The study looked specifically at SunGold kiwis.
Researchers divided 167 adults into three groups.
Beyond the positive plasma vitamin C results, outcomes appear to be slightly better for the kiwi group.
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The people who took vitamin C supplements in the absence of deficiency did not experience any impact on vitality.
Conversely, those in the SunGold kiwi group experienced positive outcomes regardless of their baseline vitamin C level.
What This Means For You
Eating two SunGold kiwis per day might help support your vitality.
Why SunGold Kiwis?
Diet is also thought to play a role.
When combined, these nutrients might play a greater role in vitality than a single nutrient.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C deficiency has been linked to depression and fatigue.
Eating more vitamin C-rich foods could help prevent or at least reduce your risk of a deficiency.
In the case of kiwis, the fruit contains vitamin C along with other beneficial nutrients, like fiber.
Emerging research suggests there may be ties between a healthier microbiome and mental health.
Fiber-rich foods like kiwi can help support the beneficial bacteria in the gut, Compston says.
Therefore, kiwis might support vitality for many reasons, not just their vitamin C content.
What If You Don’t Like Kiwi?
Gabriel also says not to only focus on your diet if you want to support or improve your vitality.
Compston agrees, adding that you should skip the supplements and opt for foods first.
2020 Sep 22;12(9):2898. doi:10.3390/nu12092898
Zespri.Zespri Kiwifruit.
National Institutes of Health.
National Cancer Institute.Definition of Vitality.
2019 Sep 12;1-15. doi:10.1024/0300-9831/a000601
