Grapefruit is harvested from the homonymous plant, the evergreen Citrus paradisi native to the Caribbean and then spread to many countries with a temperate climate.

The main producers are the United States (Florida), California and Israel.

White varieties: Marsh, Oroblanco, Duncan,  Golden, Wheeney, Melogold, Sweetie. 

Pink varieties: Marsh Pink, Ray Ruby, Redblush, Shambar, Foster, Henderson.

Red varieties: Star Ruby, Flame, Rio Red

It has a good content of citric acid, potassium, magnesium, vitamin C (1).

Grapefruit juice is one of the relatively low-calorie fruit juices, only 39 calories.

Grapefruit has a high content of polyphenols among which the class of flavonoids counts for 80% (1).  Grapefruit seed extract has demonstrated antibacterial efficacy in disinfecting denture surfaces and removing biofilms without causing deterioration on the surface of the resins (2).

Grapefruit studies

Contraindications: If grapefruit is taken in combination with certain drugs (statins, calcium blockers and others) it may cause allergies. Consult your doctor.

References_______________________________________________

(1) Grapefruit juice nutritional profile. Ivanova NN, Khomich LM, Perova IB, Eller KI.  Vopr Pitan. 2018;87(5):85-94. doi: 10.24411/0042-8833-2018-10057.

(2) Grapefruit seed extract effectively inhibits the Candida albicans biofilms development on polymethyl methacrylate denture-base resin.  Tsutsumi-Arai C, Takakusaki K, Arai Y, Terada-Ito C, Takebe Y, Imamura T, Ide S, Tatehara S, Tokuyama-Toda R, Wakabayashi N, Satomura K.  PLoS One. 2019 May 28;14(5):e0217496. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217496.