This delicious green fruit with hairy skin and dotted with black seeds pulp has many health benefits! Rich in vitamins, kiwi is a real energizing cocktail for the body. Check out its many benefits.
Where does the kiwi come from?
Originally from China, kiwi was once called Chinese gooseberry. It was not until mid 1950’s that was renamed kiwi by the New Zealanders, in reference to the bird with the same name. Composed of 80% water, kiwi is a true ally of slimming diets because it promotes weight loss due to its high concentration of vitamin C and antioxidants (a kiwi contains 80% of the daily requirement of vitamin C). Apart from its slimming benefits, kiwi fruit has many health benefits as well, here’s a quick overview.
Kiwi: a source of antioxidants which fight against diseases and cancers
Many studies have shown that regular consumption of vitamin C could prevent and reduce the symptoms of certain diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, heart disease in diabetics, stroke, colon cancer, etc. In fact, vitamin C protects the immune system and prevents the oxidation of blood. According to a study by Norwegian researchers, kiwi prevents many cancers and diseases that can be caused by oxidation of DNA.
Kiwi: a friend of your figure
With only 50 calories per 100 grams, kiwifruit is among the lowest in the calorie level fruit. It is therefore an ideal food if you want to lose weight because it will keep your energy during the day, while promoting satiety.
Kiwi: a source of vitamin C
Did you know that the kiwi contains two times more vitamin C than an orange? It is therefore an ideal fruit to enhance immunity and prevent infections and diseases during the winter (cold, flu, etc.).
Kiwi prevents osteoporosis
Kiwi has alkalizing properties that help to restore the acid-base balance in the body. Indeed, acidifying foods disrupt this balance, hence the importance of a diet rich in essential minerals. Indeed, in case of mineral deficiency, the body will draw mineral reserves from the bone, which leads to osteoporosis. Eating kiwi fruit helps maintain the health of your bones.
It protects the heart
This fruit helps prevent blood clots and reduce fat levels in the blood, which can clog arteries. These properties make the kiwi an excellent cardio-protective fruit! Kiwi contains vitamin C and E, magnesium, potassium and copper. All these components promote good health of the blood vessels in general. In one experiment, volunteers consumed two to three kiwifruits a day for 28 days. Result: they have reduced the risk of blood clots by 18% compared to those who didn’t eat kiwi. Moreover, their triglyceride levels decreased by 15% compared to those who didn’t consume kiwi, which proves that the kiwi is very beneficial for the cardiovascular health.
Kiwi protects the vision
Kiwi protects the vision and prevents the risk of macular degeneration (AMD) due to aging. Indeed, according to a US study of more than 110,000 men and women to determine the health impact of the consumption of fruits and vegetables, it was shown that the consumption of more than 3 servings per day of kiwi reduced the risk of vision loss by 36% in the elderly, unlike those who only consume 1.5 servings of fruit daily.
It treats constipation
Kiwi is highly concentrated in fiber and has laxative properties. It is therefore very effective in stimulating the digestive system and prevents constipation.
Important:
Attention – Kiwi contains actinidin, an enzyme that dissolves protein and can cause an allergic reaction in some people. The symptoms of this allergy are: itching in the mouth, wheezing, dizziness, etc.
It also contains oxalates which can crystallize in the fluids in the body and cause kidney problems or gallbladder problems. Kiwi can also cause an allergic reaction in persons with allergies to latex (latex-fruit syndrome).
