If you have never eaten the kiwi fruit, then you have been missing out on one of the most nutritious fruits that can enhance your health in numerous ways. This fruit is not only delicious and nutrient dense, it contains almost 275% of the daily recommended allowance of vitamin C in just a cup!
This exotic fruit has for long been used to spruce up fruit bowls and desserts and in smoothies. It is also used as a tenderizing agent for meats, though it is recommended to eat it raw so as to make most of its nutritional value.
Health Benefits of Kiwi Fruit:-
1. Rich in Vitamin C and E
Vitamin C and E act as powerful antioxidants, which help in eliminating free radicals that can lead to oxidative damage, inflammation or cancer. They are also important for boosting the body’s immunity against pathogens due to the high amounts of polyphenols which have immunostimulatory activity.
The vitamin E in kiwi is fat-free and a strong component in lowering blood cholesterol
2. Aids in inducing sleep
Kiwifruit is rich in serotonin, which is highly beneficial in the treatment of sleep disorders. If you are having trouble sleeping, eating two kiwi fruits and hour before bedtime will immensely help in inducing sleep. Serotonin has also been shown to boost memory and mood, making it useful for depression.
3. Aids in digestion
Kiwifruit contains an enzyme called actinidin, which is similar to papain in papaya and is known for its protein dissolving properties. This is why it is used as a meat tenderizer and it aids in the digestion of proteins in the stomach. According to a number of studies, adding kiwi to patients’ diets introduced fiber and antioxidants, which led to improved bowel function and produced anti-inflammatory results.
4. Good source of dietary fiber and weight loss
Kiwifruit is loaded with dietary fiber, which is useful for prevention of numerous diseases. This leads to lower risk of coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease. Fiber also keeps one full for longer. It is also useful in controlling metabolic markers like cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar and a good facilitator of weight loss
5. Rich in folate
Folate, also known as Vitamin B6, is beneficial for pregnant women because of its role in the development of the fetus. The kiwifruit is rich in folate, which is one of its major medicinal properties. Folate is also considered great for growing children.
6. For youthful skin
Due to its alkaline nature, the kiwifruit keeps the body healthy by maintaining a good PH balance, which will keep your skin beautiful and youthful. The vitamin C and E being antioxidants, also prevent degradation of the skin.
Collagen, which is the most abundant protein in our bodies, is key for the maintenance of bones, muscles, skin, and tendons. It is dependent on Vitamin C, which the kiwifruit has plenty of
7. Improves respiratory health
The high levels of Vitamin C in the kiwifruit have been shown to be useful in treating a number of respiratory diseases both in adults and children. It is able to decrease symptoms which include head congestion, wheezing, and duration of a sore throat. It is advisable to have 2-3 Kiwi fruit on daily basis.
The kiwifruit is also important for prevention of eye diseases, bone maintenance, and repair, and it also has antifungal and antibacterial properties. The fruit is also rich in potassium which helps lower blood pressure and improves the cardiovascular system.
