New publications
Study: Kiwi helps lower blood pressure
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Eat three kiwis a day and you'll forget about doctors. People from southern China can once again be proud of their native fruit, as a new study by scientists shows that these fluffy fruits lower blood pressure.
The green, juicy pulp of this fruit contains many valuable nutrients, including lutein, a powerful antioxidant that lowers blood pressure.
Swedish scientists led by Mett Svendsen from the University of Oslo claim that lutein has a beneficial effect on the heart. However, cardiologists are convinced that today there is no such miracle substance that could completely take care of the health of the human heart. Most likely, this is a question of a healthy lifestyle with rational nutrition and physical exercise.
Scientists have decided to refute the claims of cardiologists. Their study showed that eating kiwi can improve human health in the long term.
The study involved 50 men and 68 women aged 55. The volunteers were asked to eat three kiwis or one apple a day for eight weeks. At the start of the study, the participants had blood pressure levels in the mildly elevated range of 128/85. Ideal blood pressure is considered to be less than 120/80. The participants did not change anything in their diet except for adding fruit. At the end of the study, the scientists measured blood pressure using 24-hour monitoring, which is considered more accurate than measurements at one point in time.
The study results showed that three kiwis a day improved 24-hour blood pressure better than an apple a day.
The study found kiwi to be good for the heart, similar to a previous study that found red wine to be good for the heart. "Of course, this information should not be taken literally. It's always about moderation," says Dr. M. Elliott Antman, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston. "Don't count on kiwi to help you manage your high blood pressure... Don't stop taking your blood pressure medication without talking to your doctor."
[