Nutrition and Immunity
An important part of being healthy is our ability to fight off illness and for the body to protect itself internally against the ordinary stresses and strains of life. This is what our immune system does and there is a direct link between how well our immune system functions and the foods we eat.
Nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and antioxidants are required by the body to activate protective processes against external threats (e.g. infection and the effects of environmental toxins) or internal threats (damage caused by natural body processes like exercise and ageing).
Kiwifruit are a 'super-fruit' and an excellent fruit source of vitamins, other nutrients, antioxidants and phytochemicals. It's not surprising then, that kiwifruit have been shown to beneficially affect the immune system.
For a glossary of commonly used terms in the scientific literature on immunity,
click here.
ZESPRI® Kiwifruit can strengthen your natural defences for everyday protection
We know that ZESPRI® Kiwifruit are packed with nutrients - how how does this help our immune system?
Research undertaken by the ZESPRI Health Institute shows that eating ZESPRI® GOLD Kiwifruit helps boost the natural defense response in mice. The unique combination of naturally occurring carotenoid antioxidants in ZESPRI® GOLD Kiwifruit may also have a positive effect on the body's natural defences.
Two recently published studies looked at the effects of kiwifruit consumption on the immune system response to a common challenge (vaccination) in mice and both found very positive results, justifying further research into humans, which is currently underway.