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Orange or grapefruit are often purchased by citrus lovers. Fruits are not only visually attractive, but also have certain benefits for the body and help in the process of losing weight.
What is healthier: orange or grapefruit?
Much is already known about the properties of fruits. All citrus fruits are sources of vitamins B, C and A. Valuable substances are contained not only in the pulp of the fruit, but also in their peel.
To compare grapefruit and orange, you need to know their characteristics.
It is known that 100 g of citrus contains enough vitamin C to fill the daily requirement by 59%, potassium by 9%, magnesium by 3%. Grapefruit pulp also contains antioxidants that help lower blood cholesterol.
It is also rich in fiber, which has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
Varieties with pink and red flesh are high in lycopene, known for its antioxidant effects.
Grapefruits help lower blood glucose levels. Their seeds have an antimicrobial effect.
Orange is considered an antioxidant and rejuvenating fruit, which helps increase metabolism and prevent many diseases. To replenish your daily dose of vitamin C, it is enough to eat one fruit a day.
Where are there more vitamins?
There is an opinion that grapefruits contain more vitamins than oranges, so to draw a conclusion, you can study the content of nutrients in both fruits.
Item name | Orange | Grapefruit |
Iron | 0.3 mg | 0.5 mg |
Calcium | 34 mg | 23 mg |
Potassium | 197 mg | 184 mg |
Copper | 0.067 mg | 0 |
Zinc | 0.2 mg | 0 |
Vitamin C | 60 mg | 45 mg |
Vitamin E | 0.2 mg | 0.3 mg |
Vitamin B1 | 0.04 mg | 0.05 mg |
Vitamin B2 | 0.03 mg | 0.03 mg |
Vitamin B3 | 0.2 mg | 0.2 mg |
Vitamin B6 | 0.06 mg | 0.04 mg |
Vitamin B9 | 5 mcg | 3 mcg |
Vitamin B5 | 0.3 mg | 0.03 mg |
The content of microelements, vitamins and minerals in an orange is higher, and accordingly, orange fruit is more healthy.
Which has more calories?
Both fruits contain the same amount of fat, but oranges contain 900 mg of protein, while grapefruits contain 700 mg. More in orange citruses and carbohydrates: 8.1 g. In grapefruits, this figure is 6.5 g. The calorie content of an orange is 43 mg. This figure for grapefruit is lower, equal to 35 mg.
It is the low calorie content that has made the tart fruit popular among losing weight women who keep a food diary.
Which is better for weight loss: orange or grapefruit?
If you study the composition of each fruit, you can conclude that the difference in their calorie content is insignificant. But it should be borne in mind that the sugar level in grapefruit is lower, as is the glycemic index. These indicators are very important for people who limit themselves to sweets. From a nutritional point of view, grapefruit is more beneficial for people who are losing weight.
You should also give preference to this fruit because of its special components. Unlike oranges, grapefruit contains the phytoncide naringin, which has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system. It also improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, normalizing digestion processes.
Another characteristic feature of grapefruit is the presence of the substance inositol. This component has the property of preventing the deposition of fat and breaking it down.
To burn up to a third of your calories, it’s enough to eat a few slices of fruit during meals.
Difference between orange and grapefruit
Although an orange and a grapefruit can be confused in a photo, in reality these fruits are significantly different from each other. When choosing fruits, you should focus not only on appearance, but also take into account their taste.
Origin story
The homeland of the orange is considered to be China, where it appeared as a result of crossing a pomelo and a tangerine.
It was brought to Europe by the Portuguese in the 15th century. It was from there that the fruit was spread throughout the Mediterranean. It is known that at first citrus was not popular, but gradually people learned about its beneficial properties. At that time, oranges were available only to the rich segment of the population, and peels were distributed to the poor.
In the 18th century, oranges came to Russia. The fruit gained great popularity under Alexander Menshikov.
In St. Petersburg there is the Oranienbaum Palace, which is equipped with many greenhouses for citrus fruits
The exact origin of grapefruit is unknown. Its homeland is considered to be Central or South America. There is a version according to which it is a mixture of pomelo and orange.
In Europe, citrus became known in the 18th century from the botanist priest G. Hughes. Gradually, the fruit spread to all countries where a subtropical climate prevails. In the 19th century it could be seen in the USA, and later in South Africa and Brazil.
Currently, grapefruit is grown safely in China, Israel and Georgia.
Description of fruits
Orange is a spherical or slightly elongated fruit, with a citrus aroma, consisting inside of several lobes with seeds. The outside of the pulp is covered with an orange peel.
There are varieties whose inside segments are colored yellow or red, which is why the taste of citrus changes
Sometimes citrus fruits are confused with each other. This occurs because certain varieties of orange, Tarocco and Sanguinello, have flesh that is red or beet-colored. Unlike grapefruit, this color is due to the presence of chemicals of volcanic origin in the fruit. Such unusual varieties are grown in Sicily. Lycopene gives grapefruit its red tint. It reduces the risk of developing cancer in the human body.
It is easy to distinguish a grapefruit from an orange: the weight of each fruit is 450-500 g. Externally, citrus can be yellow or yellow-orange with blush. Inside, the pulp consists of slices with seeds. The fruits have a pleasant citrus aroma.
The most popular are varieties with red flesh, although there are representatives with yellow and pink segments
Taste qualities
Orange pulp is sweet, slightly sour, very juicy and aromatic. Most people note a pleasant aftertaste. But there are also varieties whose slices have pronounced sourness. Such fruits are often grown for further processing.
The taste of grapefruit is ambiguous. Most people note a pronounced bitterness when eating the pulp. The taste of the slices is really sweet, tart and refreshing. And it is this bitterness that indicates the presence of the beneficial substance naringin in the fruit.
What is better to choose
Before purchasing a fruit, it is important to understand that both citrus fruits have both advantages and disadvantages. Oranges should be consumed by people who seek to compensate for the deficiency of vitamins and minerals, as well as those who do not like bitterness.
Grapefruit will appeal to those who appreciate unusual flavor combinations, and also strive to lose weight and strengthen the cardiovascular system. The ideal option would be a moderate introduction of both types of citrus fruits to the menu.
Conclusion
Orange or grapefruit are frequent guests on the table of citrus lovers. Each of the species, although they belong to the same genus, differs in composition and taste. Reasonable consumption of fruits allows you to diversify your diet and provide the body with useful substances.
