- Dietitian Mickala Parsley took to TikTok to discuss the fruit in question
- The fruit became internationally popular in the 1970s
- Most people only eat the green pulp, but eating the peel can have benefits too
A dietician has revealed a bizarre tip for eating fruit that is better for your health – but opinions are divided.
Mickala Parsley shared her strategy for tackling kiwis on WebMD’s official TikTok account.
The hairy fruit is a healthy snack in itself, as most people eat it.
But if you eat the peel together with the green pulp of this subtropical delicacy, you also get fiber and extra vitamins.
Mickala Parsley took to WebMD’s official TikTok account to share her strategy when it comes to tackling kiwis
“Did you know you can eat the skin of a kiwi?” began registered dietitian Mickala, who also goes by the name @seasaltandkale. TikTok And Instagram.
‘You can’t just eat the skin of a kiwi, you have to eat it.
‘Kiwis are an excellent source of nutrients, such as vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin E, folate, potassium and calcium.
‘But if you also eat the skin of a kiwi, you significantly increase your nutrient intake.
“Eating a whole kiwifruit not only increases your intake of fiber, folate, and vitamin E, but also increases the fiber content by as much as 50 percent,” she explains further.
‘So if you have a fiber deficiency in your diet, it’s best to eat a whole kiwi.
‘Some research suggests that eating two kiwis a day can help promote regular bowel movements, even for people with IBS. This means that this could also be an excellent natural alternative to laxatives.’
She added that if you find the “texture and fuzz” of a standard green kiwifruit bothersome, a golden or yellow kiwifruit may be a suitable alternative.
The hairy fruit is a healthy snack on its own, as most people eat it (stock image)
“Their skin is much smoother and still provides the same benefits,” she explained.
Although the kiwi is associated with New Zealand – and generates more than $1 billion in revenue for the country each year – the fruit is actually native to China, according to Time.com.
Kiwi seeds are thought to have first arrived in New Zealand from China sometime in the early 20th century.
Initially they were called ‘gooseberry’, but about half a century later the name was changed and in the 1970s they became very popular.