With the goal of finding out more about the health benefits of kiwis, Zespri® is developing different actions, together with medical professionals, to be able to offer solid information in this regard, thus creating value for both distributors and consumers. As part of this strategy, the company has promoted a scientific study in Spain which confirms that including three green kiwis in our daily diet is effective in preventing constipation.
This scientific study, entitled 'Tackling of functional constipation with intake of kiwi in a Mediterranean population', is part of a research programme on digestive health which Zespri® is conducting throughout the world, aimed at discovering all the health properties of the Zespri Green variety.
For its development, a five week monitoring was conducted on adults diagnosed with functional constipation, who were selected by fifteen family physicians of five primary care centres.
During the first two weeks, preliminary analysis were conducted with a normal diet, while during the remaining three weeks, three green Hayward kiwis were included without changing other dietary habits.
The results of this study, published by the Revista Española de Nutrición Humana y Dietética (Spanish Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics), show that the patients' intestinal rhythm significantly improved after including three green kiwis per day in their diet.
Fibre and actinidin present in green kiwis
The high fibre content of green kiwis (3.7 g per 100 kcal) is associated with benefits on intestinal rhythm and constipation. Furthermore, actinidin, an enzyme only present in kiwifruit, helps to better digest the proteins in other foods and, therefore, to improve digestive health.
About ZESPRI®:
Zespri® International Limited is the company that markets Zespri® kiwifruit in more than 80 countries around the world. In Europe, it is present through Zespri® International Europe NV, headquartered in Antwerp, Belgium, and has offices all over Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the UK). The company keeps in touch with the tastes and trends of consumers in various European markets.