While its name might imply that the kiwifruit originated in New Zealand, it is actually native to China and was originally called the Chinese gooseberry. However, New Zealand is responsible for introducing the kiwifruit to the rest of the world. The kiwifruit is a nutrient-rich fruit, providing a variety of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals needed for good health, including the antioxidant lutein.
Lutein
Lutein is a substance found in plants that provides its natural pigment. It is one of the primary sources of pigment in the kiwifruit, creating its distinctive green hue. Lutein is a carotenoid, and a member of the vitamin A family of nutrients. However, lutein is a nonprovitamin A carotenoid, which means your body cannot convert it into retinol, the active form of vitamin A. Instead, your body uses lutein as an antioxidant, protecting your cells against oxidative damage and risk of a number of chronic diseases.
Benefits of Lutein
Including more lutein-rich foods, like the kiwifruit, in your diet offers a number of health benefits. People with higher intakes of lutein in their diets have lower rates of atherosclerosis -- clogged arteries -- colon cancer and renal cell carcinoma, according to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Lutein is also associated with eye health, and intake is linked to fewer cataracts. Lutein may also help lower your risk of developing macular degeneration, a condition that can occur as you age, causing you to lose your ability to see objects clearly.
How it Works
Lutein accumulates around your retina and lens. It is not quite understood how lutein protects your eye from macular degeneration and cataracts, but it mostly likely relates to its antioxidant properties, reports Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. As an antioxidant, it also helps enhance the immune system, prevent cell mutations and protect against cancer and heart disease.
Lutein in Kiwifruit
A 1-cup serving of kiwifruit contains 220 micrograms of lutein and zeaxanthin, another carotenoid associated with eye health. The amount of lutein you need each day for good health has not been determined. While kiwifruit is a good source of lutein, some foods are better. For example, a 1-cup serving of cooked chopped broccoli contains 1,685 micrograms of lutein and zeaxanthin. Your body can only absorb about 70 percent of the lutein in the kiwifruit. Consuming your kiwifruit with a source of fat, such as nuts or seeds, enhances its absorption.
References
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; Lutein; July 2011
- California Kiwifruit Commission: History of Kiwifruit
- USDA: Nutrient Database
- National Eye Institute; Facts About Age-Related Macular Degeneration; August 2010
- "Journal of Experimental Botany"; The Kiwifruit Lycopene Beta-Cyclase Plays a Significant Role in Carotenoid Accumulation in Fruit; Charles Ampohmah-Dwamena, et al.; June 2009
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