Introduction
We have Kiwifruit or Kiwis in our green grocers today because an ingenious New Zealander brought back this strange fruit from China to New Zealand. Previously known by names such as Chinese gooseberry and melonette, the name we know it by today is because of the ‘kiwi’s who began cultivating it: Isabel Fraser and Alexander Allison.
Six top reasons to include this amazing fruit in your diet are as follows:
1 - Antioxidant properties
Kiwis have many antioxidant properties because they are very in in Vitamins C, E and A. These vitamins protect from free radicals and help keep the body functioning correctly.
2 - Decreases colon cancer
Kiwis are high in dietary fiber which helps to reduce the risk of colon cancer. The fiber also lowers blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels and reduces risk of heart disease!
3 - Vitamin C
Kiwis contain up to 1.5 times the RDI of Vitamin C which is very important to keep the body functioning to its fullest potential.
4 - Potassium
Kiwis contain almost as much potassium by weight as bananas. For those requiring extra potassium, kiwi’s are a refreshing change to bananas!
5 - Improves asthmatic conditions
Studies have shown that if consumed 5-7 times a week, asthmatic conditions are improved in children by up to 44%.
6 - Rich in Alfa-linoleic acid
The black seeds inside the fruit are crushed to produce Alfa-linoleic acid. So kiwis are rich in this Omega 3 acid which is an essential fatty acid and very beneficial for skin health.
Conclusion
Kiwi’s are cultivated all over the world today - the biggest producer worldwide today is Italy, followed by New Zealand and Chile. New Zealanders cultivated a hairless yellow variety of Kiwi of which the skin can be eaten. Care should be taken if you are allergic to latex or pineapples as kiwis also contain actinidin which is a protein dissolving enzyme.
Kiwi can be added to a lunch box with skin on or off and cut in half and spooned out raw. It can be cut up and added to salads, cooked and made into chutney’s, jams, and whatever your personal taste dictates.
Add some Kiwifruit into your diet today!
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