Kiwi Fights Cancer

The most common species of kiwifruit is Actinidia deliciosa, commonly known as Hayward kiwi. Kiwifruit is an excellent source of vitamin C and a very good source of dietary fiber. It is also a good source of the minerals potassium, magnesium, and copper. In addition, kiwifruit is a good source of the antioxidant vitamin E. In addition, a full array of nutrients includes carbohydrates, sugar, soluble and insoluble fiber, sodium, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids and more.

Research conducted at the University of Innsbruck in Austria suggests that as fruits fully ripen, almost to the point of spoilage, their antioxidant levels actually increase.

Key to the process is the change in color that occurs as fruits ripen, a similar process to that seen in the fall when leaves turn from green to red to yellow to brown- a color change caused by the breakdown and disappearance of chlorophyll, which gives leaves and fruits their green color.

Kiwi fruit is a fruit from China, where it was traditionally used for cancer treatment. It is an excellent source of the antioxidant vitamin C. It is also a good source of pectin, the soluble fiber, and phytochemicals – nutrients that are proven cancer fighters. Besides those cancer-fighting nutrients, kiwi fruit is a source for potassium, and zeaxanthin and lutein – antioxidants for eye health.

Picture By : Vida Naji

Kiwi Health Benefits

Kiwi contain numerous phytonutrients as well as vitamins and minerals that promote your health.

Kiwi Cardiovascular Health: Kiwi fruit each day may significantly lower your risk for blood clots and reduce the amount of fats (triglycerides) in your blood, therefore helping to protect cardiovascular health.
• Kiwi Protection Against Macular Degeneration: A kiwi every meal helps protective against the severe form of vision-destroying disease.
• Kiwi Protection Against Asthma: Eating vitamin C-rich fruit such as kiwi may confer a significant protective effect against respiratory symptoms associated with asthma such as wheezing.
• Kiwi Fiber Blood Sugar Control, Cardiovascular & Colon Health: The fiber in kiwifruit has also been shown to be useful for a number of conditions. Researchers have found that diets that contain plenty of fiber can reduce high cholesterol levels, which may reduce the risk of heart disease and heart attack. Fiber is also good for binding and removing toxins from the colon, which is helpful for preventing colon cancer. In addition, fiber-rich foods, like kiwifruit, are good for keeping the blood sugar levels of diabetic patients under control.
• Kiwi’s Phytonutrients Protect DNA: Kiwi fruit has fascinated researchers for its ability to protect DNA in the nucleus of human cells from oxygen-related damage. Researchers are not yet certain which compounds in kiwi give it this protective antioxidant capacity, but they are sure that this healing property is not limited to those nutrients most commonly associated with kiwi fruit, including its vitamin C or beta-carotene content. Since kiwi contains a variety of flavonoids and carotenoids that have demonstrated antioxidant activity, these phytonutrients in kiwi may be responsible for this DNA protection.
• Kiwi Antioxidant Protection: Kiwifruit emerged from our food ranking system as an excellent source of vitamin C. This nutrient is the primary water-soluble antioxidant in the body, neutralizing free radicals that can cause damage to cells and lead to problems such as inflammation and cancer. In fact, adequate intake of vitamin C has been shown to be helpful in reducing the severity of conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma, and for preventing conditions such as colon cancer, atherosclerosis, and diabetic heart disease. And since vitamin C is necessary for the healthy function of the immune system, it may be useful for preventing recurrent ear infections in people who suffer from them.

Kiwi Safety Allergies

Kiwi allergy is one of the more common allergies among fruits and caution is advised. There are numerous reports of allergy and cross-sensitization with kiwi and birch pollen, banana, avocado, chestnut, melon, fig, nuts, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, rye grain, hazelnuts, flour, latex-containing plants, and grasses. Asthma, rash, “hives,” swelling and anaphylaxis have been reported.

Kiwi Precaution

Kiwi is known to have high levels of vitamin C, E, potassium and serotonin and may be capable of altering triglyceride levels. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), and collapse have also been reported.

• Pregnancy & Breastfeeding: Kiwi is not recommended in pregnant or breastfeeding women due to a lack of available scientific evidence.
• Kiwi Interactions with Drugs: Kiwi may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants (“blood thinners”) such as warfarin (Coumadin®) or heparin, anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix®), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) or naproxen (Naprosyn®, Aleve®). Kiwi has a high serotonin concentration. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) alter the levels of serotonin in the body usually by increasing them. Therefore, theoretically, kiwi and SSRIs may have a synergistic effect on serotonin levels. Consumption of kiwi fruit may lower blood triglycerides.
• Kiwi Interactions with Herbs & Dietary Supplements: In theory, kiwi may increase the risk of bleeding when also taken with other products that are believed to increase the risk of bleeding. Multiple cases of bleeding have been reported with the use of Ginkgo biloba, and fewer cases with garlic and saw palmetto. Numerous other agents may theoretically increase the risk of bleeding, although this has not been proven in most cases. Substantial amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin are present in kiwi fruit. Caution is advised when taking lutein supplements. Kiwi may increase the amount of vitamin C in the body because this fruit is rich in vitamin C. Based on urinary measurements, vitamin C status improved in athletes supplemented with Actinidia sinensis planch drink in one study. Theoretically, kiwi may have an effect on the amount of vitamin E in the body because kiwi is rich in vitamin E. Theoretically, kiwi may have an effect on the amount of potassium in the body because kiwi is rich in potassium. Kiwi is associated with an increased amount of serotonin. Kiwi plus herbs/supplements that alter serotonin levels may have an effect on the levels of serotonin in the body.

Kiwi Preparation & Storage

Kiwifruits should not be eaten too long after cutting since they contain enzymes (actinic and bromic acids) that act as a food tenderizer, with the ability to further tenderize the kiwifruit itself and make it overly soft. Consequently, if you are adding kiwifruit to fruit salad, you should do so at the last minute so as to prevent the other fruits from becoming too soggy.

To ensure kiwi fruit does not “tenderize” the other fruits in your salad, store sliced kiwi in a separate air-tight container and add to the rest of the fruit salad just before serving.

A Few Quick Serving Ideas

• Kiwifruit are so delicious, they can be eaten as is. One of our favorite ways to do so is to peel with a paring knife and slice.
• Add kiwifruit to tossed green salads.
• Serve sliced kiwifruit and strawberries, fruits whose flavors are naturally complementary, topped with yogurt.
• Mix sliced kiwifruit, orange and pineapple together to make chutney that can be served as an accompaniment to chicken or fish.
• Blend kiwifruit and cantaloupe in a food processor to make a chilled soup.
• For a creamier consistency, blend yogurt in with the fruit mixture.
• Kiwifruit have a wonderful flavor and appearance for use in fruit tarts.