This is the best superfood for your diabetes diet!

Everyone's talking about coconut, kale, acai berries, spirulina and pitaya right now - but there's an old-timer in the book of superfoods that I recently discovered is just as great as all these new ones. Say hello to grapefruit!

Yup, grapefruit is totally a superfood. The slightly sour-tasting fruit is super-hydrating as well as filling, plus it's low in sugar which ranks it at the bottom end of the range for glycaemic load of fruits. While bananas, for example, have a glycaemic load of 11, grapefruit only has a glycaemic load of three!

If you're pre-diabetic or diabetic, this is a good thing since eating grapefruit will keep your blood sugar levels steady and won't stimulate your sweet tooth. Read on to learn about five nutrients that grapefruit contains which makes it a top superfood for diabetics.

Five reasons why diabetics should eat grapefruit

#1: It’s brimming with vitamin C
Believe it or not, but a medium-sized grapefruit packs 20% more vitamin C than a medium-sized orange – who would’ve thought? Vitamin C helps fight off harmful free radicals, keep your heart healthy and boost your immunity.
 
#2: It’s packed with soluble fibre
Grapefruit contains a soluble fibre known as pectin, which helps lower your LDL or “bad” cholesterol levels as well as control your blood glucose levels. Furthermore, fibre aids in your digestive process and prevents issues like constipation.

 
#3: It’s a great source of potassium
Bananas isn’t the only fruit that’s rich in potassium! For if you didn’t know, potassium is an essential mineral for muscle recovery as well as heart health. It may even reduce your risk of kidney stones and stroke.
 
#4: It’s loaded with lycopene
Lycopene is the phytochemical that gives bright red fruits and vegetables their hue. It boasts very impressive antioxidant as well as anti-inflammatory properties and is thought to help stave off cancer.
 
#5: It’s rich in water
Water may not technically be a nutrient, but it’s still essential to your health! A whopping 91% of grapefruit is made up of water, making it one very hydrating superfood, not to mention a fantastic post-workout snack!
 
In addition to the benefits listed above, studies have also proven that grapefruit can play a positive role in insulin resistance and weight loss. To reap these benefits, eat it as a snack, add it to a dish or even blend it into a smoothie. Just keep in mind that if you’re on medication like statin drugs, you’ll need to chat to your doctor before incorporating grapefruit into your diet as it can have adverse effects.

Tags: grapefruit, grapefruit health benefits, grapefruit blood sugar, grapefruit insulin resistance, diabetes, diabetes diet, diabetes tips, nutrition tips, blood sugar levels, insulin resistance