{"id":79559,"date":"2025-05-06T16:12:11","date_gmt":"2025-05-06T16:12:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/79559\/"},"modified":"2025-05-06T16:12:11","modified_gmt":"2025-05-06T16:12:11","slug":"the-underrated-19p-fruit-that-can-reduce-bloating-help-you-sleep-faster-and-has-dual-benefit-for-the-heart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/79559\/","title":{"rendered":"The &#8216;underrated&#8217; 19p fruit that can reduce bloating, help you sleep faster and has &#8216;dual benefit&#8217; for the heart"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>AN apple a day? It&#8217;s time to try something more exotic.<\/p>\n<p>When it comes to Brits&#8217; favourite fruits, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/fabulous\/33869464\/grow-strawberries-indoors-all-year-tricks\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"strawberries (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">strawberries<\/a>, apples and bananas usually top the list. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Woman looking in mirror, holding her abdomen in pain.\" height=\"640\" width=\"960\" data-credit=\"Getty\" data-img=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/woman-bloating-abdominal-pain-992577984.jpg\" data-caption=\"Kiwis are a great option for dealing with bloating or sluggish digestion\"   loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/woman-bloating-abdominal-pain-992577984.jpg\" role=\"img\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>4<\/p>\n<p>Kiwis are a great option for dealing with bloating or sluggish digestionCredit: Getty<\/p>\n<p>Alongside their bright colours, juicy texture and sweet taste, their high nutritional values offer a host of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/topic\/health\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">health<\/a> benefits.<\/p>\n<p>But out of all the fruits, there&#8217;s one often overlooked because of its unassuming, brown, fuzzy exterior, which doesn&#8217;t immediately signal the nutritional value and delicious flavour it offers.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cKiwi\u00a0is one of the most underrated fruits when it comes to nutritional value,&#8221; according to Nicolle Cucco, nutrition expert at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/urldefense.com\/v3\/__https:\/\/musclebooster.welltech.com\/__;!!F0Stn7g!AkMznGy2MxZKU7EaK-rp5UaLc6JZbjmLCQuTsU7yfZtmsaIzlQ0euq033ZuN7XtD3F8hXaegTZaGGiheBHyyFRujcqAnBQ$\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Muscle Booster<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>She explained: &#8220;Not only is it rich in <a aria-label=\"vitamin C (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/health\/31611984\/tried-and-tested-vitamin-c-products\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">vitamin C<\/a>, fibre, and antioxidants, but it also contains a unique enzyme called actinidin, which plays a key role in aiding digestion.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s a small fruit, but it delivers big benefits. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Most people don&#8217;t realise just how powerful it can be for overall health.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The humble kiwi is starting to get the recognition it deserves, with nutritionists and health professionals on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/topic\/tiktok\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TikTok<\/a> sharing why the fruit could change up your health game. <\/p>\n<p>And they also won&#8217;t break the bank, with six kiwis from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/topic\/tesco\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tesco<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/topic\/sainsburys\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Sainsbury&#8217;s<\/a> costing just \u00a31.19 &#8211; 19p per fruit.<\/p>\n<p>Nicolle listed the top six reasons to make kiwi a daily habit &#8211; and why your body will thank you for it. <\/p>\n<p>1. Improved digestion <\/p>\n<p>Kiwi contains a natural enzyme called actinidin that helps break down protein and improve digestion &#8211; especially when eaten with the skin, says Nicolle. <\/p>\n<p>The 3-minute tummy massage to ease bloating, constipation and trapped wind<a href=\"#\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Woman holding two kiwi fruit halves and one whole kiwi.\" height=\"640\" width=\"960\" data-credit=\"Getty\" data-img=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/NINTCHDBPICT000992577994.jpg\" data-caption=\"Kiwis are over overlooked because of their unassuming brown, fuzzy exterior\"   loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/NINTCHDBPICT000992577994.jpg\" role=\"img\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>4<\/p>\n<p>Kiwis are over overlooked because of their unassuming brown, fuzzy exteriorCredit: Getty<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t knock it before you try it! The skin may look furry and tough, but it&#8217;s pretty easy to chew.<\/p>\n<p>Nicolle added: &#8220;It&#8217;s a fantastic option for anyone dealing with <a aria-label=\"bloating (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/health\/19985824\/beat-bloat-boost-your-gut-hacks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">bloating<\/a> or sluggish digestion.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>2. Better sleep <a href=\"#\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Teenage girl sleeping in bed.\" height=\"641\" width=\"960\" data-credit=\"Getty\" data-img=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/teenager-sleeping-bed-985244026.jpg\" data-caption=\"Studies have shown eating a kiwi an hour before bed can lead to falling asleep faster\"   loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/teenager-sleeping-bed-985244026.jpg\" role=\"img\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>4<\/p>\n<p>Studies have shown eating a kiwi an hour before bed can lead to falling asleep fasterCredit: Getty<\/p>\n<p>Swap the late night snacks of crisps and chocolate for a kiwi &#8211; add it to a spoonfull of Greek yoghurt for a low calorie dessert.<\/p>\n<p>Nicolle said: \u201cKiwi\u00a0is one of the few fruits that naturally contains serotonin, which plays a key role in regulating <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/topic\/sleep\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sleep<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Some studies even show that eating kiwi an hour before bed can lead to falling asleep faster and enjoying deeper rest.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>3. Glowing skin <\/p>\n<p>We are typically told to eat berries for glowing skin. <\/p>\n<p>But Nicolle said: \u201cThanks to its high vitamin C content,\u00a0kiwi\u00a0helps boost collagen production, which is essential for maintaining firm, youthful skin.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The antioxidants also help fight free radicals that can age your skin prematurely.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>4. Stronger immunity <\/p>\n<p>Always fighting a cold? It&#8217;s not just oranges that offer a vitamin C hit to help support the immune system.