5 Reasons to Indulge in Kiwi
Kiwi fruit may be small in size but it packs a punch of health benefits. The small tangy green flesh is full of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. While kiwi used to be seasonal, it is now grown in California and New Zealand, making it available all year round. You can purchase these little gems in your favorite supermarket or produce store and start enjoying these five kiwi benefits.
Super Nutritious
Just one kiwi contains 71 percent of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C, according to The Greatest. Besides containing other important vitamins like K, E, and folate, these amazing fruits contain potassium, calcium, iron, phosphorus as well as other minerals. So, skip the orange or banana and have some kiwi with breakfast instead.
(Stas Malyarevsky / Shutterstock.com)
Can Aid Asthma Treatment
The amount of vitamin C and antioxidants in kiwis can actually help treat people with asthma according to Healthline. In fact, a meta-analysis of studies suggested that fresh fruit that are high in vitamin C like kiwi can help control wheezing in asthmatics, especially in children. So, eat kiwi and breathe easier!
(Serhil Kalenichyi / Shutterstock.com)
Good for Gut Health
Kiwis are full of 2.2 grams of fiber and that is good for gut health, stresses The Greatest. Every part of the fruit is edible including the brown fuzzy skin that is full of insoluble fiber. This will aid digestion and help prevent constipation plus it tastes so much better than Metamucil.
(Nitr / Shutterstock.com)
Could Help Heart Health
Just eating 2-3 kiwis can help lower triglyceride levels by up to 14 percent according to a 2004 study because of the high amounts of vitamins C, E and polyphenols contained in the fruit. The study suggested that eating kiwi may help in lowering LDL cholesterol and triglycerides that can cause heart disease.
The old saying that an apple a day keeps the doctor away could be changed to kiwi when it comes to heart health. Three kiwis can reduce blood pressure as much as apples, according to Healthline, and lower blood pressure means a decreased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
(Tatyana Ratova / shutterstock.com)
Helps Protect Against Vision Loss
This little superfruit can also help protect against vision loss. That’s because kiwis might protect your eyes from macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness due to the high levels of zeaxanthin and lutein that they contain. One study published in JAMA Ophthalmology showed that eating three of the fruits a day decreased macular degeneration by 36 percent.
(AManias / Shutterstock.com)
