Effects of kiwi consumption on plasma lipids, fibrinogen and insulin resistance in the context of a normal diet

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Among fruits, kiwi is one of the richest in vitamins and polyphenols and has strong anti-oxidant effects. We aimed to analyze the relationship between the consumption of kiwi and plasma lipid values, fibrinogen, and insulin resistance in adults within the context of a normal diet and physical-activity. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. Participants (N = 1469), who were free of cardiovascular diseases, completed a visit, which included the collection of information concerning the participant’s usual diet and kiwi consumption using a previously validated, semi-quantitative, 137-item food-frequency-questionnaire. Fasting laboratory determinations included plasma lipids, fibrinogen and insulin resistance. Regular physical-activity was determined using accelerometry. RESULTS: Consumers of at least 1 kiwi/week presented higher plasma values of HDL-cholesterol (mean difference 4.50 [95 % CI: 2.63 to 6.36]) and lower triglyceride values (mean difference −20.03 [95 % CI: −6.77 to −33.29]), fibrinogen values (mean difference −13.22 [95 % CI: −2.18 to −24.26]) and HOMAir values (mean difference −0.30 [95 % CI: −0.09 to −0.50]) (p < 0.05, for all comparisons) than those who consumed less than 1 kiwi per week. In an adjusted logistic regression analysis, this group had a lower odds-ratio for presenting plasmatic fibrinogen concentrations above 400 mg/dL (OR = 0.68, 95 % CI 0.49 to 0.95), HDL-Cholesterol plasma values below 45 mg/dL (OR = 0.57, 95 % CI 0.36 to 0.91) and a HOMAir above 3 (OR = 0.61, 95 % CI 0.37 to 1.00). CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of at least one kiwi/week is associated with lower plasma concentrations of fibrinogen and improved plasma lipid profile in the context of a normal diet and regular exercise.