Carb Counts for Grapefruit

Grapefruit Nutritional Information

Did you know that as a grapefruit ripens, the antioxidant levels increase? Try to find grapefruit that has no green color left on it, and smells like ripe fruit. Pink grapefruit contain slightly more sugar than white ones, but have more health benefits.

Carbohydrate and Fiber Counts for Grapefruit

• ½ medium white grapefruit (3¾" diameter): 9 grams effective (net) carbohydrate plus 1 gram fiber and 39 calories.

• 1 medium pink or red grapefruit (3¾" diameter): 11 grams effective (net) carbohydrate plus 2 grams fiber and 52 calories.

Glycemic Index for Grapefruit

One study of grapefruit had an average GI of 25.

More Information about the Glycemic Index

Glycemic Load of Grapefruit

• ½ medium white grapefruit (3¾" diameter): 3

• ½ medium pink or red grapefruit (3¾" diameter): 4

More Information about the Glycemic Load

Health Benefits of Grapefruit

Grapefruit are an excellent source of vitamin C. Pink grapefruit also contains lycopene, and all grapefruit contain other compounds such as limonoids which appear to have anti-cancer effects. Because of enzyme interactions, grapefruit can affect the action of some medications in your body. More About Grapefruit from About.com Sites:

• Grapefruit and Drug Interactions
• Avocado Crab Grapefruit Salad Recipe

More Information About Grapefruit at Calorie Count Plus

_Sources:

Leroux, MarcusFoster-Powell, Kaye, Holt, Susanna and Brand-Miller, Janette. "International table of glycemic index and glycemic load values: 2002." American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Vol. 76, No. 1, 5-56, (2002)

Muller, T, et al. "Colorless tetrapyrrolic chlorophyll catabolites found in ripening fruit are effective antioxidants.." Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English). 46(45):8699-702. (2007)

USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 20