Kiwi

Related Terms

1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid, 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone, 2-(5-methyl-5-(oxiran-2-yl)-tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)propan-1-ol, 2,6-dimethyl-6-hydroxyocta-2,7-dienal, 2,8-dimethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridec-11-enyl)chroman-6-ol, 2alpha,3alpha,23-trihydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid, 2alpha,3alpha,23-tri-hydroxyursa-12,20(30)-dien-28-oic acid, 2alpha,3alpha,24-trihydroxyursa-12,20(30)-dien-28-oic acid, 2alpha,3alpha,24-trihydroxyursa-12-en-28-oic acid, 2alpha,3beta,19,23-tetrahydroxylolean-12-en-28-oic acid, 2alpha,3beta,19,23-tetra-hydroxyl-urs-12-en-oic acid, 2alpha,3beta,24-trihydroxyursa-12-en-28-oic acid, 2alpha-hydroxyoleanolic acid, 2alpha-hydroxyursolic acid, 2-cyclohexen-1-one, 2-ethylfuran, 2-hexanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol, 2-methylbutanoate, 2-methylpropanoate, 2-(methylsulfanyl)acetate ester, 2-(methylsulfanyl)ethanol, 3beta-O-acetylursolic acid, 3-hydroxy-2-butanone, 3-hydroxy-beta-damascone, 3-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-2-butanone, 3-methyl-2-butenal, 3-methyl-3-buten-2-one, 3-(methylsulfanyl)propanal, 3-(methylsulfanyl)propanol, 3-O-trans-p-coumaroyl actinidic acid, 3-penten-2-ol, 4-vinylguaiacol, 6-(2-pyrrolidinone-5-yl)-(-)-epicatechin, 8-(2-pyrrolidinone-5-yl)-(-)-epicatechin, 8-hydroxylinalool, 8-oxolinalool, 23-hydroxyursolic acid, abscisic acid, actinchinin, Actinidiaceae (family), Actinidia arguta, Actinidia arguta (Sieb. et Zucc.) ex Miq., Actinidia arguta (Sieb. et Zucc.) Planch. ex Miquel, Actinidia arguta var. giraldii, Actinidia chinensis 'Hort 16A', Actinidia chinensis L., Actinidia chinensis var. chinensis, Actinidia chinensis var. 'Hort 16A', Actinidia chinensis Planch., Actinidia coriacea, Actinidia deliciosa (A.Chev.) C.F.Liang et A.R.Ferguson var. deliciosa, Actinidia deliciosa [A.Chev.] C.F.Liang and A.R.Ferguson var. deliciosa 'Hayward', Actinidia deliciosa Chev. cv. Hayward, Actinidia deliciosa cv. Golden King, Actinidia deliciosa cv. Hayward, Actinidia deliciosa var. deliciosa, Actinidia kolomikta, Actinidia macrosperma, Actinidia melanandra, Actinidia polygama, Actinidia purpurea, Actinidia sinensis Planch. (ASP), Actinidiaceae, actinidic acid, actinidin, alcohols, alkanals, alkanoic acids, alkanols, alkyl alkanoates, alpha-linolenic acid, alpha-tocopherol, anionic proteinase, anthocyanins, arabinogalactan proteins, aromatic compounds, ascorbate, ascorbic acid, asiatic acid, baby kiwi, benzenes, benzenoids, benzoic acid, benzyl alcohol, beta-pheylethyl alcohol, beta-sitosterol, beta-steriol, betulinic acid, caffeic acid glucosyl derivatives, campesterol, carotenoids, catechin, China gooseberry, Chinese egg gooseberry, Chinese gooseberry, Chinese gooseberry fruit, chlorogenic acid, chlorophylls, cinnamic acid, confieryl alcohol, corosolic acid, coumarin glucosides, cyanidin 3-O-galactoside, cyanidin 3-O-glucoside, cyanidin 3-O-xylo(1-2)-galactoside, cytokinins, delta-tocopherol, diethyl succinate, dihydroactinidiolide, dihydronepetalactone, dried kiwi, (E,E)-2,6-nonadienal, epicatechin, ergosta4,6,8,(14),22-tetraen-3-one, eriantic acid B, ethyl 3-(methylsulfanyl)prop-2-enoate, ethyl butanoate, eugenol, euscaphic acid, flavonoid glycosides, folic acid, forchlorfenuron, fructooligosaccharides, furaneol, galactoglucomannan, glycosyltransferases, goat peach, gold kiwi, green kiwi, hairy bush fruit, hairy pear, hardy kiwi, hex-E2-enal, hexanal, hexanoate, hexyl hexanoate, 'Hortgem Tahi' kiwifruit, hydrocarbons, indole-3-acetic acid, insoluble fiber, iridomyrmecin, isomeric flavonoids, isopentenyladenine, jyutping, ketones, kiivi, kissper, kivi, kiwellin, kiwi extract, kiwi fruit, kiwifruit berry, kiwiionside, lilac alcohol epoxides, lilac alcohols, lilac aldehydes, lutein, macaque peach, macaque pear, monoterpenes, n-butyl-O-beta-D-fruto-pyranoside, nonanal, norisoprenoids, octane, organic acids, oxalate, pectic polysaccharides, pectin methylesterase, pectin methylesterase inhibitor, phloe, phloe-zyactinase, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, phytoalexins, pinoresinol, pinyin, planchol A, planchol B, planchol C, planchol D, potassium, proanthocyanidin B-4, profilin, proteinase A 2, purple kiwi, quercetin 3-O-beta-D-[2G-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-6G-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl] glucopyranoside, raspberry ketone, red kiwi, red-fleshed kiwifruit, sarunashi, serotonin, sesquiterpenes, silver vine, sterols, stigmasterol, strange fruit, sugars, sunny peach, teng li gen, teng li gen root, terpenes, terpenoids, thaumatin-like protein, thiol-proteases, triterpenoids, undecanoic acid, unusual fruit, ursolic acid, vine pear, vitamin C, vitamin E, volatile oils, wonder fruit, wood berry, yang-tao, (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, zeatin, zeatin riboside, zeaxanthin, Zyactinase?.

