As a family caregiver, you know how important it is for your aging loved one to eat a balanced, healthy diet throughout their later years. What your parent eats makes a tremendous impact on their health and well-being, and their ability to resist a variety of complications and issues, such as weight gain cardiovascular disease, and even some forms of cancer. February is Grapefruit Month. This is the ideal opportunity for you to learn about the potential health benefits of enjoying more grapefruit and other citrus fruits as a regular part of your loved one’s care routine.

Some of the health benefits of grapefruit and other citrus fruits during Grapefruit Month and throughout the rest of the year include:

Help with weight loss

There is a reason why you often see people trying to lose weight reaching for grapefruit. Not only does this fruit contain very few calories, but studies have shown that it can actually promote weight loss. In a study, participants were given either fresh grapefruit, grapefruit juice, grapefruit capsules, or a placebo. The group that received the fresh grapefruit lost the most weight.

Reduce stroke risk

Stroke is one of the most pressing risks for elderly adults, but the American Heart Association says that eating more citrus fruits, including grapefruit, can reduce the risk of experiencing an ischemic stroke among women by as much as 19 percent.

Improved cardiovascular health

Studies have shown that consuming high amounts of potassium each day can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by 49 percent. Grapefruits are a good source of potassium, as well as lycopene, vitamin C, fiber, and choline, all of which are important for keeping their heart healthy and strong.

Improved immune system

One of the leading benefits of consuming citrus fruits regularly is improved immune response. Citrus fruits contain high doses of vitamin C, an antioxidant that supports the immune system, helping to reduce the risk of infection and illness. This is particularly important for elderly adults, who already deal with lower immune systems and greater vulnerability to serious complications such as pneumonia.

Starting senior care for your elderly loved one can be one of the best decisions that you can make for your aging parent throughout the course of your caregiver journey with them. A senior home care services provider can understand the particular risks, challenges, and limitations that your aging parent is facing, as well as the personal lifestyle goals, preferences, and desires of your individual parent. They can then use this information to create a course of care and management that gives them the lifestyle that they desire while also helping them to stay safe, healthy, comfortable, and fulfilled throughout their later years.

When it comes to helping them stay healthier through a more balanced, varied diet, this care provider can help your parent evaluate their dietary guidelines, help them to understand what these mean, research recipes and foods that fit with these guidelines and your parent’s preferences, and provide them safe and reliable transportation to the grocery store to help them select the foods that are right for them. They can also get into the kitchen with them to help them prepare snacks and meals that will support their physical health and give them a boost in their mental and emotional well-being.

If you or an aging loved one are considering in-home senior care in Dallas, TX, please contact the caring staff at Assisting Hands of Preston Hollow today at (214) 760-6944.