Kiwi Benefits to Heart Health | Health Benefits of Kiwi Fruit

According to a recent study, the kiwi fruit, eaten everyday may greatly help lower serum triglyceride levels and assist in keeping the lipid profile in check.

It prevents a build up of deposits and plaques in the arterial walls, puts a stopper to platelet clumping and aggregation, thus preventing arterial narrowing and blockages, and consequently, guarding against ischemic heart disease.

• The reason for this health benefit is the presence of vitamin C, vitamin E, and polyphenols (anti-oxidants) in abundance, in the fruit.
• In the clinical trial that was conducted, participants who ate 2-3 kiwi fruits a day, for a time period of 1 month, demonstrated a 15 % diminution in the level of serum triglycerides, and an 18 % drop in the platelet clumping and aggregation.
• Also, bear in mind that, an appropriate diet, necessary lifestyle changes, adequate physical activity, and stress management, are important factors, that are very essential to keep the heart happy.
• The fruit is small and oval. It is brown and fuzzy on the outside, and on the inside, it contains, a green fleshy part, surrounded by black edible seeds.
• It is creamy in consistency, and has a unique, sweet taste.
• The kiwi is native to China.
• Nutritional highlights of the kiwi fruit:
• The kiwi fruit is an excellent source of vitamin C.
• It is an extremely rich source of dietary fibre.
• Vitamin A and vitamin E are also found in abundance in the fruit.

Health benefits of Kiwi

• Kiwis are particularly useful in promoting respiratory tract health. This is attributed to the vitamin C (ascorbic acid) content in them. A study conducted on 6 and 7 year old children, in northern and central Italy, showed that those who consumed more of the fruit, were less likely to have respiratory related diseases. The fruit helps to control difficult breathing, shortness of breath, wheezing, and night coughs.

Quick serving ideas:

1. Eat the fruit by itself, or in fruit salads, or juice them. Kiwis blend well with most of the other fruits, especially with, grapes, apples, and oranges.
2. Kiwis can also be tossed in green salads.
3. A smoothie made out of yogurt and kiwis, or chopped kiwis with yogurt, make a nutritious and a low calorie snack.
4. Kiwis can be used in tarts and pastries.
5. Kiwi, cantaloupe, and yogurt blended together make a chilled creamy soup.

Watch out! : Don’t cut the fruit and let it stand for too long. Eat it immediately. The kiwi fruit contains certain enzymes which are food tenderizers. They tenderize the fruit, and make it overly soft and soggy. If you’re adding it to a salad or a fruit dish, add it at the last minute.