Kiwi fruit is a delicious little green fruit that is native to China and known as the Chinese gooseberry, but then imported and grown in New Zealand where it was re-named kiwi after the bird native to New Zealand. Kiwi fruit is incredibly flavorful and healthy. If you can source it where you live I highly recommend trying this smoothie because it is delicious. But, it also helps your body with digestion. Kiwis contain a substance called actinidain, which is a protein dissolving enzyme that can help you digest a meal, not unlike papain and bromelain in papaya and pineapple.
Kiwis also contain another compound that hasn’t yet been isolated which accelerates the digestive transit time even faster than dietary fiber. This very mild “laxative” effect helps prevent build-up of toxic and potentially cancer-promoting metabolites.
When purchasing your kiwis, ripe ones will give slightly to pressure. Avoid kiwis that are too soft and mushy. If they are hard and unripe, you can let them ripen at room temperature but not in direct sunlight. I always recommend 100% organic food but kiwis are fairly low in potential pesticide residue (13 out of 100) according to the Environmental Working Group. So, just don’t eat the skins if you’re not getting organic. Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients:
- 3 kiwi
- 1 green apple
- 2 cups of spinach
- 1 cup coconut water
Blend and Enjoy!
