Top 10 Health Benefits of Kiwano

Kiwano, also known as horned melon, is a fruit with a strange appearance that have origin in Southern Africa. Not until the past century, does the fruit introduce to other places out side Africa such as New Zealand and Australia. Due to the name of kiwano, some assume that it has biological connection with kiwis. In fact, the name just comes from the similar appearance and consistency between kiwano and kiwis.
Apparently, kiwano is covered by a gold or orange skin and small spikes but inside of the fruit has the appearance of a kiwi and the fruit pulp contains the main culinary ingredient.
According to experts, kiwano is packed with an array of nutrients and organic compounds. Furthermore, they also estimate that 80% of the weight of each kiwano is water. This profile of nutrients makes kiwano one of ideal fruit to improve human health.

Here are the Top 10 health benefits of kiwano.

1. Antioxidants
Kiwano is rich in alpha-tocopherol, a powerful antioxidants used to improve the functioning of blood vessels and nerves. Besides, antioxidants are necessary to neutralize and inhibit free radicals so that these harmful factors cannot cause any harm to the body and lead to diseases.

2. Cognitive Function
The vitamin E present in kiwano is believed to have the power of boosting the brain functioning and reducing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Besides, kiwano is also loaded with numerous tocopherol variations, which makes it a perfect fruit to freshen the mind with both young and old people.

3. Heart Health
One of the most excellent benefits of kiwano to human health, improving the heart functioning and preventing heart diseases are extremely important. This is thanks to the rich content of linoleic acid that helps to strengthen cardiac muscles. Besides, kiwano is really low in cholesterol levels.
Dates are also highly effective in promoting heart health and preventing related diseases. For further infomation, read more health benefits of dates.

4. Weight Loss
Kiwano is extremely low in fats and calories, but 80% of its weight is water. Accordingly, kiwano is able to keep you hydrated and feel full so that you can prevent hunger pangs and reduce the calories intake. Don’t worry that your body will be lack of nutrients and energy it needs since the rich profile of nutrients in kiwano is more than enough to help you deal with it. Read also Superfoods for Weight Loss.

5. Metabolism
Metabolism is the process in which nutrients in food source is converted into the simpler form for body to use more easily. Since this is an important mechanism of the body, you’d better provide necessary elements for its functioning, especially zinc. This is a substance that are often get neglected by people but it has so many functions in our body such as boosting metabolism, producing protein, accelerating healing process and improve other organs, cells and blood vessels. To make sure your body gets enough zinc, regularly consume kiwano, a fruit that are rich in this valuable substance.

6. Aging Process
Another benefit of kiwano is reducing signs of aging like wrinkles and age spots, etc. This is due to the content of vitamins, antioxidants and organic compounds in kiwano that can protect and improve the skin health. Furthermore, with a healthy amount of kiwano consumption, you can treat and prevent blemishes while reducing the risk getting scars after that.

7. Stress
The underlying cause of stress is the unbalanced hormone changing in the body, including adrenaline and stress hormone. Fortunately, the organic compound in kiwano can help you deal with this problem by regulating the hormone levels in the body. If you are suffering from stress, depression or anxiety, take some kiwano to relax both your mind and body to quickly get rid of stress.

8. Eye Health

Vitamin A is well known as an essential substance for eye health because it works as an antioxidant to protect the eyes from free radicals. As a result, the risk of developing macular degeneration and cataracts is significantly reduced thanks to the proper amount of vitamin A intake. There are many natural sources you can get vitamin A, including kiwano.

9. Bone Strength
Besides vitamins and antioxidants, kiwano is loaded with minerals such as calcium, copper, magnesium, manganese, etc. These valuable substances work effectively together to benefit your bone health, promoting its growth and development as well as reducing the risk of bone diseases like osteoporosis.

10. Digestive System
Most of fruit rich in fiber are able to promote digestive health by boosting peristaltic motion and clean the gastrointestinal tract. Besides, the fiber can stave off bloating, constipation, gastric ulcer and even cancer. Over and above that, dietary fiber also helps you to balance the cholesterol level as well as manage the insulin receptors, keeping diabetes and heart diseases at bay.