Kiwi : Intestine Best Friend

Kiwi fruit had been known as one type of fruit with high nutrients and vitamin C. But more than that, kiwi also have hidden benefit that is needed by human body. Behind its brown furry skin and green flesh fruits, kiwi turned out contain digestive enzyme that can help the absorption of protein. That enzyme called actinidin. This is a protease enzyme which contain in a kiwi fruit. This enzyme will digest protein so it will be absorbed by the body.

As is known, in digestive process that occurs from mouth to the small intestine, the body needs a variety of digestive enzymes which is protease (to digest protein), lipase (to digests fat), and amylase (to digests carbohydrates). A healthy digestive tract will prevent the entry of bacteria and toxins as well as keep the immune system. To keep the digestive tract stay healthy, your body needs nutritious foods such as fruit.



Fruits contain fiber, probiotics, and digestive enzymes that help digestion and absorption role. Kiwi contain vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, prebiotic fiber and enzymes actinidin. Kiwi also contains vitamin C two times higher than oranges and proved 5 times more effectively absorbed by body. Kiwi fruit is also rich in folic acid which is beneficial for women who want to get pregnant, also has low glycemic index so it is safe for diabetics.

Help digestive process

Fiber content in green kiwi fruit is very high compared to other fruits such as bananas, apples and oranges. Fiber in kiwi fruit is divided into two types, soluble fiber and insoluble fiber.

Soluble fiber plays a role in helping to keep blood sugar levels remain stable. This will make sugar absorption slower, so the the increase in blood sugar levels are not excessive and did not fall dramatically. Soluble fiber also helps stabilize blood fat levels and helps maintain blood lipid levels.

Meanwhile, insoluble fiber helps maintain intestinal health by preventing constipation and feeding the good bacteria. Intestine not only function as digestion, but it can prevent the entry of bad bacteria and toxins to the body. It will also improve our immune system.

So, if all these people think it only serves to intestinal absorption, that's wrong. If the colon is unhealthy, then the bacteria will easily enter into intestinal cells, causing disease in the body.

If we eat less insoluble fiber, bowel movements become difficult. As a result, toxins, dirt and bacteria in the gut will be longer. The longer it is in contact with intestinal wall, it will damage the intestinal cells.

Unique enzyme

Kiwi fruit has long been believed to help digestion in stomach, Beside the fiber is high, kiwi fruit contains a unique enzyme, which is function to digest protein so it is more easily absorbed by the body.

This was confirmed by two research laboratories performed by Riddet Institute, Massey University and Zespri International. Research is done by using green kiwi fruit extract as the source of enzyme actinidin. This study uses laboratory study method to see digestion in stomach and intestines.

In his study, researchers used variety of food sources of protein such as beef, milk protein (whey protein), soy milk, wheat protein (gluten), protein of maize, collagen and gelatin. Then all that food tried to be digested with simulated gastric and intestinal supplemented with actinidin, which comes from the extract of kiwi fruit.

The results showed that actinidin and fiber content in kiwi may help better protein digestion, helps maintain blood sugar and blood fats and maintain intestinal health.