The Benefits of Kiwifruits

The kiwi, originally called the Chinese gooseberry and the “sunny peach”, was renamed the kiwi by New Zealand natives after their national bird. There are over 400 varieties of this fuzzy fruit. Lots of studies have revealed the fact that those who eat kiwis have less trouble with wheezing, shortness of breath and coughing  when they consumed 5-7 servings of kiwi. Those who suffers from asthma also benefited from the kiwi’s nutrients. Another study demonstrated that eating 2-3 kiwi fruits a day reduces the potential for blood clots and decreases triglycerides.

 

The Benefits of Kiwis

Helps Digestion

Raw kiwi contains a substance called actinidain, a protein-dissolving enzyme that helps you digest a meal much like the papain in papaya or bromelain in pineapple. Because it is also a  rich source of fibers, you won’t have any problems with constipation or intestinal disorders.

Manages Blood Pressure

Kiwi’s high level of potassium helps keep the  electrolytes in balance by counteracting the effects of sodium. Just a few serving a kiwis a day can help you keep your blood pressure in balance.

Boosts the Immunity

Kiwi’s high vitamin C content along with some other strong antioxidants have proven to increase the immune system.

Heart Diseases

Eating 2-3 kiwis on a daily basis has shown to reduce the potential of blood clotting by 18% and reduce triglycerides by 15%. Eating 3 kiwis a days also prevents build up deposits and plaques in the arteries .

Fights Male Impotency

These fruits contain amino acid arginine, which are substances known to treat impotence in men.

Great For Diabetics

Kiwi is in the low category for glycemic index, so this means it does not raise your blood sugar. It has a glycemic load of 4 which means it is safe for diabetics to enjoy.

Macular Degeneration and Other Eye Problems

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss. A  showed that eating 3 or more servings of kiwi per day decreased macular degeneration by 36%. This is thought to be related with the high levels of lutein and zeaxanthin .

Great for the Skin

Kiwis are a great source of vitamin E, an antioxidant known to protect skin from the degeneration process.

Cautions!

Kiwifruit contain oxalates, a naturally occurring substance in many plants and animals. When oxalates become too concentrated in body fluids, they can crystallize and lead to health problems. People with kidney or gallbladder disorders should avoid these fruits. Kiwis also contain enzymes which are associated with the latex-fruit allergy syndrome. If you have a latex allergy that you are aware of,  you can experience allergies to this fruit.

The key to enjoying kiwifruit is to eat it ripe. Kiwifruit can be eaten at any hour of the day. Start your day with a smoothie or make kiwifruit pancakes for breakfast. For lunch, add the green fruit to your salad. You can even use kiwifruit as a marinade for meats or make a healthy dessert sauce to top an ice cream.