Remember the "grapefruit diet"? New research indicates this sunny fruit offers much more than weight loss benefits.

Grapefruit is a low glycemic food and an excellent source of youth-promoting vitamin C. And if you opt for pink-fleshed varieties, you'll also get two important cancer-fighters: beta-carotene and lycopene.

But that's not the end of this juicy fruit's powers. The soluble fiber in grapefruit helps to lower cholesterol and naringin (found exclusively in grapefruit) may help to balance blood sugar. Grapefruit is also a powerful detoxifier and helps to protect the liver.

Some medications have dangerous interactions with grapefruit.

Glycemic Index=25
Glycemic Load=3
Antioxidant Score (ORAC)=1,548

Choose grapefruit that have thin, fine-textured, brightly colored skin. Thick skin means the fruit is "pithy" - containing less succulent fruit and more dense, bitter membrane. Grapefruit should be firm yet springy when squeezed. Store it wrapped in a plastic bag and placed in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator for up to two weeks.