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Kiwifruit is a Superfood. Nutritious. Like all citrus fruits, kiwi can also help to reduce the risk and retard the progression of chronic diseases, such as diabetes. Diabetes causes more deaths per year than breast cancer and AIDS combined.
Kiwi are in season right now. It's a small fruit that can rest in the palm of your hand. The golden kiwi has a smooth, bronze color skin from bright green to a clear, intense yellow. It's sweeter and more aromatic in flavor. It has a short storage life.
Firm kiwi fruit ripens after in just a few days when stored at room temperature. Do not store kiwi in direct sunlight. Faster ripening occurs when placed in a paper bag with an apple, pear or banana.
In fact, kiwifruit is added to a variety of savory and sweet dishes.
Kiwi fruit can also be used as a natural meat tenderizer. Just slice the kiwi in half and rub the cut end over the meat and let stand for 10 minutes.
You're gonna wanna make Food Network Kitchen's recipe courtesy of Robin Miller for Turkey-Mixed Greens Salad with Strawberries, Kiwi and Cashews in Honey-Sesame Dressing. It makes you smile with every bite.
Kiwifruit is a rich source of vitamin C (1.5 times the United States DRI per 100 grams) and vitamin K, and a good source of dietary fiber and vitamin E. The fruit and skin contain flavonoids, actinidain, and adhered pollen, which may produce irritation in the mouth and throat for some allergic individuals.
Store unripened kiwi on the countertop away from direct sunlight.
Eating fruit provides health benefits. Most fruits are naturally low in fat, sodium, and calories. None have cholesterol, and are a source of essential nutrients such as potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin C, and folate (folic acid).
People who eat fruits regularly are likely to reduce risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, including heart attack and stroke, certain types of cancers, obesity, type 2 diabetes, kidney stones, bone loss to name a few of the health benefits.
Fruits provide nutrients vital for health and maintenance of your body.
Potassium may help to maintain healthy blood pressure. Fruit sources of potassium include bananas, prunes and prune juice, dried peaches and apricots, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, and orange juice.
Dietary fiber from fruits, as part of an overall healthy diet, helps reduce blood cholesterol levels and may lower risk of heart disease. Fiber is important for proper bowel function. Fiber helps reduce constipation and diverticulosis.
Fiber-rich fruits help provide a feeling of fullness with fewer calories. Whole or cut-up fruits are sources of dietary fiber. (Fruit juices contain little or no fiber.)
Vitamin C is important for growth and repair of all body tissues, helps heal cuts and wounds, and keeps teeth and gums healthy.
Folate (folic acid) helps the body form red blood cells. Women of childbearing age who may become pregnant should consume adequate folate from foods, fortified foods or supplements. This reduces the risk of neural tube defects, spina bifida, and anencephaly during fetal development.
Food that's good and healthy for diabetics is good for healthy bodies, as well. It's Fruit Friday. Eat kiwi today.
* Source: USDA, FAO, Kiwifruit Organization
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