A trip to your local supermarket can make you avail of oranges, pomelo, and grapefruits, which are rich in antioxidants and Vitamin C that can strengthen your body.
Boosting one's health might be one of an individual's priorities, especially when SARS-CoV-2, a virus that causes COVID-19, is just lurking around the corner waiting to infect people.
Drinking supplements and engaging in a healthy diet and lifestyle might be one of your ways to reinforce the body and help fight possible infection of the notorious virus.
One way to strengthen your body and boost your immunity is by eating vegetables and fruits like grapefruit rich in Vitamin C. But did you know that eating grapefruit have risks?
Dangers of Eating Grapefruit
Appeared in the 18th century as a product of crossing pomelo and an orange, according to Medical News Today, this fruit has a flavor that can range from sour to bittersweet.
Apart from having red flesh and an adorable shape, Active beat reminds us that grapefruit can contribute to kidney failure. The site points out that grapefruits contain large potassium, which is harmful to the kidneys if they already have compromised functioning.
Active beat adds that when the kidney cannot filter out so much potassium in the blood, hyperkalemia can happen to conclude that grapefruits should cautiously be eaten when you have renal disease.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stresses that drinking grapefruit juice, as well as eating the fruit itself, can affect some of the counter prescription drugs (OTC).
The federal agency also emphasizes that statin drugs, anti-anxiety medications, organ transplant rejection drugs, antihistamines, a corticosteroid that treat ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, and drugs treating abnormal heart rhythms and high blood pressure can be affected by drinking grapefruit juice or eating the fruit itself.
University Hospitals furthers that grapefruits and oranges' high acidity relaxes the esophagus that causes or worsens the heartburn symptoms.
Benefits of Grapefruit
At this point, you might be thinking of removing grapefruit from your grocery list. Although this fruit carries risk, especially if you have renal disease and taking some of the prescription drugs stated above, this fruit still has benefits.
According to Healthline, these fruits in low in calories but high in nutrients. They emphasized that this fruit is one of the foods with the lowest calories and provides a decent amount of fiber, which is beneficial to your gut health.
Medical News Today also mentions a study that demonstrates grapefruit improving blood pressure and lipid levels in the blood. Other studies suggest grapefruit have long term benefits for obesity prevention and weight loss.
Well and Good points out that this fruit is excellent for the immune system because it is rich in Vitamin A, C, and E, a trifecta that, according to the site, works together to keep the immune system in tip-top shape.
Although grapefruits are getting a bad rap due to its dangers they can bring, it is also essential to take note of their benefits. Remember that moderation is always the key to a healthy and active lifestyle.
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