Pomelo – 12 Health Benefits, Uses, and Side-effects

Pomelo plays an essential role in improving your physical health. These fresh nutritious fruits are suitable for the health of your body. These fruits are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and nutrients. One such excellent fruit rich in various nutrients is pomelo. This article describes the health benefits of pomelo.

What is Pomelo?

Pomelo is a spicy, sweet-tasting nutritious fruit packed with many health benefits. Pomelo is a plant belonging to the Rutaceae family, cultivated for its large sweet fruit. Pomelo is a citrus fruit native to Southeast Asia. The scientific name of pomelo is citrus maxima. Pomelo is traditionally used to treat gastrointestinal problems, cough and fever. Pomelo is rich in vitamin C, antioxidants and minerals. It can help boost the immune system, improve digestive health, and maintain body weight.

Benefits of Pomelo

Plant Description

Pomelo trees can grow to a height of 5-15 m (17-50 ft). Leaf petioles are distinctly granular, alternate, ovate, or elliptic 5-20 cm (2-8 inches) long, with leathery, dull green upper layer, and hairy lower leaves. The flowers are fragrant and yellowish-white, singly or in groups. The fruit is large, 15-25 cm (6-10 inches) in diameter, usually weighing 1-2 kg. It has a thick rind and is divided into 10 to 18 segments. The meat tastes sweet and sour, usually with little bitterness. The fruit usually contains numerous seeds. 

Nutritional value per 100 g of Pomelo/Citrus maxima

Nutrients Value 
Energy 159 kj (38 kcal)
Carbohydrates 9.62 g 
Dietary fiber 1 g 
Fat 0.04 g 
Protein 0.76 g 

Nutritional value of vitamins per 100 g of Pomelo/Citrus maxima

Vitamins Quantity 
Thiamine (B1) 0.034 mg 
Riboflavin (B2) 0.027 mg 
Niacin (B3) 0.22 mg 
Vitamin B6 0.036 mg 
Vitamin C 61 mg 

Nutritional value of minerals per 100 g of Pomelo/Citrus maxima

Minerals Quantity 
Iron 0.11 mg 
Manganese  0.017 mg 
Phosphorus 17 mg 
Potassium 216 mg 
Sodium 1 mg 
Zinc 0.08 mg

Other constituents per 100 g of Pomelo/Citrus maxima

Other constituents Quantity 
Water 89 g

Benefits of Pomelo

1. May boosts immunity

Pomelo fruit is rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant and attacks free radicals. It increases microbial killing and phagocytosis. It can treat and prevent systemic infections and many respiratory problems. Therefore, adding pomelo to your diet can improve your immune system.

2. May aid digestion

Pomelo is rich in dietary fiber. Dietary fiber helps preserve normal bowel movements, prevent constipation and prevent hemorrhoids. A study in China suggests that adding more dietary fiber to your diet can help maintain the health of your intestinal bacteria. (1)

3. May promote weight loss

Pomelo contains high dietary fiber, high-fiber foods stay in the stomach longer and reduce regular hunger pangs. Keeping them requires time to chew more, thus giving the body a longer time to feel satisfied and reducing the risk of overeating. However, more long-term research focusing on the weight loss effects of pomelo is needed.

Read Also: Passion Fruit – 12 Health Benefits, Uses, and Side-effects

4. May improve bone health

Pomelo contains minerals like calcium, iron, copper, zinc and manganese. These minerals are essential for improving and maintaining bone health. Adding pomelo to your diet in your daily routine can help your bones become healthier and stronger.

5. May regulate blood pressure

Pomelo juice contains potassium, which is a major nutrient for controlling blood pressure. Potassium is a vasodilator that releases the tension in blood vessels to maintain blood pressure. Drinking pomelo juice at night helps to control your blood pressure and prevent high blood pressure.

6. May boost heart health

Pomelo contains antioxidants such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid which have been shown to reduce triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol and heart risk in rats. However, more research is needed to understand these benefits in humans.

