Eating 2 grapefruits daily for half a month can reduce gum bleeding.
The reason may be due to the increase in vitamin C levels in the blood—this micronutrient helps heal damage caused by free radical molecules, according to a study team at Friedrich Schiller University (Germany) published in the Dental journal of the UK.
In the study, 58 patients with chronic gum disease who had low serum vitamin C levels at the start of the trial were examined. The average vitamin C levels in the smoking group were 29% lower than in the non-smoking group. After consuming grapefruit consistently for 2 weeks, all participants showed an increase in vitamin C levels. The smoking group nearly doubled their intake, but due to their initially low levels, the overall results remained lower compared to non-smokers.
On average, one grapefruit contains nearly 92.5 mg of vitamin C. Experts suggest that a balanced and healthy diet typically provides sufficient levels of this vitamin. However, since the body cannot store excess vitamin C, it is necessary to supplement it regularly.
Smoking is considered a leading factor in gum disease. This may be due to tobacco affecting the body’s metabolism of vitamin C or because smokers often have poorer dietary habits.
One important note is to avoid brushing your teeth immediately after eating grapefruit, as acidic fruits can weaken tooth enamel and lead to erosion.
Mỹ Linh (according to BBC)
