Kiwi Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits

what is a kiwi

Since golden kiwis are hairless, some people eat the skin, which provides additional fiber. Sometimes referred to as kiwifruit or Chinese gooseberries, kiwis originated in China before spreading to New Zealand, Europe, and the United States. Kiwis are a sweet way to add vitamins, minerals, and fiber to your diet. A 2011 study looked at the effects of kiwifruit on sleep quality in adults with sleep problems. The researchers found that eating kiwis improved sleep, according to self-reported measures. The vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants can provide essential health benefits.

what is a kiwi

Kiwis have been famously cultivated in New Zealand, but this bold berry actually originated in eastern China. Kiwis are a small fruit with a satisfyingly sweet taste and an impressive nutrient profile. Kiwis, also known as kiwifruit, are a type of fruit native to the mountains and hillsides of Southwest China (1). Heather is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN, LDN), subject matter expert, and technical writer, with a master’s degree in nutrition science from Bastyr University.

A Look at How Kiwi Compares With Other Types of Fruit

They’re now grown in many other areas of the world, including New Zealand, which is a top producer of this popular fruit. Kiwis are also grown in many other areas of the world, including the United States. While they’re seasonal in the fall, you can typically find kiwis all year round in the supermarket produce section to meet your every kiwi craving and culinary need. Here are the important facts to know when it comes to kiwi and your blood glucose. Though some have suggested that kiwis are a good source of omega 3 fatty acids, this may not be entirely true.

Health Promoting Qualities of Kiwifruit

People who smoke are at higher risk of plaque buildup, so eating kiwis may help prevent platelet accumulation and reduce the How to buy feg token risk of atherosclerosis in this population (13). A study looked at the effects of eating either kiwis or apples in 118 people with either high normal blood pressure or stage one high blood pressure (11). In addition to containing the antioxidant nutrients vitamin C and vitamin E, kiwis are an excellent source of plant compounds that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in the body. Kiwis also come in yellow-fleshed or golden varieties (A. chinensis). The difference between green-fleshed and yellow-fleshed kiwis is that green kiwis contain a green pigment called chlorophyll while yellow kiwis do not (3). Kiwis are a powerhouse of vitamins that can help keep your heart and digestive system healthy.

  1. These compounds have been found to boost eye, brain, heart, liver, and skin health while helping to prevent age-related diseases.
  2. These digestive benefits can help those experiencing constipation find relief by adding bulk to stool and decreasing the time it spends in the digestive tract.
  3. Kiwi is safe for most people, but some people may have a kiwi allergy.
  4. There are as many as 40 known varieties of this fruit, all of which differ in taste and appearance.
  5. Furthermore, individuals with known allergies or sensitivities should be cautious when consuming kiwi fruit and may need to avoid it entirely if necessary.
  6. Kiwis are also grown in many other areas of the world, including the United States.

It can support skin health

Kiwi contains both soluble and insoluble fiber, providing the cholesterol-lowering and regularity-encouraging power of each fiber type. Prebiotics are a type of fiber that act as food for the healthy bacteria in our gut microbiome, helping them to thrive. Plus, kiwifruit is high in actinidin, an enzyme that helps the body digest various types of proteins, including those found in meat, gluten, nuts, and legumes. This makes it the perfect after-dinner snack, dessert, or digestif, if you will. The impressive health benefits of kiwi combined with all the ways it can be added to recipes make kiwi a no-brainer, nutrient-dense superfood and one of the healthiest foods you can eat every day. Strawberries, bananas, and pineapples are usually mentioned when describing the flavor of a ripe kiwi.

Nevertheless, some people may experience irritation or discomfort in the mouth, throat, or digestive system due to these enzymes. Eating excessive amounts of kiwi fruit or having it on an empty stomach could worsen these symptoms. Kiwi fruit contains a high amount of vitamin C, crucial for immune system function, collagen production, and healing wounds.

People who have difficulty enjoying sound sleep can eat a few kiwifruits to help solve this problem. This tangy and sweet fruit contains many medicinally useful compounds, including antioxidants and serotonin, that may be beneficial in the treatment of sleep disorders. There are several varieties of kiwi that are native to China and Taiwan. Actinidin enhances protein digestion in the stomach and small intestines. For people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), kiwis are considered a low-FODMAP food, meaning they are low in fruit sugars that can trigger symptoms.

Kiwifruit can be grown in most temperate climates with adequate summer heat. Where fuzzy kiwifruit (A. deliciosa) is not hardy, other species can be grown as substitutes. 'Hort16A' is a golden kiwifruit cultivar marketed worldwide as Zespri Gold. More specifically, it’s thought that vitamin C helps enhance neutrophil response, which are some of the first cells to respond to infection. Eating kiwis is an excellent way to increase your consumption of vitamin C, plus many other antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds.

Kiwis have a sweet, tart, and bold taste — making them a popular addition to a healthy breakfast or lunch. Another benefit of eating kiwi is that, like all fruit, it has fiber. „The fiber in kiwi means that it can help the body maintain good digestion,” Ingraham says. „One study in particular linked eating kiwi to helping with constipation1,” she says. It’s also worth noting that eating skin-on kiwi (fuzzies and all) bumps its fiber content up by a whole 50 percent. Plus, Manaker notes that kiwis also contain actinidain, an enzyme that helps break down protein that aids digestion further.

The flesh is rich with vitamins that stimulate immunity and reduce the risk of disease. If you suspect you may have an allergy, be sure to check with a health care provider or dietitian before eating kiwi. Kiwis are particularly high in vitamin C, which makes them excellent for supporting the immune system and enhancing skin health. They also contain potassium, and interestingly enough, golden atfx review kiwi varieties (like SunGold) have even higher levels of this mineral, with 255 grams potassium per golden kiwi.

Brondo says that they are known for having the highest vitamin C content of any other commonly eaten nadex options exchange review fruit (290% DV per serving). Also referred to as yellow kiwi or SunGold kiwi, this type has a smooth, bronze-colored skin and golden flesh. Gold kiwis are generally sweeter and less acidic than green kiwis, offering a tropical flavor reminiscent of pineapple or mango.

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