One fruit praised by Harvard expert and doctors for its cancer-fighting properties

The Harvard-trained cancer specialist has shared the benefits of eating the fruit (Image: Getty)

Fruit is well-known for its nutritional value and health benefits, with the saying "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" being familiar to many. However, doctors have singled out one fruit for its exceptional healing properties.

Dr William W Li, MD, a physician, medical scientist and Harvard graduate, has praised the virtues of kiwifruit on his official website. Known for leading the Angiogenesis Foundation, Dr Li's work has influenced over seventy diseases, including cancer, diabetes, blindness, heart disease, and obesity.

Despite commonly being referred to as 'kiwi', Dr Li insists the correct term is kiwifruit. "It's actually a large berry that originated in China, where it was once collected from the wild for medicinal purposes", he clarified.

He further explained how consuming kiwifruit can significantly benefit your digestive system. "With that settled, we should thank the kiwifruit for the positive improvements it brings to our microbiome (maintaining the integrity of our lining to prevent 'leaky gut'), glucose metabolism, and lipid metabolism", he stated.

How does kiwifruit protect your DNA?

Dr Li lauds the kiwifruit's capacity to repair DNA and prevent damage to your DNA, which could help combat diseases like cancer, reports Bristol Live. "Kiwifruit also contains high levels of vitamin C, chlorogenic acid and quinic acid, which all have antioxidant effects," he added.

"Perhaps most interestingly, researchers at the Rowett Research Institute in Scotland examined kiwifruit's ability to reduce DNA damage. They recruited 14 healthy volunteers and gave them one, two, or three kiwifruits to eat each day.

Kiwifruit contains many antioxidants to help protect you from diseases (Image: Getty)

What do other experts say?

Acknowledging kiwifruit's remarkable ability, double board-certified MD Dr Kunal Sood took to TikTok to confirm its powers. He said: "This is true. Kiwi has been shown to not only repair DNA damage, but also stimulate DNA repair, and there's research to support this."

Kiwifruit is packed with vitamins C and E which are both powerful antioxidants that aid DNA repair, according to Dr Sood, who refers to the process as "stimulate base excision repair." He explained: "In simpler terms, this benefits our health by lowering our cancer risk, slowing the ageing process, boosting our immune system, and safeguarding our brain."

"The participants ate a different dose of fruit during each of three periods of time, and their blood was drawn for a Comet assay at the beginning and end of each period. The results showed that eating kiwi, regardless of the amount, could reduce DNA damage by approximately 60%".

Dr Li added: "When the researchers looked further at the DNA, they found that eating three fruits per day actually increased DNA repair activity by 66%. So, eating kiwifruit not only aids the blood in neutralizing DNA-damaging free radicals, but it also helps rejuvenate DNA that has already been damaged."

Antioxidants help protect the body by neutralising harmful free radicals, preventing them from damaging cells and DNA. Free radicals are unstable molecules that lack an electron, making them very reactive and capable of harming cell structures if not controlled

Kiwi is enriched with cancer fighting antioxidants (Image: Getty)

What causes DNA damage, and why is it harmful?

A 2008 study delves into how damaged DNA can lead to mutations and potentially chronic diseases such as cancer. The study's author, Suzanne Clancy PhD, remarked: "Because DNA is the repository of genetic information in each living cell, its integrity and stability are essential to life.

"DNA, however, is not inert; rather, it is a chemical entity subject to assault from the environment, and any resulting damage, if not repaired, will lead to mutation and possibly disease."

She further noted: "Perhaps the best-known example of the link between environmental-induced DNA damage and disease is that of skin cancer, which can be caused by excessive exposure to UV radiation in the form of sunlight."

Over time, DNA damage can accumulate, transforming healthy cells into malignant ones and disrupting normal cell division and growth controls.

This can result in cells amassing cancerous mutations, interfering with developmental processes, and causing disease. Factors that may damage DNA include:

• Ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight and tanning beds can damage DNA in skin cells.
• Mutations in the BRCA breast cancer genes can lead to cancer.
• Mutations in the HER2 gene can cause a cell to grow uncontrollably, leading to cancer.

Research from the National Institute of Health's National Library of Medicine has highlighted the impressive health benefits of kiwifruit. A statement from the research notes: "Antioxidant micronutrients may account for the beneficial effects of fruits on human health.

"A direct demonstration that the consumption of fruit decreases oxidative DNA damage in human cells would support this hypothesis. Kiwifruit was taken as an example of a food with putative antioxidant properties, and its effectiveness at decreasing oxidative DNA damage was assessed in ex vivo as well as in vitro tests."

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Health perks of kiwifruit and if it's safe to consume:

Generally, kiwifruit is safe for most individuals, including pregnant women, offering a wealth of nutrients beneficial for both mother and child. However, those with a kiwi allergy should steer clear, and when in doubt, consulting a GP is advised.

You can even eat the skin of a kiwi. It's completely safe for consumption and is packed with fibre and nutrients, especially if you give it a good wash. That said, some might not like the fuzzy texture, so feel free to peel it if that's more to your liking.

While there's no foolproof method to completely prevent cancer, adopting a variety of healthy dietary and lifestyle habits can significantly lower your risk. Incorporate a diverse range of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins into your diet.

Cut down on red meat, processed items, and sugary beverages. Regular exercise, using sunscreen, avoiding tanning beds, quitting smoking, and moderating alcohol intake are all wise choices. Additionally, frequent screenings are crucial for early detection of cancer.