The daily consumption of kiwifruit is beneficial to all people.
However one group who can particularly benefit from eating kiwifruit are woman during pregnancy.
There are multiple benefits to eating kiwifruit if you are pregnant.
Kiwifruit should be considered a staple food for all expectant mothers.
Pregnant mothers need a good amount of folate in their diet.
Folate is a B vitamin which helps with cell division in the baby.
Low levels of folate are related to neural tube defects which are in turn caused by incomplete development of either the spinal cord or the brain.
One of the most common maladies caused by these defects is spina bifida.
To make sure that the pregnant mother is getting enough folate in her diet she needs to either take supplements and / or consume foods which are rich in folate.
One food that is particularly high in folate is kiwifruit.
With a delicious taste it is an easy addition to anybody's diet.
If the pregnant mother is at particular risk of having a baby with spina bifida, usually those with a family history, then they will want to take particular care to make sure they are consuming enough folate.
It is important to keep consuming high levels of folate up to 12 weeks after conception as well.
This is not the only nutrient found in kiwi fruit that benefits pregnant woman however.
Kiwifruit are also very high in vitamin C.
In fact kiwifruit contains more vitamin C than an orange.
Pregnant woman should consume at least 85 milligrams of vitamin C daily.
If the mother is 18 years or younger she will be able to get by on 80 milligrams of vitamin C per day.
When the mother is breastfeeding the dosage of vitamin C should be increased to 120 milligrams or 115 milligrams for mothers under the age of eighteen.
The reason for this is that vitamin c is vital for tissue repair, to heal wounds, to provide healthy skin and to promote bone growth.
Not only this but vitamin C also helps to fight off infection and is an antioxidant which provides protection for cells from damage.
The mother and the baby must consume this vitamin everyday.
Vitamin C is key ingredient in the body's production of collagen.
This is a structural protein which is a building block in bones, skin and tendons.
This is not the only benefit of vitamin C however it also helps the mother's body to absorb iron.
By including high in vitamin C foods such as kiwifruit with your meals you be better able to retain the iron found in the other foods you eat.
Folate and vitamin C are vital ingredients in keeping both the mother and child healthy during pregnancy.
Kiwifruit contains both of these and so should be seen as a staple food over this period and in the weeks following the baby's birth.
Kiwifruit can be easily incorporated into a mother's diet.
It can be consumed as a side dish during breakfast.
Or alternatively many women like to have it as juice.
Both options are delicious and will provide the full health benefits of kiwifruit.