A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition has
reinforced the health benefits of New Zealand Gold kiwifruit,
confirming that regular intake of the fruit can help reduce the
symptoms of a cold.
Regular intake of
Gold kiwifruit can help reduce the miseries associated with the
common cold.
The study, commissioned by ZESPRI and undertaken by Plant
& Food Research, found that regular consumption of
gold kiwifruit showed benefits in reducing certain symptoms of
colds; namely the duration of sore throat and head congestion and
the severity of head congestion.
The 20-week study monitored the well-being of 37 healthy older
people over the winter and spring period. Participants were asked
to eat ZESPRI GOLD Kiwifruit daily for
four weeks then switch to banana (or vice versa), with a four week
kiwifruit/ banana-free period prior to each treatment period.
The results showed a reduction in self-reported cold symptoms
with gold kiwifruit compared to banana, with sore throat symptoms
reducing from 5.4 days to 2.0 days and head congestion from 4.7
days to 0.9 days.
Natalie Milne, Health Marketing Manager for ZESPRI, said the
study was further evidence of the tremendous nutritional properties
of Gold kiwifruit.
"Eating just one ZESPRI kiwifruit a day provides you with your
daily requirement of vitamin C and offers much more; they are high
in fiber, aid protein digestion and contain vitamin E. When eaten
daily, as part of a healthy diet, ZESPRI kiwifruit offer numerous
health benefits, allowing individuals to stay healthy and fight
disease and infection," Ms Milne said.
The research is part of an ongoing initiative with leading
health research bodies to understand the health and nutrition
benefits of both green and gold kiwifruit.
