The kiwifruit is a relatively small, ellipsoid-shaped fruit with a bright green, slightly acid-tasting pulp surrounding many small, black, edible seeds, which in turn surround a pale heart. The exterior of the kiwifruit is unappealing to some, being somewhat "furry" and light to medium brown in color. (While the furry skin is edible, some prefer to peel the fruit before eating.) Domestic kiwifruit is produced primarily in California, but imported kiwifruit is also commonly marketed.
One medium kiwi (69 grams) contains 0.79 grams protein, 42 calories and 2.1 grams of dietary fiber.
Minerals:
Potassium - 215 mg
Phosphorus - 23 mg
Magnesium - 12 mg
Calcium - 23 mg
Sodium - 2 mg
Iron - 0.21 mg
Selenium 0.1 mcg
Manganese - 0.068 mg
Copper - 0.09 mg
Zinc - 0.1 mg
Also contains small amounts of other minerals.
Vitamins:
Vitamin A - 60 IU
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) - 0.019 mg
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) - 0.017 mg
Niacin - 0.235 mg
Folate - 17 mcg
Pantothenic Acid - 0.126 mg
Vitamin B6 - 0.043 mg
Vitamin C - 64 mg
Vitamin E - 1.01 mg
Vitamin K - 27.8 mcg
Contains some other vitamins in small amounts.
Benefits:
Prevents asthma and other respiratory diseases: Studies in Italy performed on 18,000 6-7 year old children have demonstrated health benefits to the respiratory tract. The study found that children eating the 5-7 servings of citrus and kiwifruit per week had 44 percent less incidence of wheezing compared to children eating less than once a week. Night time cough was reduced by 27 percent, shortness of breath by 32 percent, runny nose by 28 percent, severe wheeze by 41 percent, and chronic cough by 25 percent. This is because of the high vitamin C content of the fruit.
Fights cardiovascular diseases: Eating kiwi fruit every morning has the same effect as aspirin for heart health (reduced blood clotting), but without the side effects such as inflammation and bleeding in the intestinal tract. According to a study conducted in University of Oslo, Norway, people who ate 2 to 3 kiwi fruit per day for 28 days reduced their platelet aggregation response (potential for blood clot formation) by 18 percent and lowered their blood triglycerides by 15 percent. This prevents a build up of deposits and plaques in the arterial walls, consequently, guarding against cardiovascular diseases.
Anti cancer: Kiwi contains a variety of flavonoids and carotenoids, which have demonstrated antioxidant activity. These phytonutrients are responsible for protecting your DNA from oxygen-related damage. By preventing DNA from being damaged, cancer growth is inhibited and prevented.
Digestive health: Kiwis are a very good source for dietary fiber. Fiber helps keep your digestive health in check and is good for binding and removing toxins from the colon, which is helpful for preventing colon cancer. Fiber also acts to prevent constipation and other gastro-intestinal issues.
Protects your eyes: Kiwi is a good source of lutein and zeaxanthin, natural chemicals found in the human eye. Lutein helps to filter out damaging blue light, which helps prevent age-related macular degeneration and the development of glaucoma and cataracts. Zeaxanthin works hand in hand with lutein, contributing primarily to eye health. A study published in the June 2004 issue of the Archives of Opthamology indicates that eating 3 or more servings of fruit (including kiwi) per day may lower your risk of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), which is the primary cause of vision loss in older adults.
Manage blood pressure: It is a very rich source of healthy electrolyte potassium. Potassium plays a major role in body cells by keeping the body fluids and electrolyte in balance, which help control heart rate and blood pressure by countering effects of sodium.
Good for skin: Kiwi is a good source of vitamin E, an antioxidant that can help against potential skin degeneration and work wonders for the health of the skin.
Boosts immunity: Due to its extremely high vitamin C content and its complement of antioxidant compounds, kiwi has proven to be an immune booster.
Fights male impotency: It contains the amino acid arginine, a well-known vasodilator that has been used to treat impotence in men.
Supports healthy birth: It has four peaches' worth of folate, which is essential for women before and during pregnancy. Folate helps to develop the blood cells for the baby in the womb.
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