Actinidia chinensis, commonly known as the golden kiwi or Chinese gooseberry, is a fruit-bearing vine native to China, particularly the Yangtze River Valley. It is part of the Actinidiaceae family and is closely related to the more commonly known fuzzy kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa). Golden kiwis are distinguished by their smooth, bronze skin, and bright green or golden flesh, which is sweeter and more aromatic compared to the green kiwi.

Botanical Classification

Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Class: Eudicots
Order: Ericales
Family: Actinidiaceae
Genus: Actinidia
Species: A. chinensis

Plant Characteristics

Actinidia chinensis is a vigorous, climbing vine that can grow up to 9 meters in height. It has large, heart-shaped, green leaves and produces white or cream-colored flowers. The vines are dioecious, meaning male and female flowers grow on separate plants. The fruit of the golden kiwi is oval and slightly larger than that of its fuzzy cousin, with a smooth, hairless skin that is edible.

Chemical Composition and Structure

Golden kiwi is rich in vitamins C and E, dietary fiber, and various antioxidants, including carotenoids and flavonoids that contribute to its health benefits. The fruit also contains actinidin, an enzyme that helps in protein digestion, making it a useful tenderizer in culinary applications.

How to Cultivate It

To obtain this fruit, two plants are needed: a male and the other female that will be pollinated by bees.

1. Soil: Prefers well-drained, fertile soils rich in organic matter.
2. Light: Requires full sun to partial shade.
3. Water: Needs regular, consistent watering, especially during the growing season, to maintain moist but not waterlogged soil.
4. Temperature: Frost-sensitive, requiring protection in colder climates. Thrives in temperate to subtropical regions.

Uses and Benefits

Golden kiwi is primarily consumed fresh but is also popular in juices, smoothies, and desserts. Its high vitamin C content makes it excellent for boosting immune health. Additionally, the natural digestive enzyme actinidin makes it beneficial for improving digestion.

Applications

• Culinary: Widely used in fresh salads, desserts, and as a garnish due to its vibrant color and sweet flavor.
• Nutritional Supplements: Often included in health supplements for its high antioxidant and vitamin content.
• Cosmetic: Extracts of golden kiwi are used in skin care products for their antioxidant properties, promoting skin health and vitality.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

Actinidia chinensis should be grown with consideration for local ecosystems, as it can become invasive under certain conditions. Sustainable agricultural practices are encouraged to minimize environmental impact. The fruit is generally safe for consumption by most people, but those with a kiwi allergy should avoid it. Care should also be taken in handling and pruning the plants, as the sap can cause dermatitis in sensitive individuals.

Attention: those suffering from Crohn's disease must abstain from consuming it.

Studies

Kiwis contain on average:

• Vitamin C Ascorbic acid in the following measures (Cultivar Actinidia chinenssis Plach, Gaivard): mg/g 5,44 in the juice, 1,14 in the skin, 4,20 in the pulp (1).
• Vitamin E
• Potassium

It has good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties due to the presence of ascorbic acid.

Flavonoids, vitamin C and carotenoids have a preventive effect against cardiovascular diseases (2).

Kiwi has proven effective in relieving chronic constipation (3) with these benefits:

• decreased in days of laxative used
• satisfaction of bowel habit
• improvement in transit time
• improvement in rectal sensation

Kiwi studies

References_________________________________________________________________________

(1) Kvesitatdze GI, Kalandiia AG, Papunidze SG, Vanidze MR. Use of HPLC for identification and quantitative determination of ascorbic acid in kiwi fruit. Prikl Biokhim Mikrobiol. 2001 Mar-Apr;37(2):243-6. Russian. PMID: 11357433.

(2) Jung KA, Song TC, Han D, Kim IH, Kim YE, Lee CH. Cardiovascular protective properties of kiwifruit extracts in vitro. Biol Pharm Bull. 2005 Sep;28(9):1782-5. doi: 10.1248/bpb.28.1782. 

Abstract. It is currently accepted that the consumption of fruit-derived antioxidants such as vitamin C, carotenoids, and flavonoids provides a preventive effect against cardiovascular disease. The purpose of the present study was to investigate potential cardiovascular protective properties of aqueous and 70% ethanol extracts from kiwifruit by analyzing the antioxidative, antihypertensive, hypocholesterolemic, and fibrinolytic activities in vitro. Aqueous and 70% ethanol extracts at 50 mg/ml showed DPPH-radical scavenging activities of 72.31% and 70.75%, respectively. Total antioxidant activity in linoleic acid emulsion was 85-88% at 10 mg/ml and 96-98% at 50 mg/ml of kiwifruit extract. Inhibitory activities against angiogensin I-converting enzyme of kiwifruit extracts were 21-26% at 10 mg/ml and 46-49% at 50 mg/ml, and inhibitory activities on HMG-CoA reductase were 13-14% at 10 mg/ml and 19-30% at 50 mg/ml. Fibrinolytic activity of kiwifruit was also observed at a high concentration of 100 mg/ml in both aqueous and 70% EtOH extracts. Based on our results, kiwifruit have potential cardiovascular protective properties in vitro.

(3)  Chan AO, Leung G, Tong T, Wong NY. Increasing dietary fiber intake in terms of kiwifruit improves constipation in Chinese patients. World J Gastroenterol. 2007 Sep 21;13(35):4771-5. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i35.4771. 

Abstract. Aim: To investigate if increased dietary fiber, in terms of kiwifruit, is effective in Chinese constipated patients. Methods: 33 constipated patients and 20 healthy volunteers were recruited for a 4-wk treatment of kiwi fruit twice daily. Response during wk 1-4 was defined as an increase in complete spontaneous bowl, motion (CSBM) > or = 1/wk. Secondary efficacy included response during wk 1-4, individual symptoms and scores of bowel habits and constipation. Responses were compared with the baseline run-in period. Colonic transit time and anorectal manometry were performed before and after treatment.....Conclusion: Increasing dietary fiber intake is effective in relieving chronic constipation in Chinese population.