Seems the old adage should say ‘A grapefruit a day keeps the Doctor away’ as this glorious fruit seems to pack more goodies than the average medicine chest!!

Like other citrus fruits, grapefruit is rich in Vitamin C and even our grandmothers knew the benefits of vitamin C when it comes to treating that most intractable of diseases, the common cold! But that isn’t all Vitamin C can do. Believe it or not, but recent research tends to show that Vitamin C can also support our immune systems as well as helping to protect us from strokes, cancer and heart disease. Patients who suffer from asthma and arthritis are also advised to take Vitamin C to relieve their suffering.

But that is only a small percentage of what the grapefruit, or its juice if you prefer it, can do because grapefruits also contain Vitamin A, as well as potassium and pectin. Now pectin, apart from gelling your homemade jams and jellies, is actually a soluble fibre which helps to keep our blood vessels clear by reducing the build-up of plaque and this in turn reduces cholesterol in the blood. Of course if you only drink the juice you may miss out on the fibre, but the ruby red juice does contain lycopene an antioxidant noted for reducing the damage to the artery walls caused by LDL more commonly known as ‘bad’ cholesterol.

Recent publications give credence to the grapefruit’s cancer fighting properties. As men age and their cells divide over and over again, the chance of a mutation occurring in their DNA is greatly enhanced leading to, among other things, cancer in the prostate gland. Grapefruits, it has been shown, can aid the repair of damaged DNA in prostate cancer cells. Regular consumption of grapefruit juice (or indeed orange or apple juice) has also been shown to be beneficial to the kidneys, where it may slow the formation of stones, and the liver where it acts as a detoxifier.

For many of you the best news about grapefruits is their ability to help you lose those stubborn pounds! A study of 100 patients showed that those who ate grapefruit and/or drank its juice were much more successful in shedding weight than those who did not. Of course eating grapefruit alone or drinking its juice is not going to make you lose weight; it must be eaten or drunk as part of a sensible diet and exercise regime.

This miracle fruit, it is believed, originated in Barbados and is probably kin to the orange and the pomelo. If its origins are however a little obscure, there can be no doubt at all about its benefits to our general health while fighting chronic and serious diseases as well as obesity. But just one word of warning, if you are taking any prescription medicine, please check with your health professional before going bananas about grapefruit as it is always better to be cautious about any change in your regular diet.