Red and white grapefruits are a variety of one fruit, a hybrid of pomelo and orange. Grapefruits have a thick peel, large fruits and juicy pulp with a light sweetish taste and a specific aroma. Fruits with both white and red or pink flesh are very similar, but there are a number of differences between them.
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Vitamins and Minerals in Grapefruits
Both types of grapefruit are rich in vitamin C, which is important for the health of the immune system. It helps to fight the symptoms of colds and flu, reduces the development of inflammatory processes in the body. Vitamin C is important in the fight against diseases such as asthma, osteo and rheumatoid arthritis. One cup of grapefruit pulp, both white and red, contains up to 70 mg of vitamin C or 120% of the recommended daily allowance. Also, in both types of fruit there are identical doses of potassium, which is vital for the cardiovascular system. The fundamental difference between white and red grapefruit is the content of vitamin A. In red fruits, it is ten times more than in white. A cup of white grapefruit contains about 2% of the recommended daily dose, and red - about 50%. Vitamin A is important for vision, metabolic processes, it acts as an antioxidant, is responsible for the speedy healing of the skin and mucous membranes.
When buying any grapefruit, red or white, give preference to fruits that are heavier in weight than they appear. As a rule, such fruits are the most juicy. Refuse flattened fruits with a soft peel - they are stale.
In addition to these vitamins, both types of fruit contain almost the same doses of B vitamins, such as thiamine, pyrodoxin and riboflavin, as well as calcium, copper and phosphorus.
Other nutrients and calories
Red grapefruits are significantly sweeter than white. This is not surprising, since the standard dose of peeled fruit pulp with red flesh contains 1 gram more sugar than white. That is why red grapefruits and calories. The same portion contains 97 kilocalories if the fruits are red and 76 kilocalories if they are white. But white ones contain 1 gram less fiber useful for digestion. Fiber in grapefruits is represented by the beneficial insoluble pectin fiber. Scientists have proven that it protects the mucous membrane of the colon and lowers cholesterol.
Grapefruits can be stored at room temperature for a week, these fruits are stored in the refrigerator for longer, but at the same time they gradually lose their aroma and taste.
It has been proven that red varieties contain more antioxidants and lycopene, which have antitumor properties, and fight free radicals.