Pomelo (Citrus maxima or Citrus grandis), also known as shaddock or grapefruit, is called bi in Vietnam and is widely grown throughout the country, especially the Mekong Delta. The most well-known and delicious pomelos are cultivated in Tra On District, Vinh Long Province, which are called bi Nm Roi, and in Ben Tre Province, called bi da xanh.
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The fruit and its pips, rind and leaves can be used to treat many illnesses
Pomelo (Citrus maxima or Citrus grandis), also known as shaddock or grapefruit, is called bi in Vietnam and is widely grown throughout the country, especially the Mekong Delta. The most well-known and delicious pomelos are cultivated in Tra On District, Vinh Long Province, which are called bi Nm Roi, and in Ben Tre Province, called bi da xanh.
The juice taken from crushed pomelo pulp contains sugar, citric acid, calcium, phosphorus, potassium and vitamins A, B1 and C. As a result, it can be used to cure several illnesses.
Pomelo juice has long been used to relieve fever, colds and flu. Its nutrients can help the body recover quickly after being attacked by the aforementioned illnesses.
The pomelo is very good for digestion. Intake of pomelo pulp or juice helps boost the functioning of the stomach and relieve indigestion and flatulence. Regular intake of pomelo pulp can also help reduce the risk of rheumatism.
Drinking a glass of pomelo juice in the morning is highly recommended to fight constipation. The juice is a natural laxative that helps stimulate the functioning of the large intestine and other related organs.
Those with diabetes are advised to eat a pomelo every day as a way to reduce the intake of carbohydrates and thus lower the blood sugar.
As pomelo juice is rich in vitamin C and potassium, those who urinate irregularly because of liver, kidney or heart problems should drink pomelo juice frequently to cure their urinary disorders.
Studies conducted by U.S. scientists show that intake of pomelos every day can help lose extra weights efficiently. Regular intake of fresh pomelo pulp during daily meals is the most efficient way for those suffering from obesity, followed by the intake of pomelo juice, and then pomelo extract. The reason is that the pomelo helps decrease the secretion of insulin in the body, which facilitates weight loss.
The pomelo has abundant flavonoids, a natural antioxidant that can help protect the body against the formation of cancerous cells or tumors. Those pomelos with pink or red pulp have a high content of lycopene, an antioxidant that can help reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
Studies conducted by U.S. nutritionists also show that drinking about half a liter of pomelo juice a day can help dilute the harmful effect of cancer-causing chemicals in cigarette smoke.
In traditional Vietnamese medicine, fresh pomelo leaves are often boiled with some other aromatic herbs and used as an aerosol to relieve colds, flu and headache. Pomelo rind is also used to treat indigestion, stomachache and coughing. Pomelo pips are often roasted into charcoal, which is used to treat head skin infection for children.
(Source: SGT)
