Consumption of gold kiwifruit reduces severity and duration of selected upper respiratory tract infection symptoms and increases plasma vitamin C concentration in healthy older adults
Open accessAbstract
In the elderly, immunosenescence and malnourishment can contribute to increased risk and severity of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI). Gold kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis 'Hort16A') contains nutrients important for immune function and mitigation of symptoms of infection, including vitamins C and E, folate, polyphenols and carotenoids. The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether regular consumption of gold kiwifruit reduces symptoms of URTI in older people, and determine the effect it has on plasma antioxidants, and markers of oxidative stress, inflammation and immune function. A total of thirty-two community-dwelling people (≥65 years) participated in a randomised crossover study, consuming the equivalent of four kiwifruit or two bananas daily for 4 weeks, with treatments separated by a 4-week washout period. Participants completed the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey-21 daily, and blood samples were collected at baseline and at the end of each treatment and washout period. Gold kiwifruit did not significantly reduce the overall incidence of URTI compared with banana, but significantly reduced the severity and duration of head congestion, and the duration of sore throat. Gold kiwifruit significantly increased plasma vitamin C, α-tocopherol and lutein/zeaxanthin concentrations, and erythrocyte folate concentrations, and significantly reduced plasma lipid peroxidation. No changes to innate immune function (natural killer cell activity, phagocytosis) or inflammation markers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, homocysteine) were detected. Consumption of gold kiwifruit enhanced the concentrations of several dietary plasma analytes, which may contribute to reduced duration and severity of selected URTI symptoms, offering a novel tool for reducing the burden of URTI in older individuals.
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Regular consumption of kiwifruit significantly increases plasma vitamin C, vitamin E, and lutein/zeaxanthin concentrations.
“Regular consumption of kiwifruit has been found to significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increase plasma vitamin C [74] vitamin E [71] and lutein/zeaxanthin concentrations [71,74].”
From Sleep and Nutrition Interactions: Implications for Athletes (2019) · cites this paper as [71]
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“05) increase plasma vitamin C [74] vitamin E [71] and lutein/zeaxanthin concentrations [71,74].”
BackgroundChamorro, F., Carpena, M., Fraga-Corral, M., Echave, J., Riaz Rajoka, M. S., Barba, F. J., Cao, H., Xiao, J., Prieto, M. A., & Simal-Gandara, J. (2022) · Food Chemistry · doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.131315 · Cited by 188 · see citing works
- Authors
- Hunter, D. C., Skinner, M. A., Wolber, F. M., Booth, C. L., Loh, J. M. S., Wohlers, M., Stevenson, L. M., & Kruger, M. C.
- Affiliations
- Plant & Food Research (NZ)
- Massey University (NZ)
- Corresponding author
- Hunter, Denise C.
- Venue
- British Journal Of Nutrition
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press (CUP)
- Published
- 2011-12-15
- Volume
- 108
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 1235-1245
- ISSN
- 0007-1145 (ISSN-L)
- 1475-2662
- OpenAlex
- W2140718698
- Cited by
- 50
- References
- 47
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 2.92
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- British Journal Of Nutrition (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- ResearchSpace (University of Auckland) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Exercise and Physiological Responses
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Biochemistry › Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutrition and Health Studies
- Keywords
- gold kiwifruit, Actinidia chinensis, upper respiratory tract infection, older adults, vitamin C, plasma antioxidants, lipid peroxidation, red blood cell folate, alpha-tocopherol, lutein/zeaxanthin, sore throat, immune function, oxidative stress, inflammation, immunosenescence
- MeSH terms
- Aged, Aging, Antioxidants, Ascorbic Acid, Erythrocytes, Female, Folic Acid, Fruit, Humans, Immunity, Innate, Male, New Zealand, Pigmentation, Pilot Projects, Respiratory Tract Infections, Severity of Illness Index, Lipid Peroxidation, Biomarkers, Incidence, Oxidative Stress, Cross-Over Studies, Actinidia
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