10 Kiwi Nutrition Health Benefits
- Nov 24, 2016
- 2 min read
1. Incredible Source of Antioxidant-Powered Vitamin C and E
Vitamin C levels in kiwifruit outshine oranges and provide benefits that help repair and maintain a number of body tissues and systems.
In addition, kiwi’s vitamin E content is fat-free and a strong component in lowering cholesterol and fighting free radicals. Aside from the high levels of vitamin C and E, both natural antioxidants, kiwifruit is also rich in polyphenols that have immunostimulatory activity, meaning they can prompt an immune system response.
2. Counteracts Aging and Improves Skin Health
Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies and the building block that maintains the skin, muscles, bones and tendons. It breaks down as we age and is dependent on vitamin C, which we know kiwifruit has plenty of.
According to research published in the Journal of Cellular Physiology, the polysaccharides in kiwifruit are able to double collagen synthesis in the body.
3. Improves Respiratory Health
Two studies have shown beneficial reactions in both adults and children suffering from asthma and other respiratory illnesses and infections after adding kiwifruit to their diets. Both studies concluded that the fruit was able to enhance the vitamin C concentration in the body, which was able to reduce the symptoms of the patients, including decreasing wheezing, head congestion and duration of sore throat.
4. Good for Vision and Prevention of Eye Disease
Kiwi nutrition’s supply of lutein not only protects the skin, but is also a powerful phytochemical that can prevent many diseases of the eye, including age-related macular degeneration. Lutein is able to protect the eye by filtering out damaging short-wavelength UV light.
Kiwifruit has 171 milligrams of lutein in one large fruit, which is substantially higher than almost any other fruit.
5. Aids in Digestion
The findings of the studies suggest that adding kiwi to patients’ diets introduced antioxidants and fiber, which were able produce anti-inflammatory results, as well as overall improvements in bowel function.
6. Improves the Cardiovascular System
The potassium in kiwifruit helps lower blood pressure, counteract sodium in the body and is a vasodilator, relaxing the blood vessels throughout the body. The fiber found in kiwi is also very heart-healthy, along with vitamin K, which is able to prevent the buildup of calcium in the arteries and therefore able to reduce the risk for heart attacks.
7. Bone Maintenance and Repair
Kiwifruit’s substantial supply of vitamin K is needed in your body for more than just healthy arteries. Vitamin K is needed to use calcium to make bones, which is why a vitamin K deficiency can be extremely troublesome.
8. Serotonin Puts Sleep Problems to Bed
The serotonin in kiwifruit has been shown to increase sleep time and sleep efficiency by 13 percent and 5 percent, respectively, so if you can’t sleep, kiwi may help.
9. Anticancer Effects
Both the fruit and roots of kiwi have proven inhibitory effects on human liver, lung and colon cancer cell growth.
10. Antifungal and Antibacterial Capabilities
Both green and golden kiwifruit have shown antifungal and antibacterial capabilities in several studies. The most antibiotic activity has been found in the seeds, which are commonly consumed with the fruit because of their small size.
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