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While we browse the produce section of the supermarket we often overlook our fuzzy pal the kiwifruit in favor of our more eye-catching friends. Do not be fooled by the tough exterior of Kiwi. Just under the surface of the Kiwifruit lies a tart treat for your taste buds as well as an ally to your health.

Born over 700 years ago in the Yangtze River valley of northern China was a russet-brown berry. She came into the world weighing less than one pound, and measuring 2-21/2 inches long. Yang-Tao was her name. Spirited in her native forests, she grew wild and woody. A healthy twining vine she prepared, climbing 10 to 15 feet wide, 18 to 24 feet long, and 9 to 12 feet high.

It came as no surprise to the Chinese khans, who considered Yang-Tao an aphrodisiac, that word got around. Missionaries carried this hidden treasure to New Zealand, where she was tagged the Chinese gooseberry. Before long, Ms. Gooseberry was a popular back yard vine, making her way to California where 10% of Kiwi still grows organically today. (www.crfg.org)
What kiwi lacks in beauty she compensates in substance. Relatively pest-free, except for the occasional cat nuzzle, (Kiwi vine trunks have an odd catnip like aroma), keeps her at bay from harsh chemicals.

Of the most commonly consumed fruits, kiwifruit is the most nutrient dense, so says Dr. Paul Lachance of Rutgers University. The kiwi proudly shares her shield with us, offering substantial protection against DNA damage that can trigger cancer as well as speeding the repair of DNA. With twice the vitamin E of an avocado and 60% of the calories, antioxidants abound reducing the risk of heart disease and some forms of cancer.

Peel a layer from our ripe kiwi to find a glistening bright green fruit, splashed white in the center with dark purple seeds, undetectable when eaten. Take a bite and she will heal your heart, literally. Two of these tiny indulgences a day can significantly lower your risk for blood clots by 18%, and reduce the amount of triglycerides in your blood by a whopping 15%. (California Kiwifruit Commission)

Sure the orange is a citrus and bigger, but one serving (2 medium) of Kiwi has nearly twice the vitamin C of an orange, aiding in the maintenance of bones, blood vessels, and teeth. Say hello to my little friend and tell asthma symptoms good-bye. In the April 2004 issue of Thorax, a study showed that children eating 5-7 servings of citrus and kiwi per week had 44% less incidence of wheezing compared to children eating the least (less than once a week).

Kiwifruit cannot leap tall buildings in a single bound, but she has a stealthy amount of the fluid balancing mineral potassium, warding off those spiteful muscle cramps. Ten percent of the U.S. Recommended Daily allowance of folic acid lives in the sweet center of our green girl to reproduce and form red blood cells. Rich beyond her years, the kiwi is in antioxidant lutein, to fight off age-related macular degeneration. Give your digestive tract a hand by adding some kiwi to your bran accumulating 16% USRDA of fiber. (California Kiwifruit Commission)

You have made a strong choice today in the quest for your well-being by giving kiwifruit a chance to work her magic on you. For more information on the bountiful benefits of kiwi, visit www.kiwifruit.org. For a more detailed description and growth processes, log onto www.crfg.org.

Learn more about this author, TC Crumpton.
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