7. Fosters healthy eyesight

Pomelo contains significant amounts of vitamin A, which is important for protection against vision-related disorders in old age, such as glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This pomelo fruit pale contains ample amounts of carotenoid antioxidants lutein and beta-carotene, which thwart harmful free radicals from oxidizing healthy osteoid cells, and tissues to enhance clear vision and improve eye health.

Read Also: Sapodilla Fruit – Health Benefits, Uses, Nutritional Value, and Side-effect

8. Reduce skin inflammation

The pomelo contains several essential amino acids that help create healthy skin cells and also suppress any redness and swelling that develops on skin exposed to harsh environmental conditions. Its high flavonoid content features antioxidants to help damage, acne, scars and blemishes and reduce skin burns.

9. Supports hair growth

Pomelo fruit benefits the skin and also increases hair growth and thickness. The vitamin C and antioxidant content in the fruit and juice of pomelo helps to strengthen the hair roots called follicles, which helps in the growth of long and strong locks of hair. It assures complete removal of harmful free radicals that cause weak and brittle hair and continuous hair loss. Vitamins renew healthy hair development.

10. May help manage diabetes

Pomelo can help control diabetes. A study of 20 people with diabetes found that although pomelo has a high glycemic index (GI), it can serve as a low glycemic load (GL) fruit when consumed in limited quantities. Therefore, it can help maintain blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.

11. May promote healthy gums

Pomelo is an excellent source of vitamin C. Ascorbic acid deficiency has been associated with the development of gingivitis. Therefore, you can start eating pomelo to strengthen your gums and prevent dental problems.

Read Also: 12+ Medicinal Uses and Benefits of Dragon Fruit

12. Fight against cancer cells

The polysaccharides in pomelo can help fight cancerous tumors. The leaves of the pomelo fruit also have anti-cancer and antitumor properties.

Naringenin, an antioxidant, has been shown in experimental studies to inhibit the growth of lung cancer, prostate cancer, and pancreatic cancer cells. Of course, more research is needed to understand the real-world application of this anti-cancer effect of pomelo on cancer.

Uses of Pomelo

We can eat pomelo fresh and make juice from it. It can also be used in combination with different food items.

Side effects of Pomelo

  • Avoid eating pomelo if you have allergies, as it can lead to serious hypersensitivity situations.
  • Do not take too much pomelo as it can cause severely high stomach acid levels.
  •  If you are suffering from kidney and liver conditions, be careful when eating pomelo.

Therefore, considering the benefits and harms of pomelo, it should be used in the right amount as excessive use of any product can harm your health. Its use should be avoided in certain physical conditions. The above is information provided for general knowledge only based on the usage prevalent in the folk society. It is recommended to consult a doctor before using pomelo in medicinal fields. 

Conclusion

The information discussed in this article has introduced you to the health benefits of pomelo. In this article, you will learn about the benefits, harms, uses and information of pomelo. I hope the information mentioned in this article will be useful to you. Thank you!

FAQ

1. Pomelo is beneficial for what?

Ans: Pomelo is traditionally used to treat gastrointestinal problems, coughs and fevers. Pomelo is rich in vitamin C, antioxidants and minerals. Pomelo can help boost the immune system, improve digestive health, and maintain body weight.

2. Is pomelo good for hair health?

Ans: Pomelo also increases hair growth and thickness. The vitamin C and antioxidant content of pomelo fruit and juice helps to strengthen the hair roots called follicles, promoting hair lengthening and strengthening.

3. Pomelo belongs to which family of plants?

Ans: Pomelo belongs to the Rutaceae family of plants.

4. What is the scientific name of pomelo?

Ans: The scientific name of pomelo is Citrus maxima.

5. Can I consume pomelo daily?

Ans: Yes, you can consume pomelo daily. 

1 thought on “Pomelo – 12 Health Benefits, Uses, and Side-effects”

  1. Thank you, I found this information very helpful. This is a new fruit for me to eat. I have just discovered them in my food market.t

    Reply

Leave a Comment