Overview

Kiwi is a plant that produces fruit. The fruit is used as a food and as a medicine.

Kiwi is used for asthma, constipation, high blood pressure, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

In foods, kiwi is used as a meat tenderizer and an ingredient in some sports drinks. It is often eaten as a fruit.

There is information that suggests the antioxidant effects of vitamin C or other compounds that are found in high concentrations in kiwi might benefit people with asthma.

How does it work ?

There is information that suggests the antioxidant effects of vitamin C or other compounds that are found in high concentrations in kiwi might benefit people with asthma.

Uses & Effectiveness

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Asthma. Although study results are mixed, there is some evidence that eating vitamin C-rich citrus fruits, including kiwi, once or twice per week might improve lung function in people with asthma.
  • Constipation. Early research shows that eating two kiwi fruits per day for 4 weeks increases the number of bowel movements in people with constipation.
  • High blood pressure. Early research shows that eating three kiwi fruits per day for 8 weeks reduces blood pressure more than eating one apple per day in people with high blood pressure.
  • A long-term disorder of the large intestines that causes stomach pain (irritable bowel syndrome or IBS). Early research shows that consuming two to three kiwi fruits per day for 4 weeks increases the number of bowel movements and reduces pain and other symptoms of constipation in people with IBS who suffer from constipation.
  • Indigestion (dyspepsia).
  • Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of kiwi for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Kiwi is LIKELY SAFE for most people when taken in the amounts found in food. There isn't enough reliable information to know if kiwi is safe when taken in amounts found in medicine. Kiwi can cause allergic reactions such as trouble swallowing (dysphagia), vomiting, and hives in people who are allergic to the fruit.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Kiwi is LIKELY SAFE for most people when taken in the amounts found in food. There isn't enough reliable information to know if kiwi is safe when taken in amounts found in medicine. Kiwi can cause allergic reactions such as trouble swallowing (dysphagia), vomiting, and hives in people who are allergic to the fruit.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Kiwi is LIKELY SAFE for pregnant and breast-feeding women when taken in food amounts. There isn't enough reliable information to know if kiwi is safe to take in amounts found in medicine when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid taking kiwi as a medicine.

Bleeding disorders: Kiwi might slow blood clotting. In theory, kiwi might make bleeding disorders worse.

Allergies: Kiwi may cause allergic reactions in people who are allergic to other fruits, plants, or spices such as avocado, birch pollen, fig, hazelnut, latex, poppy seed, rye, sesame seed, or wheat. Avoid eating kiwi fruit or taking kiwi products if you are allergic to any of these products.

Surgery. Kiwi might slow blood clotting in some people. In theory, kiwi might increase the risk for bleeding during surgical procedures. Stop eating kiwi or using kiwi products at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with Kiwi

    Eating kiwi might decrease blood pressure in some people. Taking medications used for lowering high blood pressure along with kiwi might cause your blood pressure to go too low. Do not eat too much kiwi if you are taking medications for high blood pressure.

    Some medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDiuril), furosemide (Lasix), and many others.

  • Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with Kiwi

    Kiwi might slow blood clotting. Taking kiwi along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.

    Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, ticlopidine (Ticlid), warfarin (Coumadin), and others.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of kiwi depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for kiwi. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
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