Kiwifruit is a berry. And this is basically what
makes s it nutritionally different from tree fruits,
such as apples, peaches, and pears or citrus. . Botanically
speaking, kiwifruit is from the family of climbing
shrubs known as Actinidia. It requires a warm and
gentle climate to grow and this is why kiwifruit is
produced in only a few geographic locations including
California, New Zealand, Chile, Italy and France.
Botanists say that the kiwifruit first appeared in
the Orient, and then was imported to New Zealand and
to California. Californian kiwi fruit can be spotted
in the markets from November to May.
If you want to relish the sweet taste of kiwi fruit
completely, then opt for plump, fragrant kiwi fruit.
If you'll go in for unripe fruit, it will be tart
in taste. As far as the calories in kiwi fruit are
concerned, a medium size kiwi fruit contains about
46 calories, 0.3-gram fats, 1 gm proteins, 11 gm carbohydrates,
75 mg vitamins and 2.6 grams dietary fiber, Nutrition-wise,
kiwi fruits contain about as much potassium as bananas,
and also contain 1.5 times the DRI for Vitamin C.
It is also rich in Vitamins A and E.
Kiwifruit can go with any salad plate - chicken salad,
ham or tuna salad - to add vegetable-like nutrients
and fiber to lunch. Place slices of kiwifruit on these
meat and fish salads stuffed into tomato, avocado
or green pepper. The main health benefit of this exotic
fruit is that it acts as a fabulous source of vitamins
and minerals and is an active participant in promoting
your health fitness. The seeds contained in kiwifruit
and other berries are used by the plant to carry all
the nutrients - protein, vitamins, minerals and energy
- needed to begin new life. The life of an infant
plant depends on the nutrients contained in its seed
for survival and growth. It must live on these until
it is mature enough to take or make its own food,
through roots and leaves, from the soil, and sunlight
and the air. It is packed with loads of dietary fiber
that help in regulating blood sugar. Eating vitamin
C rich kiwi fruit goes a long way in protecting you
from the clutches of asthma problem.
