Kiwi has many health benefits, such as aids in the treatment of the diabetes, macular degeneration, insomnia, and cancer and it improves digestive and cardiovascular health. Kiwi is rich in flavonoids which are beneficial during pregnancy, it promotes the absorption of iron in the body and it contributes in keeping the skin healthy.
Kiwi has anti-microbial properties that can guard you from different pathogens and they can strengthen the immune system of the body. This is a delicious fruit. This fruit is native to China and it is revered as the country’s national fruit.
Originally kiwi is known as Yang Tao. This is oval–shaped and dull brown colored fruit which has a fuzzy texture. The inside pulp is semi-translucent and vivid. It has bright green flesh with a radiant pattern or lighter–colored spikes which are freckled with a few tiny and edible black seeds.
This fruit can cause allergic reactions in susceptible individuals. They can vary from mild, localized oral allergy to fatal conditions such as anaphylaxis that in many cases, can lead to death, and this depends on the sensitivity.
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6 Health benefits of kiwi
Diabetes
This fruit has low glycemic index, which makes it suitable for people who suffer from diabetes. There was one study that was done on kiwi extracts, and they demonstrated that the consumption of kiwi helps in the regulation of adipogenesis which is important for the prevention of diabetes.
Strong immune defense
This fruit contributes favorably to regulating the innate and adaptive immune system, which is very important for the healthy functioning of our bodies. When we consume kiwi, it helps us fight seasonal infections and other ailments because it has anti–fungal anti–microbial properties.
There are some studies in which is said that extracts from kiwi have been shown to exert bacteriostatic action against many pathogens in which are also included Staphylococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus.
This fruit helps in reducing the symptoms of flu and cold, and other upper respiratory tract infections. Also, it exhibits the activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines and exerts anti–inflammatory effects.
Cancer
In Chinese folk medicine, this fruit has been traditionally used for curing many different types of cancer such as lung cancer, stomach cancer, breast cancer, and liver cancer.
Extracts of this fruit inhibit the proliferation of cancerous cell, and it protects against endogenous DNA damage. Kiwi works against cancer by being cytotoxic to malignant cancer cells and what is more important is that it is not affecting normal and healthy cells.
Skincare
This fruit helps to maintain healthy and smooth skin, which is attributed to its significant contribution in the process of collagen synthesis.
Kiwi is rich in Vitamin C, which will keep the skin firm, and expedite the healing of abrasions and cuts. Kiwi has Vitamin E, which assists in reducing the fine lines and appearance of wrinkles.
This vitamin also helps in reducing the harmful effects of UV radiation on the skin. It has antioxidants that prevent the skin from early degeneration, and keeps rejuvenated.
Pregnancy
This is one of the best fruits for pregnant women attributed to the abundance of natural folate. Folate helps to prevent the occurrence of neural tube defects in unborn babies, and it is very important for their cognitive and brain growth.
Also this fruit has other vital nutrients such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K along with flavonoids which are present in kiwi and also contribute beneficially in the overall health and development of the expectant mother and fetus.
Macular degeneration
This fruit is beneficial for the health of our eyes. It is a rich source of phytochemicals such as zeaxanthin and lutein, which are critical components residing in our eyes.
These components in the combination with Vitamin A are protecting our eyes from age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and other vision-destroying disorders.
