February 1, 2010

Why You Should Eat Kiwi

Kiwi delivers not just in good taste but also in nutrition.

 

 

Kiwi is an oblong-shaped fruit with fuzzy brown skin and green flesh with black seeds. It is mostly associated with New Zealand because it is widely cultivated there and had been named after this country’s national bird, but this fruit actually originated in China. People who are not familiar with kiwi sometimes mistake it for chico. But these are two entirely different fruits.

 
This fruit commonly stars in fruit platters and salads. But it can also be used as topping for yogurt, pancake, and can be blended with other fruits such as strawberry or mango, for a refreshing smoothie. This can also be added to salsa.

 
Kiwi has a protein-dissolving quality and therefore has a tenderizing effect when mixed with meats. Some cooks add kiwi to their marinades.

 

Health benefits

Studies show that eating kiwi regularly helps in preventing cardiovascular disease as it reduces blood clotting and lowers fat levels in the blood. Rich in vitamins A, C, and E which are strong antioxidants, kiwi can therefore give our body protection from free radicals. The potassium content of its flesh is almost equivalent to that of banana and the black seeds produce oil that’s rich in omega-3 essential fatty acid. The flavonoids in kiwi also help protect the cells from damage caused by oxidation in the body. This fiber-rich fruit can also help prevent colon cancer, since fiber binds to toxic compounds in the colon and aids in regular bowel movement.

        
Kiwi is said to help improve conditions of kids suffering from asthma as it contains enzymes that help respiratory tract to function better. In one study, children’s chronic cough and runny nose were reduced when they ate a good amount of kiwi. And in older people, those who consumed a large amount of kiwi on a regular basis also showed reduced symptoms of age-related macular degeneration.

 

 

But be aware that some people may have allergic reaction to kiwi because of the presence of an enzyme called actinidin. The common symptom of this allergy is an itchy feeling in the mouth and lips.

 
Buying and storing

When buying kiwi, feel the fruit and make sure that it is firm but still has a little give when pressed with your fingers. Kiwi fruits that are too firm will not be sweet but will likely be quite sour. A fruit that is too soft, however, would indicate that the fruit is already mushy. So make sure what you buy is free from blemishes and soft spots.

 

Store kiwi in the refrigerator and keep it away from other fruits or vegetables that emit ethylene gas—such as ripe bananas, avocados, apples—as this would make kiwi overripe quickly.

 

Kiwi recipes to try:

 

 

 

 

Smiley Fruity Pancakes

 

 

Strawberry Kiwi Canapes

COMMENTS

• angelo Feb 04 2010 @ 02:10pm Report Abuse

     

  Hi Ting. Elaine Lim featured kiwi in the Oct 2009 issue of Yummy, and there she writes that the gold variety of kiwi has a sweet and uniquely tropical taste (think mangoes!) while the green variety bears a tangy, sweet-sour taste.
• ting wong Feb 02 2010 @ 09:33pm Report Abuse

     

  any difference if its gold kiwi?