It’s that time again, time for great beautiful juicy grapefruits to be stacked so high in our supermarkets that they are basically falling off the “grapefruit mountain” and into our carts! I am clearly excited about the grapefruit weight loss mystery and all of the other wonderful heath benefits. My best realization is the relationship between this acidic fruit and its ability to alkaline the body’s system.

I don’t understand how such an acidic tasting fruit can help with problems of acid buildup in the body. The digesting of grapefruit turns the body’s fluids to an alkaline state. So acid reflux sufferers can eat the acidic fruit and actually help their body become more alkaline. Many have said that cancer cannot live in a body that’s alkaline.

People have used the grapefruit for reducing fevers and helping the body fight off the flu. It can also be used as an antiseptic for wounds on the outside of the body. Sufferers of kidney and liver problems find the detoxifying effects of the grapefruit helpful. I always rejoice at the ability to detoxify my system.

Grapefruit weight loss- Along with the ability to detoxify (which we all know is helpful when trying to lose weight) are the enzymes that are responsible for the “fat burning” power we associate with grapefruit weight loss. I like to think that all of the beneficial side effects from grapefruits come together to encourage weight loss. I learned a great tip the other day about the smell of fresh fruit and its ability to lower appetite, and grapefruit is one of the most aromatic fruits I know of! The high fiber count is great to feel full on and the fact that the 6 grams of fiber is spilt half and half of insoluble and soluble fiber is a bonus. Insoluble fiber prevents constipation and encourages a healthy digestive system. The soluble fiber is great at lowering cholesterol. It is important to eat the “walls” of the segments to get the most fiber. I eat it like an orange, pour a little honey, or pure cane sugar over it!

Although the grapefruit will help lower cholesterol it is known for aiding in the absorption of prescription drugs. This fact might help get all of the benefits of the medication or it might cause too much to enter the blood stream. Checking with a doctor especially if on cholesterol lowering prescription or any other prescription is always recommended. Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus asthma patients are helped by its ability to reduce inflammation. For the arthritis sufferers it is said to remove and dissolve the calcium deposits in joints.

Grapefruit juice is a fast easy way to get most of the benefits without having to segment it out and pour the sugar, almost always resulting in a sheen of stickiness. I always look for grapefruit juice that has been sweetened with honey or stevia. Obviously avoiding the dreaded HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) is a natural when trying to lose weight, but it always seems to be snuck into everything!

The average grapefruit is around 70 calories, so having it as the afternoon snack is energizing, refreshing and low calorie. I can’t wait to stock up!