<\/p>\n<p>Nicolle said: &#8220;Just one kiwi can give you more than 100 per cent of your recommended daily intake of vitamin C.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;That makes it a powerful ally for your <a aria-label=\"immune system (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/health\/31889684\/ways-boost-immune-system-winter-quadruple-demic\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">immune system<\/a>, helping your body fight off colds and infections more effectively.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>5. Heart health <a href=\"#\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Illustration of a human heart, lungs, and blood vessels.\" height=\"673\" width=\"960\" data-credit=\"Getty\" data-img=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/human-heart-cross-section-vessels-992578035.jpg\" data-caption=\"Kiwis are high in potassium and fibre, which can help regulate blood pressure and cholesterol levels\"   loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/human-heart-cross-section-vessels-992578035.jpg\" role=\"img\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>4<\/p>\n<p>Kiwis are high in potassium and fibre, which can help regulate blood pressure and cholesterol levelsCredit: Getty<\/p>\n<p>Heart health is something we don&#8217;t often think about day-to-day, but with heart disease being the second leading cause of death in the UK, it should be a priority. <\/p>\n<p>Nicolle explained: \u201cKiwis\u00a0are rich in potassium and fibre, both of which support cardiovascular health. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Potassium helps regulate <a aria-label=\"blood pressure (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/health\/5433372\/high-blood-pressure-symptoms-hypertension-normal-reading\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">blood pressure<\/a>, while fibre helps lower <a aria-label=\"cholesterol (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/health\/5468531\/high-cholesterol-causes-level-lower\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cholesterol<\/a> levels &#8211; a double win for your heart.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>6. Weight management <\/p>\n<p>Add kiwis into your weekly shopping trolley if you&#8217;re looking to shift some pounds. <\/p>\n<p>Nicolle said: &#8220;Because they\u2019re low in calories and high in fibre, kiwis help keep you full and satisfied for longer<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;That makes them a smart snack if you\u2019re trying to manage your <a aria-label=\"weight (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/topic\/diet-nutrition-weight-loss\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">weight<\/a> or curb cravings throughout the day.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>To reap the most benefits&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>The biggest health hack when it comes to kiwis is to eat the whole fruit &#8211; including the skin. <\/p>\n<p>Nicolle advised: &#8220;Most people instinctively peel their kiwi, but what they don\u2019t realise is that the fuzzy skin is actually packed with additional fibre, antioxidants, and nutrients. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If you can get past the texture &#8211; which, for some, is similar to a peach &#8211; eating the whole fruit, skin and all, is one of the best ways to maximise its health benefits. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You\u2019re essentially doubling down on the goodness in every bite.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>And for anyone looking to incorporate kiwi into their fitness routine, its quick-digesting natural sugars provide an energy boost pre-<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/topic\/fitness-and-exercise\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"workout (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">workout<\/a>, while the vitamin C and anti-inflammatory properties support recovery afterwards. <\/p>\n<p>Nicolle added: &#8221;\u00a0It\u2019s also hydrating and rich in antioxidants, which can help reduce <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/health\/27337782\/what-muscle-aches-really-mean-when-medical-emergency\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"muscle soreness (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">muscle soreness<\/a> and oxidative stress caused by intense exercise. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Whether you\u2019re just starting out or training regularly, kiwi delivers nutrients your body can put to work fast.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Five other fruits that can help with bloating <\/p>\n<p><strong>Bananas <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Rich in potassium, bananas help regulate sodium levels in the body, which can reduce water retention and thus, bloating.\u00a0They also contain inulin, a type of fibre that supports gut bacteria, contributing to better digestion.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>Berries <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Berries like strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries are excellent sources of fibre, which helps regulate bowel movements and reduce constipation-related bloating.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>Avocados <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Avocados are rich in healthy fats, fibre, and potassium, which can help regulate fluid levels and improve gut health, reducing bloating.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pineapple <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that helps break down proteins in the digestive system, aiding digestion and reducing bloating.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Oranges <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Provide fibre and water, which can help prevent water retention and promote regular bowel movements.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"AN apple a day? It&#8217;s time to try something more exotic. When it comes to Brits&#8217; favourite fruits,&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":79560,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[443,105,302,437,234,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-79559","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-health","8":"tag-diet-nutrition-and-weight-loss","9":"tag-health","10":"tag-heart-disease","11":"tag-section-healthnews-health","12":"tag-sleep","13":"tag-uk","14":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114461772666959551","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79559","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=79559"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79559\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/79560"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=79559"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=79559"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=79559"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}