Health Benefits And Uses Of Gold Kiwifruit

Gold Kiwifruit Background & Benefits

Gold kiwifruit are similar in size and shape to green kiwifruit but are hairless on the outside. They have yellow flesh, taste sweeter than green kiwifruit and have a slightly tropical flavour. The Gold kiwifruit is a large edible berry. While all other kiwifruit are cultivars of Actinidia deliciosa, the gold kiwifruit is a distinct and independent species called Actinidia chinensis.

The gold kiwifruit is a patented variety which was naturally bred in New Zealand. Though the cultivar's technical name is Hort 16a, its commercial name is Zespri Gold or SunGold. Although kiwifruit are commonly associated with New Zealand, gold kiwifruit are grown around the world, under license from Zespri. Gold kiwifruit thrives in fertile soils in mild temperate climates, making many parts of New Zealand the ideal climate for this crop.

Until relatively recently, gold kiwifruit wasn't considered as beneficial to gut health as green kiwifruit, which have more dietary fibre and higher amounts of the enzyme actinidin. However, gold kiwifruit are still an excellent source of dietary fibre, folate and minerals such as magnesium and potassium. They have higher levels of vitamin C than green kiwifruit. Like its green cousin, gold kiwifruit also improves bowel regularity.

Gold kiwifruit also offer a specific benefit to the gut microbiome. Research shows that gold kiwifruit provides novel prebiotic fibres that increases the amount of a beneficial bacteria in the bowel called Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (F. prau).

1. prau is very important for gut flora balance and is one of the most abundant bacteria in the human gut ecosystem. Low numbers of F. prau have been associated with irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease, and chronic constipation. F. prau is consistently found in higher concentrations in people with a healthy digestive system and is one of the most important "good" bacteria in the microbiome.
2. prau is one of the main producers of butyrate in the digestive system. Butyrate is a molecule that has a crucial role in providing energy to cells lining the digestive tract, thereby keeping the gut lining intact and protecting against inflammation and associated digestive problems.

Gold kiwifruit has been termed a "precision prebiotic", providing fibre that stimulates the growth of F. prau which produces more butyrate for a healthier digestive system, providing an array of health benefits.

Xtendlife uses Livaux™Gold Kiwifruit Powder. This is the premium, branded gold kiwifruit powder that is made from 100% New Zealand-grown non-GMO Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit. The kiwifruit are processed by proprietary methods to preserve their active components, for maximum health benefits.

Not only does New Zealand have clean air and water, ample sunshine and rich soil, it also has higher UV levels than other countries at similar altitude. UV-intensities in the New Zealand summer are at least 37% higher than similar latitudes in the northern hemisphere.

More UV in the sunlight creates more polyphenols in plants. New Zealand-grown kiwifruit has higher bioactivity levels of beneficial polyphenols than gold kiwifruit grown elsewhere.

Uses of Gold Kiwifruit Powder

The most common use for gold kiwifruit powder is to support a healthy digestive system and to help relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome or other digestive problems.

Signs You May Need Gold Kiwifruit Powder

If you’re suffering unpleasant digestive symptoms such as constipation and/or diarrhoea, gas, bloating, pain or cramps, you may benefit from taking Gold Kiwifruit Powder.

REFERENCES:

Guinane CM, Cotter PD. Role of the gut microbiota in health and chronic gastrointestinal disease: understanding a hidden metabolic organ. Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2013 Jul;6(4):295-308.

Lopez-Siles M, Duncan SH, Garcia-Gil LJ, Martinez-Medina M. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii: from microbiology to diagnostics and prognostics. ISME J. 2017 Apr;11(4):841-852.

Blatchford P, Stoklosinski H, Eady S, Wallace A, Butts C, Gearry R, Gibson G, Ansell J. Consumption of kiwifruit capsules increases Faecalibacterium prausnitzii abundance in functionally constipated individuals: a randomised controlled human trial. J Nutr Sci. 2017 Oct 12;6:e52.