Kiwifruit, commonly known as Chinese gooseberry or kiwi, is a group of over 60 delicious berries. The size, shape, and flavour of these berries vary. Although some are smaller than others, they nonetheless deliver a powerful nutritional punch. Vitamins, minerals, and beneficial plant components found in kiwis have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities that are proven to promote healthy skin. As a result, you may be wondering if the fruit is a good addition to your skin care routine.
This article discusses if kiwifruit is beneficial to your skin.
Rich in skin-friendly nutrients
Vitamins C and E are abundant in kiwifruit. In addition, kiwi includes plant compounds such as polyphenols, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Human skin contains several of these nutrients. Furthermore, eating them may enhance your skin in a variety of ways:
-
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. Vitamin C has been shown in animal tests to reduce skin damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) exposure. The vitamin also aids in the synthesis of collagen and may help to prevent skin discoloration due to age spots or other factors.
-
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant. This vitamin aids in the protection of your skin from UV rays and oxidative stress.
-
Lutein and zeaxanthin are two types of carotenoids. These antioxidants, especially when combined, may help to lighten dark spots on your skin. They may also raise carotenoids levels, which protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun.
-
Epigallocatechin gallate, a flavonoid polyphenol found in kiwifruit, is a flavonoid polyphenol (EGCG). EGCG has the potential to protect your skin from oxidative stress and even skin cancer.
The kiwifruit's peel, or "skin," has more of these nutrients than the soft, sweet core. The skin of the kiwifruit is edible, so consume it next time you eat one to obtain the maximum nutrients.
However, keep in mind that the majority of studies on these benefits focus on high-dose supplements of the minerals found in kiwifruit rather than eating the fruit itself.
Moreover, despite the fact that kiwi includes several nutrients with potential skin health advantages, there is no evidence that consuming high amounts of kiwi will result in healthier skin.
Can you apply kiwi to your skin?
The idea of a kiwi slice eye treatment or a crushed fruit face mask may come to mind when thinking of utilizing kiwi on your skin.
To reduce puffiness and dark circles, some people use kiwi eye masks, which are slices of the fruit applied over the eyelids.
However, word of mouth is the primary source of support for skin care regimens like this. There's no scientific evidence that applying kiwi to your face or skin improves your skin's health.
Despite this, kiwifruit, its seeds, or extracts are found in many skin serums, face masks, and other skin care products.
Benefits of Kiwi:
Only a few research have looked into the benefits of kiwi for skin health. The majority of these studies haven't been conducted on humans, and they haven't focused on the direct application of kiwi to the skin.
Polysaccharides — a sort of sugar — present in kiwifruit increased the creation of keratinocyte skin cells, among other things, according to a 2005 test-tube study. Keratinocytes are the most common cells in the epidermis, your skin's outermost layer.
In addition, a 2009 study in mice indicated that ingesting a kiwifruit extract reduced the symptoms of eczema, a skin disorder characterized by itchy, red areas.
However, because this research used oral kiwi extract, the findings cannot be transferred to kiwi-based skin care products or direct application of the fruit to the skin.
This suggests that eating kiwi as part of a well-balanced diet may be the most beneficial to your skin. Regardless of whether kiwi is consumed or applied topically, further research, particularly in humans, is required before any conclusions about its skin benefits can be drawn.
Kiwi is high in antioxidants including vitamin C, lutein, and zeaxanthin, as well as flavonoids, which may be beneficial to your skin. Even if you've seen or heard of people applying kiwi directly to their skin, it's unlikely that this is the ideal approach to use the fruit to improve skin health.
Instead, consume kiwi with other fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and seafood to ensure that your diet is rich in skin-supporting nutrients from a variety of healthy sources.
