Green kiwifruit (lat. Actinidia deliciosa var. Hayward) and maintenance of normal defecation: evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Abstract

Following an application from Zespri International Limited, submitted for authorisation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation ( EC ) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Belgium, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens ( NDA ) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to green kiwifruit (lat. Actinidia deliciosa var. Hayward) and maintenance of normal defecation. The scope of the application was proposed to fall under a health claim based on newly developed scientific evidence. The food proposed by the applicant as the subject of the health claim is green kiwifruit. The Panel considers that green kiwifruit ( Actinidia deliciosa var. Hayward ) is sufficiently characterised. The claimed effect proposed by the applicant is ‘maintenance of normal defecation’. Maintenance of normal defecation is a beneficial physiological effect provided that it does not result in diarrhoea. All human intervention studies submitted had different limitations and could not be used on their own for the scientific substantiation of the claim. However, the results of six pertinent human intervention studies are consistent with respect to an effect of consuming daily between two and four green kiwifruits var. Hayward on an increase in stool frequency. Two out of four studies in which a validated instrument was used to assess stool consistency showed an effect also on stool consistency. There is evidence for a plausible mechanism by which kiwifruit could exert an effect on normal defecation. The consumption of kiwifruit in the studies did not result in diarrhoea. A cause and effect relationship has been established between the consumption of green kiwifruit ( Actinidia deliciosa var. Hayward ) and maintenance of normal defecation. The following wordings reflect the scientific evidence: ‘consumption of kiwifruit contributes to the maintenance of normal defecation’. In order to obtain the claimed effect, two large green kiwifruits (i.e. around 200 g of kiwi flesh) should be consumed.

Consumption of 2 Green Kiwifruits Daily Improves Constipation and Abdominal Comfort—Results of an International Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

“…2 Green Kiwifruits Daily previously published studies, these data have provided substantive evidence leading to a positive opinion from the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods, and Food Allergens for the role of green kiwifruit in the maintenance of normal defecation (36). This study was completed in 2017; the delay in submission for publication was a consequence of awaiting the outcome of the EFSA opinion.…”

Update on the global prevalence and severity of kiwifruit allergy: a scoping review

“…As well as these micronutrients kiwifruit contain a range of phytochemicals and antioxidants with reported health benefits including carotenoids, lutein, caffeic acid glucosyl derivatives, β‐sitosterol, quinic acid, β‐carotene, zeaxanthin, chlorophylls, chlorogenic acid and phenolic compounds, such as flavones and flavanones (Park et al ., 2014; Leontowicz et al ., 2016; Pérez‐Burillo et al ., 2018; Ozen et al ., 2019; Kim et al ., 2020; Siddique et al ., 2021). Kiwifruits are also high in dietary fibre, containing both soluble (pectic polysaccharides) and insoluble sources (cellulose and haemicellulose), and have been shown to support healthy intestinal motility and maintenance of normal defecation (Dimidi & Staudacher, 2020; Antonelli & Donelli, 2021; European Food Safety Authority Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens, et al ., 2021). Further health benefits of kiwifruit have been identified, such as reducing the risk of diabetes and cancer, boosting the immune system, facilitating the absorption of iron and vitamin D, supporting foetal development, maintaining the health of the cardiovascular and digestive systems in addition to that of the hair, eyes, skin, bone and teeth (Singletary, 2012; Latocha, 2017; Dwivedi et al ., 2020).…”

Gut microbiota signatures and modulation in irritable bowel syndrome

“…However, due to the impact of this alimentary approach on the intestinal microbiota with potential deleterious alterations in the microbiome, FODMAPs should be reintroduced to tolerance after a limited period of restriction [63] . In addition, long-term studies are still inconclusive, suggesting that this dietary approach warrants future studies.…”