Kiwi
Description:
Kiwifruit is the most nutrient-rich of the top 26 fruits consumed in the world today. It also has the highest density of any fruit for vitamin C and magnesiumóa limited mineral in the food supply of most affluent countries and a nutrient important for cardiovascular health. Among the top three low-sodium, high-potassium fruits, kiwifruit ranks number one, having more potassium than a banana or citrus fruits.
Based on the data published in the international scientific literature and the U.S. Food and Drug Administrationís approved legal definition of a good (>10% of the daily value (DV)) or excellent (>20% of the DV) source, kiwifruit may be classified as an excellent source of vitamin C as well as dietary fiber. By the FDA's definition, kiwifruit would also be a good source of vitamin E and potassium.
Kiwifruit is low fat and contains no cholesterol. Unlike other fruits, kiwifruit has an unusually broad complement of nutrients. Most fruits tend to be high in only one or two nutrients, but kiwifruit delivers 8% DV of folic acid, 8% DV of copper, 8% DV of pantothenic acid, 6% DV of calcium and magnesium, 4% DV of iron and vitamin B6, 2% DV of phosphorus and trace amounts of vitamin A (beta carotene) and other vitamins and minerals.
Kiwifruit has been shown to contain an antimutagenic component, helping to prevent the mutations of genes that may initiate the cancer process. The presence of glutathione may account for the reduction. Inositol is found in kiwifruit. Recent studies have shown that inositol, because of its function as a precursor of an intracellular second messenger system, can be beneficial in the treatment of depression.