Grapefruit
The grapefruit we know today was developed in the West Indies in the early 1700s and first introduced to Florida in the 1820s. Grapefruit is a very nutritious low-calorie fruit (66-84 calories per serving), packed with vitamin C, minerals and fiber, as well as being a very low glycemic fruit. Because of low calories, high fiber and low glycemic index, it is believed to possibly reduce insulin levels and help dieters feel full and eat fewer calories. It’s definitely a great addition to your weight loss menus.
They contain pectin which studies show helps lower cholesterol. It’s also been shown to reduce your risk of calcium oxalate kidney stones. The pink variety contains lycopene, a powerful phytonutrient and limonoids, shown to possess cancer protective properties and inhibit tumor growth.
There is one caution however: grapefruit juice, other grapefruit products and certain other citrus fruits can interfere with several kinds of prescription medications and some can cause potentially dangerous health problems. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before consuming any grapefruit products or citrus fruits if you take prescription medications. Excessive consumption of any citrus juices can leach calcium from the body system, causing decay of the bones and teeth.
Honey
Honey is one of my favorite “super” foods! It is naturally produced by bees as food for themselves. When bees take nectar from a flower, it mixes with chemicals in their saliva to create honey, which they store in hives. It comes in different varieties and flavors depending on the type of flower it comes from.
Honey is one of the foods mentioned often in the Bible and in fact the Promised Land was described as a “land flowing with milk and honey.” Besides being a wonderful, natural sweetener, raw honey is a nutritional powerhouse! It contains anti-oxidants, an anti-infective component and has been used to heal coughs, intestinal ailments and skin wounds. It also has several components that increase immunity and have been studied in cancer prevention and treatment. It also has unusual antibacterial activity that effectively kill many different drug resistant bacteria, including E. coli.
Buckwheat honey has been found to be a more effective cough remedy than dextromethorphan for children from two to eighteen years; honey promotes wound healing because the two primary sugars that make honey (fructose and glucose) both attract water. When applied to an open wound, it absorbs the fluid in the wound. Most bacteria need a moist environment to grow; honey makes the wound drier. It has also been proven to heal burns more quickly.
Notice I specified raw, unprocessed honey. When you purchase the honey you usually find in the supermarket it has been heated and processed and much of the nutritional and health benefits are destroyed. So, be sure to look for raw, unheated honey which is readily available from the supermarket as well as your health food store.
If you have blood sugar issues you may be totally avoiding honey, but studies have shown that compared to other sweeteners, honey is much better tolerated by the body, leading to better blood sugar control and sensitivity to insulin.
One of the strongest and most effective kinds of honey is manuka honey. This honey has proven itself the most effective cure for acid reflux and studies show it can destroy H pylori bacteria, which causes ulcers. It’s extremely expensive, but may be worth the price if you have either of these conditions.
There is one caution: Avoid feeding honey to children under the age of two years. It is possible for honey to sometimes contain the bacteria that causes botulism food poisoning, an often fatal infection. Consume them only in moderation.
Take a step:
Here’s what to look for when buying grapefruit: The fruits should be heavy for their size as this usually indicates that they feature thin skins and therefore a higher concentration of juicier flesh. Avoid overly rough or wrinkled skin usually tends to be thick. They should be firm, yet slightly springy when gentle pressure is applied. While chilled grapefruits do not have an apparent fragrance, those kept at room temperature should have a subtly sweet aroma. You can purchase them all year ‘round but the height of the season ranges from winter through early spring.
Be sure they are fully ripened as this means they have the highest antioxidant level and avoid any that are overly soft at the stem end, which indicates decay. Also, let the fruit reach room temperature before serving so it has the most flavor and juiciness.
I don’t drink juices as I prefer whole fruit that contains the fiber as well, but when I fast every month I do use an unsweetened grapefruit juice mixed with a scoop of my green food once a day.
When purchasing honey, be sure to find one that is raw and unheated in order to get the most nutrition. I enjoy my cup of green tea every morning with a bit of raw, natural honey.
You can combine these two nutritional powerhouses by cutting grapefruit in half and sectioning. Broil the fruit for several minutes and then drizzle a teaspoon of raw honey for a very healthy and delicious snack or dessert!
Until next time, I wish you vibrant health!
Ann
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