Background

Kiwi contains high amounts of vitamin E, serotonin, and potassium, and it is known to have the highest density of vitamin C among all fruits. It is also low-fat, cholesterol-free, and believed to be a good source of folic acid. However, even with these possible benefits, kiwi has been linked to a growing number of reports of allergies.
Kiwi is believed to have antioxidant effects and has been used to protect against lung problems and to improve heart health. However, high quality evidence supporting the use of kiwi in humans is lacking. More research is needed.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Early research has looked at the effects of kiwi extract on measures of allergic sensitivity in humans. More research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Early research has looked at the effects of kiwi extract on measures of allergic sensitivity in humans. More research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Early evidence shows that adding kiwi to the Western diet may improve antioxidant status and other heart health indicators in healthy people. More research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Early evidence shows that adding kiwi to the Western diet may improve antioxidant status and other heart health indicators in healthy people. More research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Limited evidence shows that eating three kiwi fruits daily may lower blood pressure. However, results are conflicting, and more research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Limited evidence shows that eating three kiwi fruits daily may lower blood pressure. However, results are conflicting, and more research is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Early research suggests that kiwi extract may promote bowel movements and improve quality of life in elderly people with constipation. Some research found that a freeze-dried kiwi extract called Zyactinase? may help relieve constipation, while other research reported that it may promote healthy gut bacteria. However, firm evidence is still needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Early research suggests that kiwi extract may promote bowel movements and improve quality of life in elderly people with constipation. Some research found that a freeze-dried kiwi extract called Zyactinase? may help relieve constipation, while other research reported that it may promote healthy gut bacteria. However, firm evidence is still needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Early research suggests that a drink that contains kiwi may improve athletic performance. However, high-quality evidence is needed before conclusions can be made on the effectiveness of kiwi for improving energy.

 C


Early research suggests that a drink that contains kiwi may improve athletic performance. However, high-quality evidence is needed before conclusions can be made on the effectiveness of kiwi for improving energy.

 C


Kiwi has been used to protect against respiratory illness and to increase lung function. A survey found that kiwi and other fruits high in vitamin C may benefit children who have lung conditions such as wheezing. However, high quality evidence supporting the use of kiwi for lung conditions is lacking. More studies are needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Kiwi has been used to protect against respiratory illness and to increase lung function. A survey found that kiwi and other fruits high in vitamin C may benefit children who have lung conditions such as wheezing. However, high quality evidence supporting the use of kiwi for lung conditions is lacking. More studies are needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Human research found a lack of effect of kiwi extract in people who had chronic skin rashes. More research is needed.

 C


Human research found a lack of effect of kiwi extract in people who had chronic skin rashes. More research is needed.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (over 18 years old)
To treat allergies, two 500-milligram PG102 (kiwi extract) tablets have been taken by mouth twice daily for eight weeks.
To improve antioxidant status, 150-500 milliliters of kiwifruit juice has been taken by mouth. Two kiwi fruits have been taken by mouth daily for two weeks. Three kiwi fruits have been taken by mouth daily for eight weeks. One or two golden kiwifruit have been taken by mouth daily for four weeks.
To improve heart health, two or three kiwifruits have been taken by mouth daily for 28 days.
To treat constipation, two capsules of freeze-dried kiwi extract (Zyactinase?) have been taken by mouth three times daily for four weeks.
To enhance energy, 500-1,200 milliliters of kiwifruit juice has been taken by mouth.
To treat high blood pressure, three kiwifruits have been taken by mouth daily.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Kiwi may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
Kiwi may affect blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also affect blood sugar. People taking drugs for diabetes by mouth or insulin should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Kiwi may cause low blood pressure. Caution is advised in people taking drugs that lower blood pressure.
Kiwi may also interact with agents that may affect the immune system, agents that may treat kidney conditions, agents that may treat lung conditions, agents that may treat skin conditions, agents that may treat stomach conditions, antiasthmatics, antibiotics, anticancer agents, antidiarrheals, antifungals, antihistamines, athletic performance enhancers, bone agents, cholesterol-lowering agents, hormonal agents, laxatives, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), weight loss agents, and wound-healing agents.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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Cravotto G, Bicchi C, Mantegna S, et al. Extraction of kiwi seed oil: Soxhlet versus four different non-conventional techniques. Nat.Prod.Res 2011;25(10):974-981.
Garcia CV, Quek SY, Stevenson RJ, et al. Characterization of the bound volatile extract from baby kiwi (Actinidia arguta). J Agric.Food Chem. 8-10-2011;59(15):8358-8365.
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