Kiwifruit, the "vitamin fruit," has ten major benefits and four major contraindications - can pregnant women eat it?
Every year from September to November is the kiwifruit ripening season. Kiwifruit has a soft texture and a sweet, unique flavor, and is very popular with the public because it is rich in vitamin C and dietary fiber. So what are the benefits and effects of kiwifruit and its contraindications? Can pregnant women eat it?
I. Introduction to kiwifruit
Kiwifruit is oval-shaped, about the size of a large chicken egg, measuring 5-8 cm (2.0-3.1 inches) in length and 4.5-5.5 cm (1.8-2.2 inches) in diameter. It has fibrous, dark greenish-brown skin and bright green or golden flesh with edible black seeds. It has a soft texture and a sweet, unique flavor. It is a commercial crop in several countries, such as New Zealand, Chile, Italy, Greece and France.
II. Benefits, effects and contraindications of kiwifruit
1. Nutritional composition of kiwifruit
To understand the benefits of kiwifruit, you first need to know what nutrients kiwifruit is rich in. The specific nutrients are shown in the table below:
| Kiwifruit nutritional composition (per 100 g) |
| Calories (kcal) 56 |
| Potassium (mg) 144 |
| Carotene (mcg) 130 |
| Vitamin C (mg) 62 |
| Calcium (mg) 27 |
| Phosphorus (mg) 26 |
| Vitamin A (mcg) 22 |
| Carbohydrates (g) 14.5 |
| Magnesium (mg) 12 |
| Sodium (mg) 10 |
| Dietary fiber (g) 2.6 |
| Vitamin E (mg) 2.43 |
| Copper (mg) 1.87 |
| Iron (mg) 1.2 |
| Protein (g) 0.8 |
| Manganese (mg) 0.73 |
| Fat (g) 0.6 |
| Zinc (mg) 0.57 |
| Niacin (mg) 0.3 |
| Selenium (mcg) 0.28 |
| Vitamin B1 (mg) 0.05 |
| Vitamin B2 (mg) 0.02 |
2. Benefits and effects of kiwifruit
(1) Amino acids — aid sleep, improve constipation
Kiwifruit is rich in vitamin C, E, β-carotene, calcium, magnesium, amino acids and other components. The slight acidity of kiwifruit can appropriately promote intestinal peristalsis, enhance food absorption, reduce the occurrence of bloating, help people fall asleep easily, reduce the occurrence of arteriosclerosis and improve constipation.
(2) Promote digestion, improve arthritis, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease
Kiwifruit is rich in fiber, pectin and amino acids, which help improve indigestion, loss of appetite, urinary tract stones, arthritis, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, liver spots and so on.
(3) Cancer prevention
Kiwifruit can block the formation of "ammonium nitrite," which is a carcinogenic factor, and can prevent esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, rectal cancer and so on.
(4) Germanium — improve vision, prevent lung cancer and prostate cancer
Kiwifruit contains trace amounts of germanium, which effectively prevents retinal detachment, improves vision decline, and prevents the occurrence of lung cancer and prostate cancer. It is the best anti-cancer fruit for people around smokers.
(5) Low sodium, high potassium — improve heart and high blood pressure conditions
Because kiwifruit contains low sodium and high potassium, as well as rich magnesium and arginine, which can avoid blood vessel blockage, it can effectively improve heart disease, high blood pressure and so on.
(6) Antioxidants — beauty and skin care
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