By Annette Jean-Francois
Special to CSMS Magazine
Packaged with more vitamin C than an equivalent amount of orange, the bright green of the flesh of the kiwifruit speckled with tiny black seeds a special tropical flare is available November through May. The kiwi-fruit is a small fruit approximately 3 inches long and weighing about four ounces. The inside of a kiwi fruit is almost creamy in consistency with an invigorating taste reminiscent of strawberry, melons and bananas, yet with its own sweet flavor.
In the world of phytonutrient research, kiwifruit has fascinated researchers for its ability to protect DNA in the nucleus of human cells from oxygen-related damage. Scientists are not yet certain which compounds in kiwi its protective antioxidant capacity for DNA, but kiwi does contains a variety of flavonoids and cartotenoids that have demonstrated antioxidant activity, these phytonutrients in kiwi may be responsible for this DNA protection.
In addition to DNA protection, kiwifruit is also an excellent source of vitamin C. This nutrient is the primary water-soluble antioxidant in the body, neutralizing free radical radicals that cause damage to cells and lead to problems such as inflammation and cancer. According the New England Journal of Medicine, adding kiwifruit in your daily diet is shown to be helpful in reducing the severity of conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma because of contents of vitamin C stored inside kiwifruit.
Kiwifruit is also a very good source dietary fiber. The fiber inside kiwifruit is shown to be useful for a number of conditions. Researchers have found that diets that contain kiwifruit can reduce high cholesterol levels, which may reduce the risk of heart disease and heart attack. Fiber is also for binding and removing toxins, which is helpful in preventing colon cancer. In addition, fiber rich foods are good for keeping the blood levels of diabetic patients under control.
Another important fact: Enjoying just a couple of kiwifruit each day may significantly lower your risk for blood clots and reduce the amounts of triglycerides (fats) in your blood, therefore helping to protect cardiovascular health.
Also see Cucumbers: the juicy vegetable
Lemon and Lime: nature’s sour fruits
Peach: The Healthy Persian Fruit
Watermelon: nature’s healthiest fruit
Avocados: nature’s health conscience fruit
Eating right is all that matters,not how much
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