To Peel Or Not To Peel: You Might Be Eating Kiwi The Wrong Way- Surprising Benefits To It

The first bite of Kiwi is always a surprise—refreshing, tangy, and full of flavor. I have begun adding this to my morning routine because of its high in fiber, antioxidants and immunity-boosting vitamin C. It seems a small yet mighty step towards better digestion, radiant skin and a overall healthy beginning.

While we're all are used to eating only the vibrant green interior, a Maryland-based chronic pain specialist, Dr Kunal Sood, recently took to TikTok and revealed that the skin of the kiwi is actually a nutritional powerhouse that most of us are overlooking. Dr Sood has explained to his followers through a post that by removing the kiwi skin, one throws away about a significant portion of fibre, vitamins, and antioxidants.

"By consuming the skin, you increase the fiber content by almost 50%, aiding digestion and reducing bloating,” he said. That's especially significant given the role that dietary fiber plays in gut health, said helping feed the beneficial bacteria that support digestion and reduce cancer risk. High-fiber diets may lower the risk of cancers like esophageal, gastric, colon, and rectal, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research. Kiwi fruits, with or without peels, help fulfill some of the fiber in everyday consumption.

Doctors say everyone needs at least 25 to 30 grams of fibre each day in which women need at least 25 grams whereas men need 38. There are two kinds- soluble and insoluble fibres. The former works as a nourishment component for gut bacteria, hence produces compounds that do not let inflammation happen. Conversely, the latter one lets a person go to toilets on time and there can be less bloating.

Kiwi skin, according to Dr Sood, holds three times more antioxidants compared to the fruit itself. Antioxidants like vitamin C and E in the kiwi skin fight free radicals, which are highly reactive molecules causing cellular damage, accelerating aging, and increasing the risk of cancer. In fact, antioxidants enhance immunity and help with healthier, stronger skin. For their more complete and bioavailable forms, nutritionists often recommend getting antioxidants from whole foods rather than supplements.

And kiwis offer both vitamin C and E in spades, which can benefit skin elasticity and reduce oxidative stress for a healthier glow. Besides the health benefits on physical well-being, vitamin C can even improve mental wellbeing.

Researchers from New Zealand found that consuming vitamin C-rich kiwi can elevate mood in as little as four days. Considering the daily recommendation—90 milligrams for men and 75 milligrams for women—a serving of kiwi (especially with the skin) helps meet these needs while enhancing overall resilience against common health issues like scurvy, immune weakness, and skin dullness.

If the fuzz bothers you, you can try smooth-skinned gold kiwis or even puree whole kiwis into smoothies for a similar benefit without texture challenges.

Kiwi is a fruit that boasts a lot of health benefits and cuts any diet above its own. Here are some highlights:

Kiwi, on the other hand, with almost half of its fiber content in the skin, aids in digestion, relieves bloating, and encourages bowel movements. It has also been found to reduce risks of digestive cancers and feed beneficial gut bacteria with high fiber intake.

Kiwi's skin provides three times more antioxidants than the fruit itself, such as vitamins C and E. The antioxidants neutralize free radicals that cause cellular damage, slow aging, and fight disease.

Kiwi is rich in vitamin C, which has the immune-boosting ability, and helps to recover people from diseases in a hurry, keep their skin and mental health fit.

Antioxidants can be found in kiwifruit, especially from the skin, which slows down inflammation, which most people need for chronic health issues, such as joint pain and heart disease patients.