“Eat more types of fruit with less sugar”

On 13 October, Zespri organised the first Benelux Seminar on kiwi fruit and health. Véronique Parmentier and Juliet Ansell gave a speech about the future of kiwi fruits. “Nowadays, almost everyone in the world knows the kiwi fruit. Zespi is a market leader of kiwi fruits, the company markets kiwi fruits in more than 50 countries. The company accounts for 30 per cent of total volume traded worldwide. In New Zeeland, more than 2,500 cultivators are active on an area of 12,000 hectares. In addition, another 1,300 cultivators in other countries have about 2,000 hectares, in total, of kiwi fruit Gold production.”

“If more people knew the health benefits of kiwi fruits, they would be consuming more per year. The more knowledge, the higher the consumption. Zespri works with various partners from science, research institutes and universities to do research, find proof and give support.” 

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes and chronic lung diseases have become the world's leading cause of death. Jaap Seidell, of the VU Amsterdam, spoke about preventing or delaying these diseases by having a healthy lifestyle. “In 2013, 382 million people had diabetes. In 2035 that will be 592 million people. This is because people will have more chance of getting it, genetically speaking, but it can also be due to unhealthy lifestyles, such as obesity, poor diets and a lack of exercises. Globalisation of marketing and the selling of unhealthy food encourages these unhealthy lifestyles. Another reason is the increasing urbanisation, allowing people to become less active,” according to a speech in New York on 14 November 2013, World Diabetes Day.

Jaap Seidell also emphasises that research has shown adjusting your lifestyle can decrease the risk of diabetes. Eating healthy is important. And he also showed figures that prove that the consumption of fruit significantly decreases the risk of diabetes. Exercise is also very important for this. Not all fruit is the same. “We have to eat fewer types of fruit that make the sugar levels in our blood peak right away, including pineapple and mango. Grapefruit, lemon and kiwi fruit, on the other hand, have low sugar levels, which means the energy is given to the body in a balanced manner. These are the types of fruit we should consume more often.” The government has to start with children to promote a healthier lifestyle. “In Amsterdam, 30,000 children are overweight. Children from 2 to 18 years old eat more fruit, but not more vegetables. Fortunately, Europe organises various things for children, such as the school fruit action. Government can do many things to promote healthier lifestyles, such as improving the availability and affordability of fruit and vegetables. They should involve cultivators, retailers, parents and schools in that.”

In addition to these, more presentations were given, especially on the health benefits of kiwi fruits. These will follow in the coming week. “Kiwi fruits are not just delicious, they also possess a number of advantages and health benefits. Kiwi fruits have much to offer: they are good for digestion, they offer vitality and they improve metabolism and general health.”