Zespri SunGold kiwifruit: the perfect snack for sports-active kids on the go!

Most family schedules are jam-packed full with extracurricular activities and sports. This is great news for mums, as physically active kids are not only healthier, but more likely to be academically motivated, alert and successful.¹

However, when it comes to kids and sports or active play, it is important to ensure that excessive sweating does not disrupt the sensitive fluid and electrolyte balance in the body.²

Why potassium is important?

Potassium is important as it is necessary for muscular contraction and it contributes to the maintenance of normal blood pressure.

Low potassium levels can make muscles feel weak, cramp or twitch, so it essential to replenish amounts lost through sweat.³ Luckily, replacing the small amount of potassium lost during exercise is simple. Potassium is commonly found in a variety of unprocessed foods, especially fresh fruits and vegetables.⁴

How much potassium does your child need?⁵

Recommended intakes for potassium for children are:

• 3,000 mg/day for children aged 1 to 3 years
• 3,800 mg/day for children aged 4 to 8 years
• 4,500 mg/day for children aged 9 to 13 years

How Zespri SunGold kiwifruit help restore the body’s potassium balance

When most people think of potassium, bananas immediately come to mind. However, few people know that kiwifruit are also a good source of this important mineral. In fact, one serving of Zespri SunGold kiwifruit provides almost as much potassium as a medium banana!⁶

What’s more, Zespri SunGold kiwifruit pack an amazingly healthy dose of 20 essential nutrients to directly benefit your child’s body, making it one of the healthiest fruits available.⁶

Zespri kiwifruit are not only nutritious, but highly portable – perfect for an easy on-the-go snack. Just cut Zespri SunGold in half and scoop it out.

Sources

1. National Association for Sport and Physical Education. Physical education is critical to a complete education.
2. National Institute of Health US Library of Medicine. Electrolytes. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002350.htm (accessed 3 October 2016)
3. Merck Manual. Overview of potassium. Available at: http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/hormonal-and-metabolic-disorders/electrolyte-balance/overview-of-potassium (accessed 3 October 2016)
4. World Health Organization. Potassium intake for adults and children. Available at: http://www.who.int/nutrition/publications/guidelines/potassium_intake_printversion.pdf (accessed 3 October 2016)
5. Sodium and potassium recommendations. Available at: https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/document/html/chapter8.htm (accessed 3 October 2016)
6. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 28 (2015).