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Vitamin C (also
known as ascorbic acid)
How does vitamin C help?
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Acts as a scavenger to harmful elements in your body.
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One of the most
powerful antioxidants, vitamin C neutralizes
free radicals (harmful elements naturally
occurring within the body and through
environmental factors) Vitamin C also helps the
maintain a healthy body.
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Increases iron absorption.
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As many as 20
percent of all women, and up to 80 percent of
women who exercise, may be iron deficient.
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Vitamin C can
help boost the absorption of non-heme iron (the
iron found in plants, not meat products). So
including a glass of grapefruit juice before
eating a spinach salad helps your body absorb
two to four times as much iron.
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Supports a healthy immune system.
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When you feel
that tickle in the back of your throat and your
nose starts running, it is important to give
your body the fluids and nutrients it craves to
stay healthy. A serving of grapefruit juice can
provide vitamin C and a host of other nutrients
to keep your immune system strong and healthy.
An eight-ounce glass
of 100 percent grapefruit juice contains 60
milligrams of vitamin C, more than a full day's
supply!
Potassium
What does potassium do?
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It's important for maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance in
cells. It also assists in sending nerve impulses,
helps muscles contract, and releases energy from
protein, fat and carbohydrates during metabolism.
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According to the
National High Blood Pressure Education Program,
potassium plays an important role in maintaining
a healthy
cardiovascular system.
One 8-ounce glass of
grapefruit juice provides 300 milligrams of
potassium, 9 percent of the Daily Value.
Thiamin
What does thiamin do?
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Thiamin helps convert food into energy the body can use and is
needed by all cells and tissues.
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According to a
recent USDA survey, the average intake of
thiamin by women 19 to 50 years of age is
slightly below the Recommended Dietary Allowance
of 1.5 mg.
An 8-ounce glass of
grapefruit juice provides 6 percent of the Daily
Value for thiamin.
Calcium
What does calcium do?
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Calcium aids in bone and teeth, supports a healthy blood pressure
level and healthy muscle function.
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According to
recent USDA surveys, average calcium intakes for
young women and men are below recommended
amounts. The average calcium intake by women 20
to 29 years of age is about 778 milligrams per
day, and the average calcium intake by men 20 to
29 years of age is 1075 milligrams6.
Calcium-fortified
grapefruit juice is an excellent non-dairy source of
calcium that is lactose free.
Magnesium
What does magnesium do?
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Helps your body generate energy and is required for the action of
over 300 enzyme systems in your body.
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A study by the
USDA found that during moderate exercise, people
with low magnesium levels used more energy and
tired more easily than those with adequate
levels12.
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Magnesium may help maintain healthy blood pressure levels and
contribute to bone health.
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Magnesium works
hand-in-hand with calcium and phosphorus in
maintaining bone health.
An 8-ounce glass of
grapefruit juice provides 6 percent of the Daily
Value for magnesium.
Folate
What does folate do?
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Folate is essential for healthy growth and development.
An 8-ounce glass of
grapefruit juice provides 6 percent of the
recommended 400 micrograms of folate each day.
Niacin
What does niacin do?
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Niacin helps metabolize the food you eat into energy your body can
use. Niacin also is used for healthy DNA
maintenance and helps the body use calcium.
An 8-ounce glass of
grapefruit juice provides 2 percent of the Daily
Value for niacin.
Vitamin B6
What does vitamin B6 do?
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Vitamin B6 helps the body process protein and carbohydrates in food
and helps produce hemoglobin, a part of red blood
cells that carries oxygen to all parts of the
body.
An 8-ounce glass of
grapefruit juice provides 4 percent of the Daily
Value for vitamin B6.
Carotenoids
What do carotenoids do?
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Carotenoids give fruits and vegetables their unique and vibrant
colors. They also act as powerful antioxidants
against free radicals that can damage cells.
Phytonutrients
What do phytonutrients do?
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Scientists believe these plant-derived components are intimately
involved in fighting cellular damaging free
radicals.
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Unlike
traditional nutrients (protein, fat, vitamins,
minerals), phytonutrients are so "new," the
recommended daily amounts considered "essential"
for health have not yet been determined.
However, the importance of phytonutrients is
steadily becoming apparent as research uncovers
more benefits, such as enabling nutrients to
work more efficiently
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to return to the orange library page.
Source:
Florida Department of Citrus
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