43 woman this month | August 2012 | A Super-Fruit Packed with more Vitamin C than an equivalent amount of orange, the bright green flesh of the kiwifruit speckled with tiny black seeds adds a dramatic tropical flair to any fruit salad. It is almost creamy in consistency with an invigorating taste reminiscent of strawberries, melons and bananas, yet with its own unique sweet flavour. Bringing it to a ‘super fruit’ status, however, is its bumper bundle of health benefits. The inside story Citing high levels of Vitamins C and E, low glycemic index (GI) and high fibre content, the kiwifruit is particularly well suited to the Middle East due to the help it provides in the management of diabetes, which is so prevalent in the region. Everyone knows that citrus fruits contain Vitamin C, but a kiwifruit actually contains twice as much as an orange of the same size does; three times as much as a lemon. This helps strengthen the body’s defences and promotes healthy bones, teeth and blood vessels. Kiwifruit is also a good source of the antioxidant Vitamin E, providing twice as much as an apple does; it is five times more nutritious. That’s not all for this package of goodness. High in fibre, it helps improve digestion in a natural way. It is also the only fruit that contains a soluble protein enzyme called actinidin, which is a natural laxative helping digest proteins from meat and dairy products and stimulating digestion in general. Going for gold Making kiwifruit an integral part of a balanced diet, combined with sufficient fluids and exercise, is the easy way to achieve good digestion habits. Look out for a new gold variety that has hit the market, which has shown to provide faster Vitamin C absorption in the body than an artificial vitamin supplement and it retains it longer in the organs and tissues. Often considered an exotic fruit due to its sweet and succulent nature, people tend to undervalue the boons of the kiwifruit. Low in calories and full of antioxidants, it is a healthy natural source of folic acid as well. Having a couple daily is a delicious way to enjoy cardiovascular health and to prevent macular degeneration. So, when are you going to grab a bagful of these emerald delights? Nothing looks more tempting than a fresh fruit smoothie to soothe ourselves while we battle with the scorching heat. It’s much better when it is green — or gold! A few quick serving ideas: l Kiwifruit is so delicious; they can be eaten as it is. Peel with a paring knife and slice. l Add it to tossed green salads. l Serve sliced kiwifruit and strawberries; topped with yoghurt. l Mix sliced kiwifruit, orange and pineapple together to make a kind of chutney that can be served as an accompaniment to chicken or fish. l Blend it with cantaloupe in a food processor to make a chilled soup. For a creamier consistency, blend yoghurt in with the fruit mixture. l It offers a wonderful flavour and appearance to fruit tarts.
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