Kiwi – The Wonder Fruit
April 1, 2009
Kiwi, the original fruit of a Southeast-Asian vine, is cultivated and eaten all over the world. The flesh, which is a distinctive green, with tiny purplish seeds surrounding a white core, may be eaten raw or cooked. The flavor is delicate yet refreshing and tangy.
Nutrients
Kiwi contains protein, fibre and many important vitamins and minerals that help cure many ailments and diseases. It contains potassium and vitamin C. It is also a rich source of Vitamin A and E, and its black seeds can be crushed to produce kiwi fruit oil, which is very rich in Alfa-Linoleic acid (an important Omega-3 essential fatty acid).
Health benefits
Premier Antioxidant Protection
Kiwi is an excellent source of Vitamin C. This nutrient is the primary water-soluble antioxidant in the body, neutralizing free radicals that can cause damage to cells and lead to problems such as inflammation and cancer. Adequate intake of vitamin C is helpful in reducing the severity of conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma, and for preventing conditions such as colon cancer, atherosclerosis, and diabetic heart disease. Kiwifruit is also a good source of the important fat-soluble antioxidant, vitamin E. This combination of both fat- and water-soluble antioxidants makes kiwi able to provide free radical protection on all fronts.
Fiber for Blood Sugar Control Plus Cardiovascular and Colon Health
The fiber in kiwifruit can reduce high cholesterol levels, and reduce the risk of heart disease and heart attack. Fiber is also good for binding and removing toxins from the colon, which is helpful for preventing colon cancer. Kiwifruit is good for keeping the blood sugar levels of diabetic patients under control. Kiwifruit is also a good source of the minerals potassium, magnesium, copper and phosphorus.
Protection against Asthma
Eating kiwi may confer a significant protective effect against respiratory symptoms associated with asthma such as wheezing. Children who had asthma when the study began appeared to benefit the most, and protective effects were evident even among children who ate fruit only once or twice a week.
Kiwi – Delicious Way to Enjoy Cardiovascular Health
Enjoying just a couple of kiwifruit each day may significantly lower your risk for blood clots and reduce the amount of fats (triglycerides) in your blood, therefore helping to protect cardiovascular health. It also helps to reduce blood clotting but has side effects such as inflammation and bleeding in the intestinal tract, the effects of regular kiwi consumption are all beneficial.
Kiwi’s Phytonutrients Protect DNA
Kiwi contains a variety of flavonoids and carotenoids that have demonstrated antioxidant activity, these phytonutrients in kiwi may be responsible for this DNA protection. The more kiwi or citrus fruit these children consumed, the less likely they were to have respiratory-related health problems including wheezing, shortness of breath, or night coughing. These same antioxidant protective properties may have been involved in providing protection for these children.
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