Promising Health Benefits of Pomelo and how to eat them

Although it may not be as well-known as other citrus fruits, the pomelo fruit is a powerhouse of nutrition that has been linked to a long list of health benefits. In fact, promising studies show that this superstar ingredient could potentially help slow signs of aging, reduce cancer cell growth and even balance cholesterol levels. Not only that, but it’s also a great source of several essential nutrients and can provide a hearty dose of fiber, vitamin C and antioxidants in each and every serving, making it an excellent addition to your weekly meal rotation. Let’s find out the benefits of Pomelo with Topfoodss!

What is a Pomelo or Pummelo?

Pomelo is considered a citrus fruit and it is closely related to grapefruits and other members of the Citrus genus. Its scientific name is Citrus maxima. It is quite large in size and the closest in size to these kinds of citrus fruits is a grapefruit. Pomelo is primarily found in Southeast Asia, which is its native region. It is relatively less popular in other parts of the world because it typically takes eight years to grow before the seeds can begin to flower and bear any fruit. Also, much of the weight and volume of pomelo is tough and inedible, while only the inner flesh is palatable.

Ideally, the taste of pomelo is quite pleasant, with the consistency of grapefruit, (if you are lucky enough to pick the perfect fruit). This fruit is usually pale green or yellow in color, while the edible flesh inside is pulpy and white, pink, or red, depending on the variety. The history of its use dates back to at least a few hundred years, although it has likely been cultivated for far longer than that in Southeast Asian countries.

Nutrition Facts

Pomelo fruit is a good source of several important micronutrients, including vitamin  C, copper, potassium and thiamine. Plus, each serving is low in pomelo calories yet packed with fiber to keep you feeling full between meals.

One peeled pomelo fruit contains the following nutrients:

• 231 calories
• 58.5 grams carbohydrates
• 4.5 grams protein
• 0.2 grams fat
• 6 grams dietary fiber
• 371 milligrams vitamin C (412 percent DV)
• 0.3 milligrams copper (32 percent DV)
• 1320 milligrams potassium (28 percent DV)
• 0.2 milligrams thiamine (17 percent DV)
• 0.2 milligrams vitamin B6 (13 percent DV)
• 0.16 milligrams riboflavin (13 percent DV)
• 36.5 milligrams magnesium (9 percent DV)
• 104 milligrams phosphorus (8 percent DV)
• 1.3 milligrams niacin (8 percent DV)

In addition to the nutrients listed above, pomelos also contain a small amount of manganese, iron, zinc and calcium.

Health Benefits

Pomelo fruit is rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant and attacks free radicals.It enhances microbial killing and phagocytosis. It can also treat and prevent systemic infections and many respiratory problems. Therefore, adding pomelo to your diet may improve your immune system.

May Aid Digestion

Pomelo is filled with dietary fiber. Dietary fiber assists in preserving normal bowel movement, preventing constipation, and avoiding hemorrhoids.

A study conducted in China suggests that adding more dietary fiber to your diet may help in maintaining the health of your intestinal microbes.

May Promote Weight Loss

This is another area where the dietary fiber in pomelo comes into play. Foods high in fiber stay in the stomach for a longer time and reduce regular hunger pangs. They also require more chewing time, thus giving the body a long time to feel satisfied and reducing the risk of eating too much. However, more long-term research focused on the weight-loss effect of pomelo is required.

May Boost Heart Health

Pomelo contains antioxidants like polyphenols, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid that have been found to reduce the levels of triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol and cardiac risk in rats. However, more research is required to understand this benefit on humans.

Protects Against Chronic Disease

Pomelo fruits contain a wide array of antioxidants, including flavonoids such as naringin and naringenin, which are also commonly found in other citrus fruits like grapefruit, lemons, limes, oranges and yuzu fruit.

Antioxidants are vital to several aspects of health. Not only can they relieve inflammation and reduce symptoms of many autoimmune disorders, but some research also suggests that antioxidants could protect against chronic conditions, such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes.