Kiwi could help with mental wellbeing
Kiwi fruits are naturally dense, meaning they’re high in nutrients and low in calories so we should be including plenty of them in our diets. But what health benefits do they hold?
Results from a recent research study into the health benefits of kiwi fruit suggest that the fruit can play a significant role in the improvement of an individual’s mental well-being.
Published in The Journal of Nutritional Science, the study into the potential mood-enhancing effects shows that eating just two gold kiwi fruit a day can improve a person’s mood and give them extra energy.
Nele Moorthamers, European Marketing Manager at Zespri, the world’s largest marketer of kiwi fruit, commented: “With smoother skin, a rich golden colour once sliced, sweeter taste and softer texture, the SunGold kiwi fruit is noticeably different to the more familiar green kiwi fruit.
“The kiwi fruit is well known for containing many nutrients, but most notably the fruit is an outstanding source of vitamin C, containing twice as much of the nutrient than an orange. This means you only need to eat one kiwi fruit a day to get your recommended daily intake of Vitamin C.
“This research found that individuals who ate two kiwi fruit a day experienced significantly less fatigue and depression and had more energy than those that were only eating half a kiwi fruit per day.
“These positive changes appear to be related to the increased level of vitamin C intake.
“So if you are feeling lethargic and in need of a boost, reach for some kiwi fruit to get you back on top of your game!”
Not only can kiwi fruit play a role in improving your mental health, recent studies have also suggested that kiwi fruit should be part of an individual’s daily diet as it is a fantastic digestive aid.
Chingford Fruit, one of Zespri’s UK distributors, who supply kiwi fruit (along with many other fruits) to major UK supermarkets, is delighted with the recent research.
Simon Cannell, Marketing Director at Chingford Fruit, commented: “Our own consumer research has shown that shoppers are unaware of some of the great health benefits of kiwi fruit and it’s a fruit that tends to be forgotten about.
“This research showcases that kiwi fruit is great for not only your physical health, but your mental health too – which we think is a really important message to get across to our consumers.
“It’s not often something that’s so good for you also tastes great!”
Commenting on the results of the study Professor Margareet Vissers from the University of Otago, where the study was conducted, said: “The two kiwi fruit per day ensured that the study group’s vitamin C levels were optimal, and this was needed to see an effect on mood and energy. The amount of vitamin C required for this is higher than the current recommended intake*.
“The study provides good evidence to support the view that there are measureable health benefits to be obtained from eating a good amount of fruit and vegetables daily.
“Vitamin C helps activate a number of enzymes in the body that enhance the levels of metabolic energy and different neurochemicals in the brain.
“This means taking in more vitamin C could decrease feelings of fatigue and increase physical and mental energy.
“For best benefit, it is important to include high vitamin C foods, such as kiwi fruit, in your daily diet.”
The study, entitled ‘Mood improvement in young adult males following supplementation with gold kiwi fruit, a high-vitamin C food’, was carried out by Professor Margreet Vissers et al, from the University of Otago, New Zealand.
Tagged in Nutrition Diet Healthy eating