Grapefruit

Also indexed as: Pink Grapefruit, Pummelo, Texas Red Grapefruit, White Grapefruit

While grapefruit are most often eaten raw, they are also delicious sliced and grilled.

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The grapefruit is a citrus fruit that grows on trees in large, grapelike clusters. The variety probably originated in Jamaica and is now common throughout the Caribbean regions, and in Texas, Arizona, California, and Florida, which grows 70 percent of the world’s supply. Grapefruits are thought to be a cross between oranges and the pummelo.

Varieties

Grapefruit can be white (really a pale yellow), pink, or red. The white variety is usually smaller and more tart than the pink. Large, ruby-red grapefruits were discovered growing in Texas in 1929. Some grapefruits are seedless.

Buying and storing tips

Choose grapefruits that feel heavy in the hand. Although the skin may appear irregularly colored, this is not generally an important factor. Avoid fruits that have soft or wet spots. Thinner-skinned fruits are usually juicier but not necessarily tastier. Grapefruits ripen when picked, and are best when stored loose at a cool room temperature, or in the refrigerator.

Availability

Fresh grapefruits are available year-round. Those grown in Arizona and California are available January through August, and grapefruit grown in Florida and Texas arrive in October and last through June.

Preparation, uses, and tips

While grapefruits are often served cut in half to be eaten raw or juiced, they can also be sliced and grilled as a side dish to serve with an entrée. Grapefruit sections or pieces can be added to fruit salads and used in desserts.

Nutritional Highlights

Grapefruit (sections; raw, pink and red), 1 cup (230g)
Calories: 74
Protein: 1.4g
Carbohydrate: 18.6g
Total Fat: 0.23g
Fiber: 2.5g
*Good source of: Vitamin C (79mg)

*Foods that are an “excellent source” of a particular nutrient provide 20% or more of the Recommended Daily Value. Foods that are a “good source” of a particular nutrient provide between 10 and 20% of the Recommended Daily Value.

Health benefits and concerns

Allergies and sensitivities (food and chemical)

A low-allergen diet, also known as an elimination diet, is often recommended to people with suspected food allergies in order to find out if avoiding common allergen foods gives relief from symptoms. This diet eliminates foods and food additives considered to be common allergens, including citrus fruits. Some popular books offer guidance to people who want to attempt this type of diet. Most elimination diets are quite restrictive and increase the likelihood of nutritional deficiencies. A successful elimination diet is usually followed by reintroduction of eliminated foods one at a time, to see which ones are truly allergens for the individual person and therefore need to be eliminated indefinitely. Strict avoidance of allergenic foods for a period of time (usually months or years) sometimes results in the foods no longer causing allergic reactions. Restrictive elimination diets and food reintroduction should be supervised by a qualified healthcare professional.

Hives

Allergy to foods and food additives is a common cause of hives, especially in chronic cases. Citrus fruits are among those foods most commonly reported to trigger hives. Numerous clinical studies demonstrate that diets that are free of foods that commonly trigger allergic reactions typically produce significant reductions in symptoms in 50–75% of people with chronic hives. People with hives should investigate the possibility that food allergies are causing their problem by consulting with a doctor.

Kidney stones

Citric acid is found in citrus fruits and may protect against kidney stone formation. Lemons are the best food source commonly available. One preliminary trial found that drinking 2 liters (approximately 2 quarts) of lemonade per day improved the quality of the urine in ways that are associated with stone prevention. Lemonade was far more effective than orange juice. The lemonade was made by mixing 4 oz lemon juice with enough water to make 2 liters. The smallest amount of sweetener possible should be added to make the taste acceptable. Further study is necessary, however, to determine if lemonade can prevent recurrence of kidney stones.

Health benefits and concerns for fruit
Many health benefits and concerns associated with this food are applicable to other fruit. Read about health benefits and concerns for fruit for a full description.

The information presented in this website is for informational purposes only and was created by a team of U.S. registered dietitians and food experts. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements, making dietary changes, or before making any changes in prescribed medications.