Good as gold

Zespri is encouraging Malaysians to eat two kiwifruit a day in a six-month campaign dubbed ‘Extreme Nutrition, Extreme Vitality’. In its promotional flyer, Zespri claims that kiwifruit has immune-boosting qualities; it contains twice the amount of vitamin C in an orange and as such “provides a shield against colds and flu”. Zespri International’s health science manager Lynley Drummond says kiwifruit helps to ease bloating after a heavy meal. Mathieson also has an antidote for indigestion for durian aficionados. “Try eating kiwifruits with durian,” he suggests. “It helps to ease bloatedness.” Zespri Ambassador Dr Norzita Mohd Yusof says the kiwifruit has phytochemical compounds which are important to prevent cancer. New Zealand first exported its green kiwifruit to Britain in 1952. The first gold kiwifruit, which took 20 years to develop from natural cross-breeding, was exported in 1998.