Pummelo: Complete Mineral Profile

Pummelo ‐ Mineral Information

Introduction

Pummelo is a large, sweet citrus fruit that has grown in popularity for its health benefits throughout recent years. Originating from Southeast Asia and related to the grapefruit, pummelos are generally round with thick skins ranging in color from light green to yellow-orange. The juicy inner flesh of the pummelo is a pinkish-white color and can have a bitter or sour taste depending on ripeness. Pummelos contain an abundant amount of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and dietary fiber that make them beneficial to our diet and overall health.

Minerals Found In Pummelos

The mineral content in pummelos may vary slightly based on their origin, maturity, growing conditions and geographical location. The average composition of minerals found in one cup (sectioned) of packed pummelo slices is listed below (1).

•Calcium – 25 mg

•Potassium – 229 mg

•Magnesium – 21 mg

•Phosphorus – 35 mg

•Iron – 0.3 mg

•Zinc – 0.2 mg

•Copper – 0.1 mg

•Selenium – 2.4 mcg

•Sodium – 5 mg

•Vitamin C – 68 mg

These minerals contribute to intense sweetening of the pummelo’s pulp and juice as well, and thus increase their appeal to consumers worldwide.

Calcium

Calcium is a macromineral necessary for many vital physiological processes in the body including nerve conduction, muscular contraction, signal transduction, blood clotting and bone formation. Furthermore, calcium also plays an important role for muscle repair and creation by enabling magnesium absorption across cell membranes and helping with protein synthesis. One cup of pummelo slices contains 25 milligrams of calcium, accounting for roughly 2% of your daily recommended intake. Calcium deficiency may lead to symptoms such as muscle cramps, brittle bones and fatigue. Adequate consumption of pummelos can help replenish Calcium levels which are crucial to many bodily functions.

Potassium

Potassium is a principal cation (an especially important ion inside cells) responsible for maintaining normal hydration balance in the body and moderating electrical potentials of neurons in humans. It helps start and maintain a regular heartbeat by controlling both heart rate and force of contractions. Potassium is involved in chemical reactions related to protein formation, energy metabolism and fat production. According to the University of Michigan Health System, adults require 4700 milligrams of potassium per day; drinking 8 ounces of grapefruit juice provide up to 500 milligrams while eating just one cup-sized section of a pummelo provides you with 229 milligrams - almost 5% of daily requirement.

Magnesium

Magnesium is another significant mineral included in pummelos and essential for healthy functioning of human organs. Magnesium reaches muscles beyond the cell membrane, assisting with movement of proteins over them. Other magnesium dependent functions include proper biochemical processes, nervous system activation and creation of new proteins in the body. Deficiency of this macroelement increases risk of high blood pressure, kidney stones and stroke. An adequate amount of pummelos helps supply your body with elements it needs and prevent disorders associated with magnesium unbalance . A single serving of this citrus fruit supplies about 21 milligrams of the mineral - approximately 4.5% of RDI (Recommended Dietary Intake).

Phosphorus

Phosphorus helps keep bones strong, provides energy to cells and regulates acidity levels in the body fluids. Being involved into metabolic processes, phosphorus modulates nucleic acids activity, prevents pH level falling and transports compounds within the organism when needed. Cell division and organ regeneration depend directly on phosphorous absorbing and delivering oxygen molecules to each tissue. RDA (required daily allowance) varies between 700 and 1250 milligrams depending on age and gender. Just one cup of prepared pummelo sections accounts for 35 milligrams of phosphorus.

Iron

An essential metal primarily found in hemoglobin, iron carries oxygen around the body through cells to be used in fatty acid and energy production. Iron binds to biomolecules and initiates far greater number of chemical reactions than any other trace elements do. Heme iron like that present in shellfish and red meat, and non-heme iron in plant products can be absorbed differently by human body. Each cup of pummelo pulp is ready to provide people deficient in iron with small yet nutritionary portion of the element: 0.3 milligrams. Symptoms caused by lack of iron range from headaches and fatigue to paleness and chest pain.

Zinc

Zinc supports upkeep of cortisol levels, hormones balancing and cell differentiation within the body. Zinc is actively involved in wound healing due to its properties in collagen formation and antibody secretion responsible for immune protection. Women should consume at least 9 milligrams daily, while men need to get 11 milligrams worth of zinc. With only 0.21 milligram of zinc in a single cup of strained pummelo, additional supplementation can still be required.

Copper

Being a part of various enzymes, copper manages formation of cellular tissues and mediates response to surroundings. It conveys neurological messages and eliminates bacteria stimulating antibiotic agents development outside the body. Even slight copper insufficiency weakens immune system and increases chances on developing chronic illnesses. Every cup of prepared pummelo slices delivers only 0.13 milligrams out of 900-milligram RDA but it certainly adds up when other foods containing satisfactory amount of copper add up.

Selenium

Having great anti-oxidant abilities, selenium captures free radicals entering the human body and produces glutathione protecting cells against oxidation. Selenium energizes reproduction process when trying to conceive and assists metamorphosis from fetus to newborn. Consumption of pummelos gives a chance to not exceed recommended daily dose of 45 micrograms composed vast majority of selenoaminoacids: alpha lipoic acid which is detrimental for DNA integrity and catalase catalyzing multiple reactive Oxygen species (ROS). 2.43 micrograms in 1 cup of sliced pummelo might appear very little pay off however, excessive amounts of selenium can cause skin lesions, hair loss, stomach distress, Garlic breath smell and poor tooth wear down.

Sodium

Organisms normally utilize sodium as intra- and extracellular molecule releasing electrolytes along the bloodstream. Its main roles are regulation of water and osmotic pressures in animal bodies plus keeping biocarbonate qualities at optimum during pregnancy period. Although 230-2490 milligram represent optimal intake of salt for human being, most individuals break this healthy norm deliberately, partially because decently salted food tastes better. For those who attempt to take no more than 2600-4600 milligrams annually, half cup of cut pummelo portions offers precisely 5 mg combined with supplying body with potassium and bringing benefits to an individual.

Conclusion

Studies suggest that eating pummelos will give you access to key minerals and other biological compounds necessary for normal and prolonged health. One cup of pummelo contents provides mentioned above minerals in quantities adequate enough to facilitate general well-being and replace other aggravators like sodium chloride with natural alternative. Having said all that, to achieve balanced diet consistent with personal daily nutritional requirements and availability of certain types of bioactive compounds everybody ought to consider including these miracle fruits into the menu.