Natural protection benefits of gold kiwifruit consumption: Reduction of cold and flu-like
symptoms in older adults and pre-school children
Margot Skinner
The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited, Auckland, New Zealand and Institute
of Food, Nutrition and Human Health Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
margot.skinner@plantandfood.co.nz
Objective: Gold kiwifruit is rich in vitamin C and contains phytochemicals that may influence immune
function. The effect of gold kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis ‘Hort16A’; ZESPRI®GOLD Kiwifruit)
consumption on the incidence and symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) was
investigated in subjects at greater risk of this illness because of age. Two randomised cross-over
intervention studies were conducted, the first with older adults (≥ 65 y) and the second with young
children (2-5 y).
Methods: In the adult study (n=32), an equivalent of 4 gold kiwifruit or placebo (2 bananas) were
consumed daily for 4 weeks, with a 4-week washout period between treatments. Participants
completed the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey-21 daily, and blood samples were
collected for biomarker, antioxidant and immune function measurements. In the study involving
children (n=66), an equivalent of 2 servings of gold kiwifruit or placebo (banana) were consumed daily
for 4 weeks with a 2-week washout period between treatments. Parents completed the Canadian
Acute Respiratory Illness and Flu Scale questionnaire daily for their child.
Results: In both studies, a number of the URTI symptoms such as sore throat were significantly
reduced (P<0.05) during the kiwifruit intervention compared with the banana. The adult study also
demonstrated significant changes in some biomarkers during the kiwifruit intervention compared with
the banana. In the child study, the incidence of having cold-and flu-like episodes was greater (P<0.05)
when banana compared with kiwifruit was consumed, while the total URTI symptoms scores were
significantly lower during the kiwifruit intervention than the banana (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Regular consumption of gold kiwifruit may contribute to a reduction in the incidence
and/or severity of symptoms of cold and flu like illnesses in at risk subjects such as older adults and
pre-school children.
Acknowledgements: Denise Hunter, Frances Wolber, Chris Booth, Jacelyn Loh, Mark Wohlers,
Lesley Stevenson, Marlena Kruger, Lynley Drummond, Tony McGhie, Harry Martin, Dawei Deng,
Judie Farr, Aselle Adaim, Mark Wohlers, Rozanne Kruger, Welma Stonehouse, Lynley Drummond
ZESPRI Group Ltd and the Foundation for Science, Research and Technology, New Zealand
(Wellness Foods C06X0405) for funding this work.