What Is the Difference Between Kiwifruit and Kiwi? A Full Breakdown of Benefits and Who Should Avoid It
Kiwifruit is rich in nutrients, and the fresh fruit has a balanced sweet-and-sour taste. There is also a very similar fruit called kiwi. So what is the difference between kiwifruit and kiwi? What are its benefits and effects? Who should not eat it?
1. The difference between kiwifruit and kiwi
1. Kiwifruit originated in China and was originally a wild fruit. It was not until the early last century that a female teacher from New Zealand brought it back to her country from Wudu River in Yiling District, Yichang City, Hubei Province, and it was developed into the fruit known as kiwi. Therefore, it can be simply understood that kiwifruit and kiwi are the same variety of fruit: kiwifruit is domestically grown, and kiwi is imported.
2. Kiwi and kiwifruit are very similar in shape and color. The fuzz on the surface of kiwi is distributed very evenly, and there are even kiwis with no fuzz at all. Kiwi also feels smooth and relatively pleasant to touch. Kiwifruit, on the other hand, has uneven fuzz distribution and feels rather rough.
3. The timing for eating kiwi and kiwifruit is also different. Kiwifruit has the best flavor when it is fully ripe and soft, while kiwi tastes good when the fruit is still fairly firm.
2. The benefits and effects of kiwifruit
1. Beauty and skin care: Kiwifruit is rich in vitamin C, which has antioxidant properties and plays a positive role in reducing wrinkles and fine lines. In addition, kiwifruit is rich in vitamins and dietary fiber but low in fat, so it has certain benefits for weight loss, fitness, and beauty.
2. Detoxification and colon cleansing: Kiwifruit is rich in dietary fiber. This dietary fiber not only helps lower cholesterol and promote heart health, but also aids digestion, eliminates toxins, prevents constipation, and effectively clears and prevents harmful metabolites from accumulating in the body.
3. Preventing depression: Scientists have found through research that kiwifruit can effectively regulate hormone and nerve transmission effects within cells, and can effectively help patients with depression stabilize their mood and calm their mind. In addition, the natural inositol contained in kiwifruit can help our brain activity and further provide a basic guarantee for this mood-stabilizing effect.
4. Preventing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases: One third of the fiber contained in kiwifruit is pectin, especially in the part where the skin meets the flesh. Pectin can lower blood cholesterol levels and prevent cardiovascular diseases.
5. Preventing cancer: Kiwifruit contains a substance called anti-mutation glutathione, which helps inhibit cancer-causing gene mutations and has a certain inhibitory effect on the pathological changes of various cancer cells, including liver cancer, lung cancer, skin cancer, and prostate cancer.
6. Relieving scurvy: Kiwifruit juice can be drunk as a beverage and has a positive therapeutic effect on relieving scurvy. One glass of kiwifruit juice a day can greatly improve skin tone and texture within one month. The vitamin C it contains helps lower blood cholesterol levels and plays a role in dilating blood vessels and lowering blood pressure.
3. How to choose kiwifruit?
1. Look at the shape. Generally, a plump shape, even color, and skin close to earthy yellow are usually a sign of longer sunlight exposure, which means the kiwifruit will be sweeter. At the same time, kiwifruit with a pointed tip should be chosen, as this generally means less hormone use.
2. Check the feel. When choosing kiwifruit, pay attention to whether the surface is intact and whether there are any sunken areas, and whether it is elastic. If a part or the whole fruit is relatively soft, it is advisable not to choose it, because a locally soft fruit generally does not keep and is very easy to spoil. It is recommended not to choose it.
3. Look at the color. When choosing kiwifruit, it is recommended to choose ones with yellowish-brown skin and a glossy appearance. At the same time, it is better if the fuzz on the skin does not fall off easily. Generally, this type of fruit is sweet and sour and tasty.
4. Check the firmness. When choosing kiwifruit, it is generally recommended to choose firmer ones. If the fruit is relatively soft or partly soft, it is not recommended to choose it. Generally, if it is soft, it does not keep and spoils easily.
5. Look at the size. Generally, it is not true that the larger the fruit, the sweeter it is. When choosing, do not blindly pick large fruits. Generally, small fruits are no worse in taste than large ones. If the fruit is unusually large, it is recommended not to choose it.
4. Who should not eat kiwifruit
1. People with deficient cold of the spleen and stomach: Kiwifruit is a cold-natured fruit. People with deficient cold of the spleen and stomach already have relatively poor spleen and stomach function and should not eat foods with a stronger cold nature. Eating kiwifruit will increase the burden on the stomach and intestines and may cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, acid reflux, and heartburn, so people with deficient cold of the spleen and stomach should not eat kiwifruit.
2. People who are prone to diarrhea: People who are prone to diarrhea already have a relatively poor digestive system, and kiwifruit promotes digestion and helps with bowel movements, so eating kiwifruit will make diarrhea more severe.
3. People with frequent urination: The flesh of kiwifruit is tender and juicy and has a relatively high water content. Eating it has a diuretic effect, so people with frequent urination should best not eat it, as doing so will worsen the condition.
4. Women during menstruation: Women should eat some warm foods during menstruation and should best not eat cold-natured foods, especially when menstrual flow is heavy, so as to avoid harm to the body.