Latest news with #kiwis
New York Times
a day ago
- Health
- New York Times
Why a Kiwi May Be the Perfect Snack
Apples and bananas may be some of America's favorite fruits. But nutrition experts say that kiwis deserve a spot in your shopping cart. These brown, fuzzy fruits with green, yellow or even red flesh are packed with beneficial nutrients like fiber and vitamin C. And on TikTok, wellness influencers rave about their digestive and sleep-inducing benefits. 'Kiwis are having a moment right now, and for good reason,' said Judy Simon, a clinical dietitian at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle. Here's why their spotlight is so well-deserved, and how incorporating kiwis into your diet may influence your health. They're loaded with nutrients. Kiwis contain an impressive array of nutrients. A medium-sized fruit offers a little over two grams of fiber at just 48 calories. The skin is especially fiber-rich. Fiber slows digestion, helping to prevent blood sugar spikes, said Amy Ellis, a dietitian and associate professor of nutrition at the University of Alabama. Over time, such spikes can increase the risk for Type 2 diabetes. Fiber also binds to 'bad' cholesterol, or LDL, in the intestine, helping to remove it from your body, Ms. Simon said. Excess LDL can lead to a buildup of plaque in your arteries, increasing your risk for heart attacks and strokes. When it comes to vitamin C, citrus fruit 'gets all the attention,' said Danielle Davis, a dietitian who specializes in gut health at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. But one kiwi contains 56 milligrams of the nutrient. This is more than you'd get from one clementine or half a grapefruit — and 62 percent of the daily vitamin C recommendation for men and 75 percent of the daily recommendation for women. Vitamin C, which your body can't make on its own, supports your immune system and plays an important role in wound healing. It also helps your body absorb iron from foods like leafy green vegetables, Ms. Davis said. One kiwi contains about 150 milligrams of potassium — a 'nice amount' Ms. Simon said. (A banana has about 400 milligrams.) Potassium helps prevent high blood pressure by offsetting the effects of too much sodium, Ms. Davis said. Kiwis also have beneficial unsaturated fats, which can help you absorb some fat-soluble vitamins they contain, like vitamins A and E, Ms. Simon said. They're 'nutrient dense, satiating and delicious,' Ms. Simon added, making them the perfect snack. They can help you stay regular. When Dr. Shanti Eswaran's patients ask her for strategies for constipation relief that don't involve taking supplements or medication, she often recommends eating kiwis. Prunes are also helpful, said Dr. Eswaran, who is a gastroenterologist at Michigan Medicine. But you would need to eat four prunes to get as much fiber as you would from one kiwi. And in her experience, people tend to enjoy kiwis more, she said. In one industry-funded randomized controlled trial of about 200 people from 2023, participants who ate two green kiwis each day had more bowel movements per week than they did before the study. Kiwis contain both soluble and insoluble fiber, which help address constipation, Dr. Ellis said. Soluble fiber forms a viscous gel in your intestines, and pulls water into your stool, making it softer and easier to pass. 'For healthy stool, you want it to be kind of fluffy,' Ms. Davis said. The soluble fiber can help you achieve that consistency. Insoluble fiber, on the other hand, doesn't break down in your intestines, but bulks up your stool, helping to keep it moving, Ms. Davis said. Although other high-fiber fruits and vegetables offer similar constipation-relieving benefits, kiwis (particularly the green ones) are one of a select few fruits that contain an enzyme called actinidin. Some animal studies suggest that this enzyme can make it easier to digest protein, but it's not clear if these findings apply to humans. Kiwis might help you sleep, but the evidence is limited. Some on social media say that eating kiwis can help you sleep better, pointing to a small, limited study from 2023 to support this claim. In the study, elite athletes who consumed two kiwis one hour before bed for four weeks reported that their sleep quality improved. Kiwis contain trace amounts of melatonin, a hormone that makes you feel drowsy at night. They also contain a bit of serotonin, a chemical the brain uses to make melatonin. But there's no evidence that kiwis contain enough of either melatonin or serotonin to affect sleep, Ms. Simon said. 'It's an interesting connection,' she said. 'But the studies just aren't strong.' Those who say that kiwis help them sleep may be feeling the effect of a healthy food swap, Ms. Simon said. If someone who usually eats cookies at night substitutes them with two kiwis, their sleep may improve. Eating foods with added sugars and refined carbohydrates right before bed can impair your sleep. How to enjoy kiwis. Ms. Simon recommended blending kiwis into a breakfast smoothie or adding them to a fruit salad or a bowl of Greek yogurt. You can also eat kiwis straight, skin included, as Ms. Davis does. If you want to try the skin but are turned off by its texture, she recommended starting with the yellow varieties. These tend to have less fuzz.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
