The Surprising Part Of Kiwi Fruit That Helps You Digest
Digestion problems are a lot more common than you think. And it’s not just bloating or discomfort after meals but also reflux, constipation, food intolerances and even issues with moods, mental health and immune health.
We’ve got a lot to say about the gut, and we’ve got plenty of interesting blog posts coming up soon. So make sure you are signed up to our newsletter so you don’t miss out!
But today we’re spotlighting an interesting fact about kiwi fruit we bet you never knew. Because it turns out this little green gem is not just the perfectly sweet and sour fruit but it also can help you digest food!
Kiwi fruit naturally contains actinidin, which is a proteolytic enzyme.
A proteo-what?
We know most people have absolutely no idea what on earth a proteolytic enzyme is. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
“Proteo” means protein, and “lytic” means to break apart. So basically… To break apart proteins. Still with us?
Our body of course naturally has proteolytic enzymes, which is partly how we digest the protein in the food we eat. But as it turns out you can also eat them in foods like kiwi. Isn’t nature amazing?
According to studies, the actinidin in kiwi provides enhanced upper-tract digestion of a variety of food proteins, particularly those in yoghurt, cheese, fish, and raw eggs.
In fact it works so well that kiwi fruit has even been used to tenderise meat!
So what does this mean for you?
Well you may have already found that some proteins can be a little tougher to digest. Perhaps you feel some discomfort after a protein-heavy meal or you just feel like your body isn’t doing what it’s meant to do.
So try incorporating kiwi into your diet, and you may find it eases these symptoms. You could eat some as dessert, add it to your smoothie or granola, or even add it to a salad for a hit of sweet and sour.
However you’d like to do it, kiwi is such a great addition to the diet for a healthy gut. There’s a reason why it’s the hero of our TummyBare gummies!
