With their bright green flesh and uniquely sweet and seedy texture, kiwis certainly leave an impression. But how do kiwis affect your health? As it turns out, these colorful fruits give you a ton of important nutrients that can aid in immunity, gut health, , heart health and more, dietitians tell TODAY.com.
For starters, kiwis pack "lots and lots of " Grace Derocha, registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, tells TODAY.com. A kiwi is also going to provide a good boost of fiber, antioxidants and potassium, adds Shelly Wegman, registered dietitian at UNC Rex Nutrition Services.
Those nutrients have health benefits for your entire body — and may even help you get better sleep, she tells TODAY.com. In , you'll find: All that fiber — plus many essential vitamins, minerals and other nutrients — makes kiwi an extremely healthy fruit choice.
If you're watching your blood sugar, "kiwis are than a lot of fruits," Derocha explains. They have similar glycemic index values to berries because kiwis are technically in the berry family, she notes. Kiwis may be on the small side, but they contain a mighty dose of nutrients that can aid in everything from gut health to immunity and even sleep.
In particular, kiwi is an "amazing source of vitamin C," Wegman says. One cup of kiwi provides 134 milligrams of vitamin C, which is more than 100% of your daily recommended amount and more than you'll find in a cup of orange. The antioxidants in kiwi, includ.