Kiwi fruit can help to aid digestion
Better digestion could be just a piece of fruit away, as new research reveals the health benefits of kiwi.
Researching the role of kiwi fruit in digestion of common proteins such as red meat, yoghurt and fish, the study provided clear evidence that green kiwi fruit, driven by the presence of the enzyme actinidin, which does not occur in any other kind of fruit, can deliver enhanced gastric digestion.
Nele Moorthamers, European Marketing Manager, at Zespri, who conducted the research, commented: “Although somewhat already recognised as a natural digestive aid, this research focused on the role of kiwi fruit in the breaking down of food protein that can be particularly hard to digest in comparison to other foods.
“Kiwi fruit is rich in actinidin which breaks down protein quicker and more effectively than digestive enzymes can do alone, making kiwi fruit a perfect choice to overcome digestive issues.
“So after a summer of BBQs and overindulging we should be reaching for a kiwi fruit to help alleviate bloating and the highly uncomfortable sensation of an overfull stomach that we all know so well!”
The study supports the view that kiwi fruit should be a part of an individual’s daily diet as it is a fantastic digestive aid, but kiwi fruit also possess many health benefits over and above improving digestion.
For example there is twice as much vitamin C in kiwi fruit than there is in an orange, meaning you only need one kiwi fruit a day to get your recommended daily intake of vitamin C.
Nele Moorthamers continued: “Kiwi fruit is extremely versatile and can easily be worked into any diet, whether it is eaten on its own or with breakfast, sliced over yoghurt. It can also be used as part of a recipe, such as kiwi fruit and yoghurt muffins or a kiwi fruit korma.’
Commenting on the results of the study Dr Lovedeep Kaur from Massey University where the study was conducted, said: “The observed enhancement of gastric protein digestion after eating kiwi fruit may increase the rate at which protein is absorbed in the small intestine, ultimately affecting the overall protein utilisation in the human body.
“Faster and more complete digestion of food proteins occurs due to the presence of a unique naturally occurring enzyme present only in kiwi fruit (actinidin).
“The kiwi fruit enzyme alone, even in the absence of any other digestive enzymes, is found to be capable of digesting many proteins present in foods, particularly, yoghurt, cheese, tuna and raw eggs, which suggests that eating a kiwi fruit with a protein-rich meal may be a suitable solution for those with compromised digestion.”
Tagged in Nutrition Diet fruit Healthy eating Diet tips