Pectin Fiber

The soluble pectin fiber contained in grapefruit may slow down the development of atherosclerosis. The Worlds Healthiest Foods says that eating grapefruit can lower blood levels of LDL cholesterolconsidered the bad, or harmful, cholesterol as well as your levels of triglycerides, a form of fat linked to heart disease. Some scientific evidence supports grapefruits cholesterolreducing properties. In a clinical study published in the 2006 issue of Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, researchers found that, although red grapefruit had higher antioxidant potential than white, both white and red grapefruit decreased serum lipid levels in coronary atherosclerosis patients. Although grapefruit is a good source of fiber, the fruit is low in calories, with a half of a grapefruit containing a modest 36 calories.