The sweet and fresh taste of kiwi makes this fruit popular in juices and fruit salads. The benefits of kiwi fruit are not just a sweetener, but also good for maintaining health and preventing illness.
This fruit, which is identical to New Zealand, has a Latin name Actinidia deliciosa. Kiwi fruit comes from mainland China north and in the 20th century began to be cultivated in New Zealand. It is shaped like a chicken egg, with a dull grayish-brown skin, and fine hairs covering the outer surface.
The flesh is bright green or golden in color with soft black seeds which can be eaten together. The taste is soft, sweet, and slightly sour, making this fruit a favorite for children and adults to consume.
Kiwi Benefits
Kiwi fruit can be consumed directly or processed into various types of food and beverages. Its fresh taste makes kiwi easy to combine with a variety of other healthy foods, for example as part of salads, yogurt mixes, ice cream sweeteners,smoothies,cakes, cakes, juices, to puddings.
The benefits of kiwi fruit for the body are as a source of nutrients that are rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin K, potassium, amino acids, folate, and calcium. In addition, this fruit also contains many antioxidants and is a source of fiber. Because of its diverse nutritional content, kiwi fruit is good for consumption by anyone, including pregnant women.
Various studies have been conducted to reveal the health benefits of kiwi fruit, including:
- Relieve asthmaThe high content of antioxidants and vitamin C in kiwi can relieve asthma symptoms. Research shows, there is an improvement in lung conditions in people who eat fruit regularly, including kiwi fruit. Consuming fresh kiwi fruit is thought to reduce wheezing and shortness of breath in asthmatics.
- Maintain digestive health
Studies show that kiwi fruit can act as a prebiotic, namely by increasing the growth of good bacteria in the gut (lactobacilli and bifidobacteria). The content of fiber and prebiotics in kiwi is good for maintaining a healthy digestive system, preventing constipation and preventing constipationirritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, the effectiveness of these prebiotics depends on the digestive conditions of each individual, and only lasts for 24 hours and lasts only as long as consuming kiwi fruit.
- Increase endurance
About 180 grams of kiwi has met the needs of vitamin C in a day. Vitamin C is an important element in increasing the body's resistance to disease, one of which is the flu.
- Lowering blood pressure and risk of disease
The content in kiwi can lower blood pressure. This means, kiwi can help prevent the risk of diseases that arise due to high blood pressure, such as heart attacks and strokes. In addition, the high antioxidant content can prevent diseases caused by DNA damage, such as heart disease and cancer.
- Improve sleep qualityIn addition to containing antioxidants, kiwi also contains serotonin. Serotonin plays a role in deep sleep. Serotonin is also beneficial in improving memory and cardiovascular function. Deficiency of this hormone has been linked to depression and other disorders mood.
- Reduce the risk of blood clots
Research has found that consuming two to three kiwis a day can reduce the risk of blood clots and decrease the amount of fat in the blood. Blood clots are associated with a variety of serious diseases and conditions that can be life-threatening, such as stroke, heart disease, and pulmonary embolism.
- Maintain eye healthAnother benefit of kiwi is to protect the eyes and prevent blindness. It is a blessing lutein and zeaxanthin contained in kiwi.
Behind the benefits of kiwi fruit, this fruit can also trigger allergic reactions in some people. Allergic reactions that appear in the form of swollen lips, itching of the skin and throat, nausea, and vomiting. It is recommended to be aware of allergy symptoms when giving kiwi to children for the first time.
