Under the shaggy brown-skinned kiwi hides a bright green juicy flesh - real storehouse of vitamins and minerals. Today, the use of kiwis no one no doubt, but until recently many refer to this exotic fruit in disbelief. Kiwi are good not only for food but also as a cosmetic, and as a cure for some diseases.

Shaggy berry

The name of the fluffy fruit vines Actinidia received for a vague resemblance to the body of the New Zealand bird of the same name. Actinidia - a plant widespread in China, so it is sometimes the fruit is also called Chinese gooseberry. At the beginning of the last century of wild Actinidia it was brought to the territory of New Zealand, where breeders managed to bring a new variety of vines with large tasty and healthy berries The most useful fruit - the magic of nature . Today, kiwifruit is grown in many countries in sub-tropical climate.

From the perspective of biology, kiwifruit - a berry. The weight of a berry is from seventy to one hundred and ten grams. Peel kiwi thin, brown-brown hue, pubescent. Under the skin hides juicy flesh is bright green or yellowish (as, for example, varieties «Goldenkiwi») shade with lots of tiny black seeds that can be eaten.

Ripe fresh berries have an intense aroma and a pleasant sweet-sour taste with hints of strawberry, gooseberry, melon. They are delicious by themselves, and as an ingredient in fruit salads and desserts. Kiwi and cook jams and marmalades.

Energy and nutritional value

Kiwi - one of the few fruits that are allowed in almost all weight loss diets. At 100 grams of kiwi (namely much it weighs an average of one fruit) contains 14, 66 g carbohydrate, 1 g slightly more protein and less than 0, 5 grams of fat. Contained in kiwi and soluble fiber - pectin. Calorie Kiwi is 61 kcal per 100 grams.

The kiwifruit is very rich in Vitamin C - 100 g contains more than 92 mg of ascorbic acid. This is more than currants, sweet peppers and citrus - to recognize "champions" on the content of vitamin C. A lot of these berries and vitamins Group B: pyridoxine, niacin, thiamine, riboflavin and folacin. Rich berries and minerals, especially potassium, which in 100 g of green pulp contains 312 mg. Furthermore, kiwi much calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc and manganese.

What is useful kiwi

Low-calorie, but rich in nutrients, vitamins, trace elements and antioxidants fruit - the perfect choice for those who are dieting, and not only. Scientists are constantly discovering new and new properties kiwi:

• The fruit is good for the heart and blood vessels. Due to the high content of potassium and magnesium kiwi is very useful for cardiovascular system. Including kiwifruit in the diet can decrease the risk of diseases such as atherosclerosis Atherosclerosis - when problems with blood vessels   and high blood pressure, strengthen blood vessels and heart.
• Kiwi strengthens the immune system. Especially valuable is the property of the fruit in the winter, when the diet is not rich in vitamin Vitamins for everyone   C. containing a large amount of ascorbic acid fruit increases the body's resistance to infectious diseases, gives energy, stimulates rapid cell regeneration.
• Kiwi helps to resist diseases of the respiratory system. Scientists still have not figured out the mechanism of action of kiwi in lung ailments, but experiments have confirmed that people who regularly eat kiwi fruit, less likely to suffer from bronchitis and asthma.
• Cleaning action. The kiwifruit are rich in fiber. This fruit helps to eliminate toxins from the body of any origin. The kiwifruit - the perfect remedy for constipation: enough to eat a few berries for breakfast, to forget about this problem.
• Kiwi improves digestion. Kiwi is not only struggling with constipation, but also facilitates the digestion of food, especially protein. These fruits help to get rid of belching and a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen.
• Kiwi helps cleanse the kidneys. Potassium-rich fruit has a mild diuretic effect. There is evidence that kiwifruit are good for the prevention of kidney stones.
• The fruit helps to lose weight. The kiwis a little sugar, almost not at all fat and calorie content of fruit is low. But this fruit due to the high fiber content is very satisfying: a couple of kiwi enough to eat. In addition, the fruit is rich in enzymes that stimulate the fat burning process. Thus, Kiwi - an ideal product for those who want to lose weight.
• Kiwi is widely used in cosmetology. Mask of crushed kiwi - the perfect anti-aging, toning and moisturizing agent. Flesh kiwi, applied to the skin, nourish it with vitamins and fruit acids contained in refreshing complexion.

Kiwi is not for everyone

Lush green fruits are shown not all. Due to the high content of organic acids are not Kiwi suitable for those suffering from gastritis with high acidity and gastric ulcer and bowel. Do not get involved in this fruit and other gastrointestinal diseases, as the kiwi has a mild laxative effect, which is not always desirable.

Sometimes kiwifruit cause allergic reactions, which may be accompanied by skin rash and edema including edema of the larynx. Individual intolerance - a good reason to completely eliminate the kiwi and meals with him from his menu. Like other exotic fruits, kiwi fruit is not recommended for children up to three years.

How to eat kiwi

Some experts recommend eating a kiwi fruit with the peel. It was hairy skin of the fruit contains beneficial antioxidants. Of course, before you eat brown kiwi, it must be thoroughly cleaned and possibly cleaned of lint using a special brush.

Most eating kiwi still cleared. Cut into slices of fruit used to decorate desserts. If the kiwi is served as a separate dish, that it eats a small spoon, eating her juicy pulp and leaving the fuzzy skin.

Maria Bykov

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