Feeling bloated after a meal? Grab a kiwi: Fruit contains compound that helps digest red meat, dairy and fish
- - Faster digestion of food proteins occurs due to presence of unique enzyme present
- only in kiwi fruit
- - As well as aiding digestion, kiwi fruit has more vitamin C than the equivalent amount
- of orange
- - Kiwi fruit is rich in actinidin which breaks down protein quicker than digestive enzymes
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Kiwi fruit: The exotic fruit has been found to contain a unique compound which helps to digest proteins found in red meat, dairy and fish
Dessert may be the answer to avoiding that bloated feeling after overindulging at the dinner table.
Eating a kiwi fruit following a meal has been linked to improved digestion and a reduction in the feeling of ‘overfullness and discomfort’, according to scientists.
The exotic fruit has been found to contain a unique compound which helps to digest proteins found in red meat, dairy and fish.
The findings suggest that even a single fruit could aid those with poor digestion, particularly those in their later years, after consuming a heavy dairy-laden meal or meaty burger.
‘The observed enhancement of gastric protein digestion after eating kiwi fruit may increase the rate at which protein is absorbed in the small intestine, ultimately affecting the overall protein utilisation in the human body,’ said lead author Dr Lovedeep Kaur from Massey University in New Zealand.
‘Faster and more complete digestion of food proteins occurs due to the presence of a unique naturally occurring enzyme present only in kiwi fruit, actinidin.
‘The kiwi fruit enzyme alone, even in the absence of any other digestive enzymes, is found to be capable of digesting many proteins present in foods, particularly, yoghurt, cheese, tuna and raw eggs, which suggests that eating a kiwi fruit with a protein-rich meal may be a suitable solution for those with compromised digestion.’
As well as aiding digestion, kiwi fruit has more vitamin C than the equivalent amount of orange.
But a growing number of people are reporting an allergy to the furry green fruit, with severe reactions occasionally reported, particularly among children.
The research was carried out in lab models and in rats, and the kiwi enzyme was shown to conclusively aid protein digestion.
The study, published in the journal Advances in Food and Nutrition Research, concluded: ‘It is clear from the studies that consuming green kiwi fruit as part of a protein-rich meal increases the extent of protein digestion, particularly in the stomach.’
Beef Burger: a single kiwi fruit could aid those with poor digestion, particularly those in their later years, after consuming a heavy dairy-laden meal or meaty burger
It added: ‘Faster stomach emptying in the presence of actinidin…may help reduce feelings of overfullness and gastric discomfort sometimes reporter by those consuming a high-protein diet.’
The research was funded by the world’s largest marketer of kiwi fruit, Zespri. European marketing manager, Nele Moorthamers, said: ‘Although somewhat already recognised as a natural digestive aid, this research focused on the role of kiwi fruit in the breaking down of food protein that can be particularly hard to digest in comparison to other foods.
‘Kiwi fruit is rich in actinidin which breaks down protein quicker and more effectively than digestive enzymes can do alone, making kiwi fruit a perfect choice to overcome digestive issues.
‘So after a summer of BBQs and overindulging we should be reaching for a kiwi fruit to help alleviate bloating and the highly uncomfortable sensation of an overfull stomach that we all know so well.’
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