I must admit, I have always thought of the kiwi as one ugly looking fruit. Because of their hairy appearance and odd, lime green color, I never bought them or used them in any of my recipes. Anytime I enter the fruit section of the supermarket, I pretty much ghosted them.
While researching fruit with significant benefits for perimenopausal and premenstrual women, the kiwi keeping popping up on my computer screen. At first, I raised my upper lip in disapproval, but then I decided to see what it truly had to offer. Boy, was I surprised when I realized how great it was for relieving hormonal imbalance.
The kiwi, also known as the Chinese gooseberry, has many black seeds inside it. As bizarre as they appear, these seeds contain omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids are very important for women both mentally and physically. More on this soon. Kiwi are also a great source of vitamin C, A, K and folate. Likewise, it contains important minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous. As if that wasn’t enough, the outer skin provides a great source of fiber, which promotes both a healthy gut and colon. If the skin repulses you like myself, consider peeling it before you eat it. You will still reap all its other superpowers.
Here are 6 bonus benefits this sweet fruit can brag about…
1. Decreases inflammatory cells in the intestines and eases Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Rich in Omega-3, they aid in keeping your lungs, heart, blood vessels, and immune system working properly.
2. Rich in collagen and promoting healthy breathing, asthma sufferers may find that they will wheeze less after eating them.
3. Many hormonal women are no stranger to PMS and midlife depression. Containing twice the serotonin as tomatoes, kiwis are known to boost mood and promote “happiness”.
4. Eaten before bedtime, kiwi are known to promote slumber and relaxation, something peri-menopausal and menopausal women often dream about.
5. Containing 84 micrograms of lutein, kiwis support vision health and help combat against glaucoma and cataracts.
6. Bleeding women around the world are no strangers to anemia. Thanks to its high concentration of vitamin c, kiwis boost the amount of iron our bodies take in.
The moral of this blog, is not to judge a book by its cover. Though the kiwi isn’t the most pleasant thing to look at, it’s what’s inside that counts most. As a menopausal woman myself, I understand suffering and we ,women, will try almost anything to get relief for hormonal issues. With that said, just be sure you are not allergic to kiwis before consuming them, because we don't need any additional problems on our plate.
Reference:
Cohen, S. June 11, 2018. " Ask The Pharmacist: 7 medical benefits of kiwi fruit". May 7, 2022. <https://www.marconews.com/story/life/2018/06/11/ask-pharmacist-7-medical-benefits-kiwi-fruit/684568002/>.