About Kiwi Fruit
Kiwi fruit or Chinese gooseberry (Actinidia chinensis), botanical A. deliciosa traces its origins in the Chang Kiang valley of China. This fruit has twining vine growing up to 30 ft (9 m) and is an edible berry which is oval shaped, nearly the size of a hen’s egg. The following are the various health benefits of kiwi fruit.
Health Benefit 1: Boost Digestion
The protein-dissolving enzyme actinidain in raw kiwi fruit assists in digesting proteins such as papain and Bromelain in papaya and pineapple respectively. The high fiber in the fruit aids in preventing constipation as well as other intestinal problems.
Health Benefit 2: Regulates Blood Pressure
Kiwi fruit contains high amount potassium which aids in maintaining electrolytic balance in the body hence maintaining an ideal potassium-sodium balance.
Health benefit 3: Prevents DNA Damage
The antioxidants in Kiwi fruit have been found to assist in preventing oxidation from causing cell DNA damage. It’s argued by scientists that kiwi fruit also helps in preventing cancer.
Health Benefit 4: Promotes a Strong Immune System
The high concentration of vitamin C in kiwi fruit together with other antioxidants aid in boosting the body’s immune system.
Health Benefit 5: Assist in Weight Loss
Kiwi fruit scores low in the Glycemic index (GI) due to its high fiber content. As such, it prevents an insulin surge like other fruits with high sugars, so no extra fat is store in the body, causing weight gain.
Health Benefit 6: Detoxifier
The high fiber content in kiwi fruit aids in elimination of toxins from the intestinal tract. The fact that it’s a good source of vitamin C helps in making it a great detoxifier.
Health Benefit 7: Cardiovascular Health
Instead of taking aspirin to thin blood so as to prevent clotting, kiwi fruit contains anti-clotting factor which helps in thinning blood. It has no side effects, unlike aspirin which may cause intestinal bleeding and inflammation.
Health Benefit 8: Wonder Fruit for Diabetics
As earlier noted, kiwi fruit sores low in the GI) GI of 4) hence does not cause a surge in blood sugar. This makes it an ideal food for diabetics.
Health Benefit 9: Ocular Health
Kiwi fruit promotes eye health by warding off eye disorders such as macular degeneration and poor vision. This is because kiwi fruit is believed to contain high levels of lutein and zea-xanthin, two natural chemicals found in the human eye.
Health Benefit 10: Offers Alkaline Balance
Kiwi is classified as an alkaline fruit hence assists in replacing the acidity of acid foods in the body. As such, it creates an acid-alkaline balance in the body which is necessary for fighting diseases such as osteoporosis, cold and arthritis.
Health Benefit 11: Skin Health
Kiwi fruit contains vitamin E, a well known anti-oxidant that wards s skin degeneration.
Health Benefit 12: Organic Food
Kiwi fruit is listed as an organic food, that is, it is free from pesticide residues. Actually, it is in the top 10 safest foods.
Health Benefit 13: Respiratory health
Kiwi fruit helps combat wheezing coughing especially at night. Syrup made of kiwi fruit, honey and crushed aniseed aids in stopping shortness of breath and bouts coughing.
Image Credit : “Keith S Brown (Ksbrown)”