EU Good Food Fruits Add a Fresh Accent to Korea's Culinary Scene
SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EU Good Food has officially introduced premium European kiwis and canned peaches to Korean consumers, marking an important milestone in its collaboration with the Korean market. This launch highlights the initiative's long-term commitment to delivering high-quality, fully traceable European ingredients to Korea's food industry and households. European kiwis and canned peaches, sourced from the Mediterranean region, bring a fresh and flavour-rich dimension to Korean dining. More than just snacks or dessert ingredients, these fruits combine exceptional flavour, texture, and natural balance - making them ideal additions to a wide variety of Korean dishes. A Fresh Accent to Korean Plates Celebrated for their quality and flavour, European kiwis and canned peaches bring a pleasant harmony and creative highlights to Korean cuisine. European kiwis offer a distinctive gentle tartness and naturally active enzymes, making them highly versatile for both sweet and savoury applications. They elevate fruit salads and desserts, while also providing a refreshing counterpoint in traditional dishes. When incorporated into naengmyeon, for instance, the crisp tang of kiwi delivers a clean, invigorating twist that complements the dish's signature flavours. Similarly, European canned peaches offer a mellow sweetness and smooth, velvety texture, making them an ideal ingredient for pancakes, butter tarts, and griddled hotteok. When paired with iced Americano, their rich flavour harmonises with the coffee's bitterness, creating a balanced and indulgent treat. Taste with Integrity - Backed by EU Standards What sets these fruits apart is the assurance of quality under EU Good Food. Cultivated, harvested, and packaged according to strict EU regulations, they are fully traceable from orchard to packaging. European farmers prioritise soil health, minimise synthetic inputs, and protect natural ecosystems. This dedication to quality is evident in each fruit. European kiwis are carefully harvested at peak ripeness. This ensures optimal texture, a balanced sweet-tart flavour, and excellent durability during transport and storage. The result is a fruit that maintains its freshness and appeal long after it leaves the orchard. Similarly, peaches are picked only at full maturity and preserved without unnecessary additives. Thanks to clean, modern processing techniques, canned peaches retain their natural juiciness, aroma, and velvety texture. Beyond flavour and freshness, both kiwis and peaches are naturally rich in vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fibre. Their clean-label profile aligns with Korea's growing demand for minimally processed, additive-free products. The official EU certification ensures that every product meets rigorous safety, quality, and consistency with care and packed with goodness, European kiwis and canned peaches bring freshness, flavour, and essential nutrients to Korean tables. Since its introduction to Korea, the EU Good Food campaign has made a significant impact through a series of targeted and high-profile activities. From immersive tasting events at Seoul Food & Hotel to strategic networking initiatives connecting EU suppliers with Korean buyers - including renowned chefs, importers, and key industry stakeholders - the campaign has actively fostered meaningful exchange and long-term collaboration. It has also showcased how seamlessly European products can be integrated into the Korean culinary landscape. Whether featured in intimate family dinners or innovative fusion menus, these fruits bring a refined and flavourful touch to the season. With their bright and rich taste, European kiwis and canned peaches are a natural choice - equally suited for passionate home cooks looking to elevate everyday meals with superior ingredients, and for culinary professionals aiming to craft truly distinctive dining experiences. About EU Good Food EU Good Food is an EU co-funded initiative dedicated to promoting high-quality, safe, and fully traceable European agricultural products worldwide. Through partnerships with local markets, the campaign connects consumers and industry professionals with certified European ingredients, ensuring taste, transparency, and trust in every product. For more information, please visit: in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Washington Post
01-08-2025
- Health
- Washington Post
Kiwis can help you poop if you're backed up
Well+Being Kiwis can help you poop if you're backed up August 1, 2025 | 2:47 PM GMT Ask A Doctor columnist Trisha Pasricha describes the health benefits of green and golden kiwis, which can help with constipation without causing bloating. This content was created independently by The Washington Post and is not influenced by the advertiser and their affiliates. The advertiser had no involvement in the reporting, writing, or editing of this article or video. Presented by Amazon One Medical.
