Is it true that organic kiwifruit is healthier for you than non-organic ones? The Environmental Working Group (EWG) releases lists on an annual basis that rank conventionally cultivated food according to the amount of pesticide residue it contains. These rankings range from highest to lowest. On occasion, kiwis that were cultivated using traditional methods will make their way onto the list. Organic items fall under the category of EWG's least clean products. However, before you jump to the conclusion that purchasing organic kiwifruit is a waste of money, you should be aware of the following fact: the difference between organic and conventional kiwifruit is not limited to the presence or absence of pesticides in the fruit.
It would appear that the manner of growth can also have an effect on the nutritional value of kiwifruit (and, therefore, the health benefits of kiwifruit). Continue reading to get the whole picture. Vitamin C content Kiwis are an excellent source of vitamin C; in fact, they are an even greater source than oranges. Oranges, the poster child for this potent antioxidant, do not contain 93 milligrams of vitamin C per 100 grams; however, the common green kiwi contains 93 milligrams of vitamin C per 100 grams, as published by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Only 53 milligrams are contained in them. And here's the thing: a study that was conducted at the University of California, Davis, and published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture found that organic kiwifruit contains even more vitamin C than regular kiwifruit grown on the same farm in Marisville, in California, and harvested at the same time as the organic kiwifruit. Vitamin C serves a multitude of purposes in the human body, including the upkeep of the immune system, bones, teeth, and skin. Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits.
Additionally, there is some evidence that suggests vitamin C may be beneficial for people who suffer from asthma, and a preliminary study suggests that it may also assist enhance the rate at which fat is burned in some circumstances. However, in order to arrive at any conclusions on the possible advantages of vitamin C for weight loss, additional research needs to be carried out first. Kiwifruit also contains phenolic compounds, which, like vitamin C, have antioxidant properties. The same study that analyzed the vitamin C content of organic and non-organic kiwifruit grown on the same farm also looked at the phenol content of kiwifruit and found that organic kiwifruit contained significantly more phenolic compounds than their organic counterparts. Given that organic kiwifruit contains more vitamin C and phenolic compounds, it's no surprise that organic fruit also has stronger antioxidant activity, as measured by the ability of DPPH to scavenge free radicals.
Researchers often use the DPPH method to measure the antioxidant potency of foods, beverages, and supplements in vitro environments. However, it is important to note that antioxidant capacity in vitro does not necessarily translate into biological activity in vivo. Therefore, more research is needed to investigate the health benefits of antioxidants in organic and non-organic kiwifruit in real living organisms. Mineral contentIn addition to comparing the vitamin C content, phenolic compound content, and antioxidant properties of organic kiwifruit versus regular kiwifruit, the UC Davis study analyzed the differences in the mineral composition of organic and non-organic kiwifruit. The finding: The organic kiwifruit contained more of all the minerals analyzed — including calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus — than the non-organic kiwifruit grown on the same farm. However, be aware that by eating one or two kiwis, organic or not, you will not get many minerals except potassium. A 100-gram serving of kiwifruit provides 312 milligrams of potassium, which equals 9% of the daily value of this essential nutrient. If you want to increase your overall mineral intake, it's best to add nuts and seeds to your diet.
Are organic kiwis better? Scientists have proven that organically grown kiwi fruit contains significantly increased levels of health-promoting polyphenols. They also had higher overall antioxidant activity, as well as higher levels of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and key minerals compared to their conventionally high counterparts. Should I buy organic kiwi? Kiwis are another solid source of pesticide-free produce that doesn't require you to pay an organic premium. Nearly 65% of the kiwifruit samples did not contain pesticide residues. Additionally, the research found only six pesticides in conventionally grown kiwifruit. The fruit also has a protective shell that keeps the fruit safe inside.