However, this benefit is only achieved when grapefruit is eaten properly, at the right time and to the right person, instead of being abused or eaten incorrectly.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), grapefruit contains high levels of vitamin C, flavonoids (especially naringin) and potassium, which have the effect of improving vascular endothelial function, reducing oxidative stress and supporting blood pressure regulation.
These compounds help blood vessels dilate better, thereby reducing peripheral resistance - a direct factor in high blood pressure.
A study published in the Journal of Nutrition showed that naringin and hesperidin in grapefruit help increase the production of nitric oxide (NO) - an important molecule that helps dilate blood vessels and improve blood circulation.
In middle-aged people with mild hypertension, consuming grapefruit or products rich in flavonoids from grapefruit for 8-12 weeks helps reduce average cardiac blood pressure by 4-6 mmHg.
This is especially meaningful because just 5 mmHg reducing cardiovascular blood pressure has significantly reduced the risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a diet rich in potassium helps balance the effects of sodium, thereby supporting blood pressure control and reducing the risk of cardiovascular events.
Grapefruit is one of the fruits with a relatively high potassium content but low energy, suitable for people who are overweight or have metabolic disorders.
However, WHO also notes that people with kidney disease or who are monitoring blood potassium should control their grapefruit intake and avoid consuming too much during the day.
Grapefruit should be eaten whole, keeping the shrimp and fiber to take advantage of the soluble fiber pectin, which helps slow down the absorption of sugar and stabilize blood pressure after eating. Drinking thoroughly filtered grapefruit juice will lose most of the fiber and can cause blood sugar to fluctuate more strongly.
The best time to eat is after main meals or in the middle of the session, you should not eat when hungry, especially for people with a sensitive stomach.
A special caution is that grapefruit can interact with some medications for treating blood pressure, dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disorders.
You should eat 1⁄2 grapefruit/day or 100-150g grapefruit bag
Don't eat too many fruits every day
Prioritize fresh grapefruit, limit sugary grapefruits.
