Test Your Grapefruit IQ!

By Joe Wilkes

1. Where was grapefruit originally cultivated? Grapefruit is unique among citrus fruits in that it is the only citrus fruit that was not brought to the Americas from the Old World. The earliest cultivation documentation is from 1750, when it was discovered in Barbados. It was brought to Florida in 1820, which is the leader in grapefruit production today.
2. How did the grapefruit get its name? It got its name because the fruits grow in clusters, like grapes. Because of this, grapefruit must be handpicked—it's one of the few fruits not harvested by machine.
3. How many pounds of grapefruit does a typical tree yield every year? The average tree yields about 350 pounds of grapefruit; some can produce up to 1,500 pounds. Six million tons are produced worldwide annually, and the United States is responsible for one-third of that total.
4. What nutrients does grapefruit provide? Grapefruit is extremely healthy and has the one of the lowest sugar contents of any fruit. Its low glycemic index is one of the reasons the "grapefruit diet" became so popular. Grapefruit was believed to have increased metabolism; however, the diet has largely been discredited. Grapefruit is a great source of vitamin C (one fruit contains an entire day's serving). It's also high in vitamin A and a great source of pectin, which helps fill you up and can help lower your cholesterol.
5. Why should you be careful about mixing grapefruit and medication? Grapefruit juice has been found to affect an enzyme that the intestine produces that can alter the performance of roughly one-third of medications on the market, including blood pressure and chemotherapy drugs and antihistamines. In some cases, it can increase the drug's properties, causing arrhythmias or other bad side effects. So check with your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking medications to see if they can have any hazardous interactions with grapefruit juice.