Kiwi fruits are the new super fruit!
Wednesday 19 August 2009
Here at Closer Online we’re getting used to hearing all about the extraordinary health benefits of eating certain super-foods, and now there’s another one that we can add to the growing list – kiwis.
This little green fruit is being prescribed to patients with high blood pressure - and scientists at the University of Oslo say they should be eaten three times a day for the best results.
Kiwifruit isn’t just any ordinary super-food though - it has one of the highest densities of vitamin-C, magnesium, and other nutrients that are important to keep your heart healthy.
It even has more potassium than the traditionally healthy banana.
Impressed? So are we! Which is why we compiled a whole list of ailments that this furry fruit can help keep at bay….
Cancer
This offensive disease is initiated by gene mutation, but kiwis have been found to contain an anti-mutagenic component that helps to prevent it.
In a test that looked at cell lines, kiwis were found to inhibit myeloma and skin cancer. The FDA has also confirmed that it is an excellent source of dietary fibre, which prevents colon cancer.
Colds and flu
Kiwifruit is a great snack for fighting the flu and those dreaded colds, due to the high dosage of vitamin-C and antioxidants it contains.
Fitness
Kiwis can also be a helpful aid during your workouts. It replenishes minerals lost during exercise and is also great for regulating those glucose levels. Experts in china are currently testing a kiwifruit drink for athletes.
Stress
When stress is getting the better of us the serotonin found in kiwifruit can help calm us down.
It is also preventative of ‘nitrosation’ which leads to gastric problems and also speeds up the aging process.
Depression
Recent studies show that kiwis contain Inosital, a chemical compound that has been suggested may help treat symptoms of depression.
Diabetes
As a natural sugar alcohol, that magic Inositol also plays a part in regulating sugar content in the blood.
Eye health
Kiwifruit contains phytochemicals and Lutein. Lutein accumulates in the retina of the eye which over time leads to irreversible blindness.
And if you get bored of eating the fruit itself, check out this fun kiwi recipe we’ve found, courtesy of About.com…
Kiwifruit muffins
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
3/4 cup white flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup kiwifruit, peeled and chopped
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 400 F. Line muffin tins with paper liners or grease tins.
In a medium bowl, whisk together white flour, whole wheat flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and sugar until combined. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat together oil, eggs, and milk. Stir in kiwifruit by hand.
Add dry ingredients to kiwifruit mixture, stirring by hand until just combined.
Spoon into muffin tins, filling 3/4 full. Bake 15 to 20 minutes until done.
By Chloe Pew Latter