Kiwi, Did you know?

10 Healthy Facts About the Kiwi:

Kiwis are small fruits that pack a lot of flavor and plenty of health benefits. Their green flesh is sweet and tangy. It’s also full of nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin E, folate, and potassium. They also have a lot of antioxidants and are a good source of fiber. Their small black seeds are edible, as is the fuzzy brown peel, though many prefer to peel the kiwi before eating it.

Thanks to different growing locations, kiwis can be in season year-round. They’re grown in California from November to May, and in New Zealand from June to October. Kiwi can also be found in supplement form.

1. Can Help Create Radiant Skin

Kiwi has antioxidants which block harmful free radicals and oxidative stress from aging your skin. The vitamin C in kiwi helps keep your skin firm and speeds healing of cuts and abrasions. The appearance of wrinkles or fine lines may be reduced due to the vitamin E in kiwi. Vitamin E also tries to reserve damage from ultraviolet radiation.

2. Can Help Treat Asthma

It’s thought that the high amount of vitamin C and antioxidants that kiwis contain can actually help treat people with asthma. One study from 2000 found that there was a beneficial effect on the lung function among those who consumed fresh fruit regularly, including kiwis. Fresh fruit like kiwi may reduce wheezing in susceptible children.

3. Aids Digestion

Kiwis have plenty of fiber, which is already good for digestion. They also contain a proteolytic enzyme called actinidin that can help break down protein. One study recently foundTrusted Source that kiwi extract containing actinidin greatly enhanced the digestion of most proteins.

4. Boosts the Immune System

Kiwis are nutrient-dense and full of vitamin C. In fact, just 1 cup of kiwi provides about 273 percent of your daily recommended value. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient when it comes to boosting your immune system to ward off disease. One study even found that kiwis may support immune function and reduce the likelihood of developing cold- or flu-like illnesses. This is especially true in at-risk groups like adults over the age of 65 and young children.

5. Reduces Risk of Other Health Conditions

Oxidative stress can result in damage to our DNA. This can lead to health problems. Partially thanks to its antioxidants, there is some evidenceTrusted Source from an older study that regular consumption of kiwi or kiwi extract reduces the likelihood of oxidative stress.

6. Can Help Manage Blood Pressure

Not only can kiwi fruits provide an extra boost to our immune system, they can also help us to manage our blood pressure. A 2014 study found evidenceTrusted Source that the bioactive substances in three kiwis a day can lower blood pressure more than one apple a day. Long term, this may also mean a lowered risk for conditions that can be caused by high blood pressure, like strokes or heart attacks.