5 Health Benefits of Kiwi Fruit for Digestion

You may have heard of the many health benefits of kiwi fruit, but its powers as a natural digestive are often overlooked in favor of the other ways in which its nutrients can help the body.

Kiwi fruits are regarded as a super fruit. They’re packed full of antioxidants, Vitamin C, potassium, folate, polyphenols (phenolic acid), and fiber. They’re also a good source of Vitamin E. But let’s take a look at the specific ways that the kiwi fruit can aid your digestion.

1. Improves Digestion of Protein

Protein digestion problems can create havoc in the body as protein is an essential source of amino acids, needed for all types of cellular functions. What’s more, undigested protein leads to a build up of toxins in the large intestine. A toxic colon produces all kinds of problems including bloating and gas, weight gain, lower back pain, body odor, and bad breath.

In 2010, a scientific study confirmed long held beliefs that kiwi fruits assist in the digestion of several common food proteins (including hard to digest proteins). These are casein/sodium caseinate (a milk protein) and beef muscle protein (extracted from beef mince in the study). Some improvement in the digestion of soy protein isolate products was also noted.

How and why?

The main component of kiwi fruits is a proteolytic enzyme (an enzyme that breaks down proteins into amino acids) called actinidin. Discover more about finding the best digestive enzymes for you and your body.

2. Relieves Constipation

There have been a couple of studies carried out on the laxative effective of kiwi fruits. One study was conducted on a group of 33 chronically constipated Chinese patients, while the other study involved 38 elderly people. In both studies, patients were given two kiwi fruits a day.

The study on the Chinese patients found that ingesting kiwi fruits increased complete spontaneous bowel motions in the majority of patients. In addition, many of the patients experienced reduced bothersomeness of constipation and number of days of laxatives used, and increased satisfaction of bowel habit. There was also improvement in colon transit time and rectal sensation.

The study on elderly patients found that all tested measures of laxation were significantly enhanced when eating kiwi fruit. The regular use of kiwifruit appeared to lead to a bulkier and softer stools, as well as more frequent stool production.

This study indicated that the kiwi fruit has a number of components that may promote laxation, particularly when they interact together. These are non-digestible ogliosaccarides (complex carbohydrates that act as prebiotic agents), fiber, actinidin, and the cell wall materials.

Kiwi fruits are wonderful for natural pregnancy constipation relief. Also find out more about chronic constipation and how kiwi fruits can help.

3. Improves Bowel Function in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Sufferers

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder of the gastrointestinal system. It’s characterized by abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, and alternating diarrhea and constipation. Treatment of this debilitating disease can be difficult.

In 2010, a study was carried out to see what effect the consumption of kiwi fruit would have on IBS constipation symptoms. A total of 41 patients with IBS constipation participated in the study, which took place over four weeks of treatment. Findings were overwhelmingly positive. The patients’ weekly defecation frequency significantly increased, while colon transit time significantly decreased.

4. Prevents Against Oxidative DNA Damage

Scientific research, such as this study and this study, has shown a significant link between oxidative stress and colon cancer (also known as colorectal or bowel cancer).

Oxidative stress happens during the course of the body’s use of oxygen within the cells to create energy. Sometimes, as oxygen is reduced to water, an unstable oxygen molecule with at least one unpaired electron erroneously escapes. It’s called a “free radical”, and if it’s not neutralized by an antioxidant, it can bond with another molecule to strip its electrons in order to become stable. Hence, free radicals will damage or destroy the walls of the cells within the body, and disrupt the patterns of DNA.

Unfortunately, today’s lifestyle and polluted environment contribute a lot to oxidative stress, and dramatically increase the number of free radicals produced by the body. A high incidence of oxidative stress happens in the gastrointestinal tract, especially when proteins aren’t digested properly and toxins build up.

Kiwi fruits can help keep free radicals at bay because they are a rich source of phenolic acids, which are a type of phytochemicals called polyphenols. Polyphenols work as antioxidants in the body by contributing electrons to free radicals.

A scientific study conducted in 2001, found kiwi fruit extract to be more powerful than a solution of equivalent vitamin C in protecting DNA from the ravages of oxidative stress, and also helping repair damaged DNA.

Most of the antioxidants are in the kiwi skin, which while unappealing to eat is very nutritious.

5. Helps Maintain Good Bacteria in the Intestine

Kiwi fruits are a newly discovered source of prebiotics. These non-digestible carbohydrates feed the good bacteria in the intestine so that the bad ones don’t take over. Scientists have found kiwi fruit to be more effective than well established prebiotic inulin at improving the adhesion of Lactobacillus rhamnosus (an important good bacteria) to the intestinal epithelial cells.

The plant phenols in kiwifruits are also great for keeping the bad bacteria under control, by inhibiting their growth.

A Natural Digestive Supplement Made from Kiwi Fruit!

While kiwi fruits may have all these digestive health benefits, the challenge is actually being able to eat a couple of kiwi fruits every day. They can be expensive, and not always readily available.

Thankfully, there is an alternative. Kiwi Klenz is a revolutionary, 100% natural digestive supplement made from kiwi fruit extract (skin and pulp). It’s exclusively manufactured by Xtend-Life, a family owned company based in New Zealand, the home of the kiwi fruit.

One of the best things about it is that it’s so simple and cost effective to take — only one capsule per day is needed.

What’s more, the manufacturer is sure that Kiwi Klenz can help your digestion that they offer a money back guarantee.

Why not take a look at Kiwi Klenz today, and try it RISK FREE? Or find out what customers have to say about Kiwi Klenz in these customer reviews.