Kiwifruit: Top Health Benefits

Kiwifruit is a nutrient-dense fruit and extensive research over the last decade on the health benefits of kiwifruit. It is a small, plum-sized fruit with fuzzy, brown skin, bright green flesh and small black seeds. It has linked their regular consumption to improvements not only in nutritional status, but also benefits to digestive, immune and metabolic health.

Source of Vitamin-C

Kiwifruit is exceptionally high in vitamin-C, a nutrient that helps protect your cells from oxidative damage and plays many other important roles in the body. Studies show that eating kiwi can help to reach optimal blood levels of vitamin-C. A 2012 study in 15 males with low vitamin-C levels demonstrated that eating one kiwifruit per day for 6 weeks was enough to reach “healthy” vitamin-C levels.

Digestive health

Kiwi fruit, rich in fiber support digestive regularity. It also contains an enzyme called actinidin, which facilitates the breakdown of protein, helping us more efficiently digest protein-rich foods. Kiwifruit can also be used in recipes to tenderise meat.

Heart Health

Study shows that eating kiwis, specifically, could help reduce heart disease risk factors, including high blood pressure. A study looked at the effects of eating kiwis or apples in 118 people for a week with either high normal blood pressure or stage one high blood pressure. Those who ate three kiwis in a day for 8 weeks had lower blood pressure at the end of the intervention compared with those who ate one apple per day.

Immune System

Kiwifruit is exceptionally rich in immune-supportive nutrients including the vitamins C, E, K and folate, as well as carotenoids, fiber and phytochemicals. Studies suggest that they may support the immune system and potentially reduce the incidence and severity of colds and flu-like symptoms in susceptible groups such as older people and children.

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