Monday, February 24, 2014

A Plateful of Kiwi

While I certainly enjoy Toll House cookies, I do not make a habit of eating them.  If I did, well, let's just say it would not be a good thing.  I keep fresh fruit available at all times.  Recent purchases have included red pears, gala apples, white grapes, California naval oranges and kiwi, just to name a few.  I find a plate of kiwi particularly satisfying.


What could be better.  Yes, they are a bit difficult to peel.  But oh so worth it.  This is a plate of four kiwi, peeled and each fruit sliced into four half-inch slices.  The only thing I insist upon is that they are completely ripened before I eat them.  I do not like them under-ripe at all.  I want the outer skin to give a great deal when touched.  That is the sign that the kiwi is fully ripened.  Under-ripe kiwi is too bitter for my taste.  It takes awhile to learn at what point you prefer to consume them.  But with time you will figure it out. Consuming two to three kiwi daily can help lower blood triglyceride levels.  They are worth eating for that purpose alone in my world.

As taken from Wikipedia:


Nutrition

Kiwifruit is a rich source of vitamin C (1.5 times the United States DRI per 100 grams) and vitamin K, and a good source of dietary fiber and vitamin E.[31][36] The fruit and skin contain flavonoids, actinidain, and adhered pollen, which may produce irritation in the mouth and throat of some allergic individuals.[34]
Kiwifruit seed oil contains on average 62% alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid.[37] Usually a medium size kiwifruit provides about 46 calories,[38] 0.3 g fat, 1 g protein, 11 g carbohydrates, and 2.6 g dietary fiber found partly in the edible skin.[39] Kiwifruit is often reported to have mild laxative effects, due to its significant levels of dietary fiber.[40]

Kiwifruit contains carotenoids, such as provitamin A beta-carotene,[41] lutein and zeaxanthin.[42]
Kiwifruit components, possibly involving vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids from its numerous edible seeds, have potential properties of a natural blood thinner. A study performed at the University of Oslo in Norway reported that consuming two to three kiwifruit daily for 28 days significantly reduced platelet aggregation and blood triglyceride levels (similar to popular mainstream aspirin therapy), potentially reducing the risk of blood clots.[43]

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