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The Health Benefits of Kiwifruit

April 1, 2008 By 2 Comments

kiwifruitThe kiwi fruit is indigenous to China where the great Khans of China considered them a delicacy.

Missionaries introduced kiwi fruit to New Zealand in the early 20th century. It was originally known as yang tao, and then as the Chinese gooseberry before being named kiwi fruit in honor of the national bird of New Zealand.

Kiwifruit keeps well under refrigeration, and at approximately 0.5 degrees Celsius, may last up to 9 months.
New Zealand and Italy are the world’s top producers, and kiwi fruit are now grown worldwide.

Health Benefits of Kiwifruit

  • Cardiovascular Disease
    Results from research at the Department of Nutrition in Norway indicate that consuming kiwi fruit may be beneficial in preventing cardiovascular disease. The study demonstrated that consuming two or three kiwi fruit per day for 28 days reduced platelet aggregation (blood clots) by 18%, and lowered blood triglycerides (fat) levels by 15%.
  • Respiratory Health
    In a study of children in Italy, data collected showed that consumption of vitamin C rich foods such as kiwifruit, even in small quantities, may reduce respiratory related health problems in childhood.
  • Glycemic Index (GI)
    In a study to determine the GI of various fruits, it was concluded that kiwifruit have a low GI of 52.
  • Nutrients
    Results of a study of various fruit juices have shown kiwifruit juice to exhibit potent antioxidant effects in human plasma. Another study at the Rowett Research Institute in the UK demonstrated significant antioxidant activity of kiwifruit not attributable entirely to the vitamin C content of the fruit.
    Kiwifruit is an excellent source of vitamin C. It’s a very good source of dietary fiber. It’s a good source of the minerals potassium, magnesium, copper, and phosphorus, as well as the antioxidant vitamins E and A.

Store kiwifruit away from other fruits and vegetables that emit ethylene gas, which causes kiwifruit to become overripe quickly.
The enzyme actinidin found in kiwifruit is an allergen to some individuals and may cause allergic reactions. References:
1. The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods by Michael Murray, Joseph Pizzorno, and Lara Pizzorno.
2. Benders’ Dictionary of Nutrition and Food Technology.
3. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference.
4. Ko SH, Choi SW, Ye SK, Cho BL, Kim HS, Chung MH. Comparison of the antioxidant activities of nine different fruits in human plasma. J Med Food. 2005 Spring;8(1):41-6. PMID: 15857208.
5. Collins BH, Horská A, Hotten PM, Riddoch C, Collins AR. Kiwifruit protects against oxidative DNA damage in human cells and in vitro. Nutr Cancer. 2001;39(1):148-53. PMID: 11588897.
6. Duttaroy AK, Jørgensen A. Effects of kiwi fruit consumption on platelet aggregation and plasma lipids in healthy human volunteers. Platelets. 2004 Aug;15(5):287-92. PMID: 15370099.
7. Forastiere F, Pistelli R, Sestini P, Fortes C, Renzoni E, Rusconi F, Dell’Orco V, Ciccone G, Bisanti L. Consumption of fresh fruit rich in vitamin C and wheezing symptoms in children. Thorax. 2000 Apr;55(4):283-8. PMID: 10722767.
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Comments

  1. Crimson says:
    November 30, 2010 at 6:48 am

    Thanks for sharing the information… It was really helpful!!

    Reply
    • Wali Khan says:
      July 22, 2011 at 11:48 pm

      Dear sir,

      I am type-2 blood sugar and I am controlling below 140-160. Please advise me whether I can have Kiwi fruits. Thanks for your kind advise.

      Regards

      Reply

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