Kiwifruit - Packed with goodness

Kiwifruit is not just loaded with vitamin C, it is a powerhouse of nutrients.

It is kiwifruit season from May to December. Zespri, a kiwifruit brand from New Zealand, wants to get Malaysians to eat two kiwifruits a day. In its six-month Extreme Nutrition, Extreme Vitality campaign, it is promoting the goodness of the fuzzy brown fruit.

Zespri International, which represents 2,700 growers in New Zealand, exports kiwifruit to 70 countries and has 23% of the world’s kiwifruit market.

New Zealand first exported its Green kiwifruit to Britain in 1952. The first Gold kiwifruit which took 20 years to develop from natural cross-breeding was exported in 1998.

Nowadays, the Gold kiwifruit is grown outside New Zealand by Zespri contract growers in eight countries.

The Green, Gold and organic kiwifruits are mainly imported by Malaysia, says Daniel Mathieson, Zespri International (Asia) market manager.

He claims that Zespri has “the best- tasting kiwifruit in the world” and “consistency in quality”.

“The Gold kiwifruit (with bright golden flesh) is growing popular because of its tropical sweet taste. The more popular Green kiwifruit has a sweet sour taste and bright green flesh,” he says.

“The Green kiwifruit has more fibre – 3.4g per 100g compared to the Gold kiwifruit which has 1.4g.”

Mathieson explains why the Gold kiwifruit costs more: “It takes more experience to grow the vines which are harder to control. Growers also have to be more careful when harvesting and packing the fruits to prevent injury to the fruits because the Gold kiwifruit has ‘a beak’.”

Red kiwifruit is still being developed. It is slightly smaller than the Green kiwifruit and has a sweet taste.

The research team is working to improve its taste, colour, appearance and export characteristics.

Nutritional powerhouse

Kiwifruit is one of the superfruits (which includes oranges, cranberries, blueberries, pomegranates, bananas and apples) owing to its many health benefits.

Zespri has invested over RM25mil in a scientific programme that demonstrated the positive effects of kiwifruit on digestive health, immune support, cell damage and repair, cardiovascular health and interaction with other food to enhance its nutritional status, says Mathieson.

In its promotional flyer, Zespri claims that kiwifruit has immune-boosting qualities; it contains twice the amount of vitamin C in an orange and as such “provides a shield against colds and flu”.

“Kiwifruit is nutrient-rich and its vitamin C is a blast,” says Lynley Drummond, Zespri International’s health science manager, who bemoans that “many foods today are loaded with carbohydrates and calories”.

“For your cells and antibodies functions, you need your vitamin C every day. One kiwifruit gives you vitamin C for the whole day. The Gold kiwifruit has 110mg vitamin C (the recommended dietary intake is 75 mg per day for an adult).”

An avocado and kiwifruit grower, Drummond goes on to give a quick rundown on the health benefits of eating kiwifruit.

Kiwifruit is “fibre fabulous”, she exclaims, adding that it helps to ease bloatedness after a heavy meal. At a dinner party, Drummond never fails to serve kiwifruit salsa with salmon.

Mathieson also has an antidote for indigestion for durian aficionados. “Try eating kiwifruits with durian,” he suggests. “It helps to ease bloatedness.”

Babies from six months onwards can take kiwifruit, he says, adding that he had given his then six-month old son, Keanu, soft slices of kiwifruit to suck on. “Now, at four, he wants only the Gold kiwifruit!”

Zespri Ambassador Dr Norzita Mohd Yusof says the kiwifruit is wholesome and loaded with many health benefits.

“Kiwifruit has phytochemical compounds which are important to prevent cancer. The more colourful fruits you eat, the more phytonutrients you have and the more they reduce your risks of cancer.”

Fibre-rich kiwifruit is essential to help cleanse and improve one’s digestive system and promote a healthy heart and body.

“It has a mild laxative effect unlike some fruits which send you ‘flying’ to the loo soon after eating them,” says Dr Norzita.

More benefits

Kiwifruit supposedly has almost the same amount of potassium as a mango. Potassium is said to be helpful in reducing high blood pressure and helps to regenerate nerves and muscles quickly.

Kiwifruit also has four peaches’ worth of folate, which is crucial before and during pregnancy for healthy development of the baby and also for healthy skin and blood cells.

It is also loaded with antioxidants such as polyphenols and carotenoids to offer protection from damaging free radicals. One kiwifruit boasts the vitamin E of three apples, and vitamin E is claimed to lower cholesterol and soothe and heal damaged skin tissue.

Weight watchers and diabetics will be happy to know that kiwifruit, particularly the Green kiwifruit, has a low glycemic index and has as much dietary fibre as a serving of bran flakes.

This month, Zespri will partner gym chain Fitness First to host a series of sampling activities to highlight the goodness of kiwifruit.

It will also visit Real Kids kindergartens to promote kiwifruit consumption to 2,000 preschoolers.

- THE STAR