Abstract
Kiwifruit has a long shelf-stability and is readily available at any time of year. Consequently, it is consumed worldwide including Japan. Kiwifruit, a highly nutritious food containing vitamin C and lutein (a carotenoid), is also rich in dietary fiber. Furthermore, it contains the proteolytic enzyme, actinidin. The digestion-promoting action of actinidin has received attention in recent years.
In this article, the enzymatic properties of actinidin and the results of the latest research examining its digestion-promoting effect, in vitro and in vivo, are presented. These recent findings suggest that actinidin enhanced amino acid absorption, by stimulating the digestion of various food-derived proteins in the gastrointestinal tract, and accelerated the expulsion of gastric contents. Therefore, this suggests that kiwifruit has the potential to facilitate digestion. This, in addition to its high nutritional value, makes kiwifruit favorable for the maintenance and improvement of health.
