Grapefruit Fiber Cleanse

The grapefruit has many health benefits, including high levels of vitamin C and antioxidants. One of the grapefruit's lesser-known benefits is derived from the pectin it contains. Pectin is a soluble fiber with many cleansing properties that can help to lower cholesterol, prevent kidney stones, protect against lung and colon cancer and detoxify the body.

The Grapefruit's Benefits

• In addition to vitamin C, grapefruit contains vitamin A, potassium, folate, calcium, iron, lycopene, and antioxidants. It can help to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. The lycopene found in grapefruit can reduce the risk of certain cancers, especially prostate cancer, as can a grapefruit's antioxidants.

Grapefruit Fiber

• Grapefruit contains pectin, a soluble fiber that can bind to cholesterol and prevent it from building up in the arteries, thus preventing heart disease and lowering cholesterol levels. Grapefruit pectin helps to maintain low blood sugar levels, helping you to feel full and satisfied and preventing the sudden spikes in blood sugar that make you feel hungry. Because it is a soluble fiber, pectin absorbs water and expands as it passes through the colon, adding weight to feces and helping to prevent constipation. It removes bacteria and built-up waste from the colon, helping to cleanse the colon and maintain overall colon health.

Adding Grapefruit to Your Diet

• Both blond and red grapefruit have comparable fiber levels; however, the cleansing effects of red grapefruit have been shown to be nearly twice as effective as those of blond grapefruit. Try eating half of a fresh red grapefruit daily with breakfast to lower your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. For protection against kidney stones, lung and colon cancers, and to boost the liver enzymes that eliminate toxins from the body, drink three 6-oz. glasses of grapefruit juice per day.