Fox News
13-07-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Two of these fruits a day can boost gut health, fight cancer risk, doctor says
Eating two of a specific type of fruit each day may keep the gastroenterologist away. Dr. Trisha Pasricha, a gastroenterologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, "prescribes" two kiwis a day to her patients to help with digestion and deliver a boost of vitamins and antioxidants. "I hesitate to say there's any one magic fruit out there that will cure all your gut health woes, but in some respects, kiwis do seem to rise above some of the other tried-and-true methods out there, like prunes or psyllium fiber," Pasricha told Fox News Digital. A single kiwi packs up to eight grams of fiber, which prevents constipation and promotes regular bowel movements, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But the superfood also contains actinidin, an enzyme that helps digestion by breaking down proteins. It's not found in many other foods. Actinidin is so powerful that it's used commercially as a meat tenderizer, Pasricha wrote in her "Ask A Doctor" column for The Washington Post recently. Pasricha said she recommends it over other high-fiber foods such as prunes, which can actually contribute to bloating and are harder to convince people to eat. She has seen kiwis work wonders for her patients and her own family, she said, but a 2022 study proved what she and other gastroenterologists have long observed anecdotally. Scientists from New Zealand, Italy and Japan found that two kiwis a day helped participants have more frequent and complete bowel movements and helped alleviate abdominal pain, indigestion and straining while going to the bathroom. "The fiber helps with digestive issues and constipation, specifically by adding bulk to stool so it can move through the colon easier and also softening stool so it's easier to push out," New York-based certified holistic nutritionist Robin DeCicco told Fox News Digital. The study found the fruits proved to be more effective than psyllium husk, a supplement Pasricha said has "long reigned queen in the gastroenterology world." Meanwhile, researchers in Norway found in 2011 that kiwi consumption helped prevent DNA breaks that can cause cancerous growths and reduced triglycerides, which are tied to heart attack risk. A 2023 study done in China also suggested that people who ate more kiwis had a 13% lower risk of colorectal cancer. "More research needs to be done to fully understand kiwi consumption and cancer risk – but the scientific groundwork has been laid," Pasricha wrote in her column. The little green fruits are also bursting with vitamins C, E and K and antioxidants known to protect against cancer, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, according to Pasricha. Those effects are gleaned from a healthy diet, she stresses, not supplements. She recommends eating kiwi at any point in the day. "My kids and I eat them after dinner as dessert," she said. While she enjoys eating the kiwi skin, which is loaded with even more fiber, she said it's not necessary. She advises adding them to a balanced diet of colorful fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes and to consult a doctor about any gut issues. DeCicco suggested getting additional kiwi in your diet by adding it to Greek yogurt with cinnamon, raw nuts and berries; giving a salad of lettuce, tomato, cucumbers and avocado some sweetness; eating it on the side of eggs; and blending it into a protein smoothie.
RNZ News
03-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
How New Zealand schools can respond better to lockdowns
School lockdowns in New Zealand feel like they're much more common these days. So, in events like these, or when there's a natural emergency - how can schools communicate quickly with parents and the wider school community? Sharlene Barnes created a free app called Skool Loop, which more than 1300 kiwi schools already use. She says what was once considered an extraordinary emergency is now a regular occurrence and hopes more schools will take advantage of what the free app offers. Children at Arakura School in Lower Hutt line up for free lunch, on 18 March, 2024. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
