Haven’t heard – or tasted – gold kiwifruits before? That’s because they are the best kept health secret. But they should be high on everyone’s seasonal menu. Gold kiwifruits are a great way to start the day as one of the world’s most nutrient-rich fruits. They offer a veritable goldmine of nutrients including fibre, potassium, vitamin E and C and folate. Here, Geraldine Georgeou, Accredited Practicing Dietician and spokesperson for Zespri Gold Kiwifruits explains the secret benefits that lie within these golden beauties…
1. Beauty Benefits For Your Skin
Packed with vitamin E, gold kiwifruit contains 1.32mg of vitamin E per 100g – an antioxidant that protects and repairs your skin. “Antioxidants are important nutrients that can neutralise the oxidant effect of free radicals, which are molecules that can damage collagen and cause skin dryness, fine lines and wrinkles,” explains Geraldine. “Vitamin E is one of the most powerful antioxidants and is an essential fatty acid, which your body cannot produce. This means you have to make sure you’re getting enough of this valuable nutrient in your diet.”
2. Lull Yourself Into A Beauty Sleep
Skip the high fat and sugar custard and instead, eat two gold kiwifruits an hour before bedtime will help you fall asleep quicker. You’ll sleep more soundly and feel better rested when you wake up in the morning. While every person is unique, seven or eight hours of sleep is ideal. “When we are asleep, our cells rebuild and repair themselves (the growth hormone functions only at night),” explains Geraldine. “If you don’t sleep, this function is impaired.”
3. Eat Healthy & Stay Regular
Gold kiwifruits contain an amazing protease enzyme called actinidin. “This is a digestive enzyme unique to kiwifruit that aids the digestion of foods after meals and can help to keep you regular,” says Geraldine. It helps to break down proteins and relieves that bloated feeling, so no-one will ever ask if you are ‘expecting’ again!
They also contain three times more vitamin C than oranges (on same weight basis), fulfilling 100% of your daily needs in one serve. “As well as being a delicious sweet-treat, gold kiwifruits are one of the most nutrient-rich fruits around,” explains Geraldine. “Inside the furry coat are twenty nutrients and minerals, including fibre, folate, potassium and vitamin E.”
4. Promote Your Nutrition Quotient and Fertility
Gold kiwifruit contain nutrients that make them a natural way to promote good nutrition for fertility, and they’re low G.I, says Geraldine. “Adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes a low Glycaemic Index carbohydrates, balanced proteins and low fat foods rich in essential nutrients like folate, combined with regular exercise and focus on a ‘health weight’ could help to promote fertility in women trying to conceive,” she says. “Gold kiwifruit is a low G.I. food that is low fat and a rich source of folate.”
And if conceiving is stressing you out, the high vitamin C and folate content may help. “The flu-fighter vitamin also wards off the effects of stress – and as we know – less stress = higher chances of falling pregnant,” explains Geraldine. “Kiwifruit also contains 10% of the recommended daily folate value, vital for the health of a mother and child during pregnancy, and for the prevention of birth defects.” And don’t forget about your partner – who plays a 50/50 role in conceiving, as these little beauties also contain zinc – great for men as it helps to produce testosterone. “Consuming a low GI, balanced lean protein and good fat eating plan whilst incorporating nutrient rich foods including Zespri Gold Kiwifruit will help provide adequate nutrition including folate and help with the planning of fertility alongside a balanced lifestyle, regular exercise and healthy weight.” says Geraldine.
Geraldine Georgeou, is an Accredited Practicing Dietician and spokesperson for Zespri Gold Kiwifruits.
