Gastrointestinal discomfort is a common condition throughout the world, which often leads to areduction in quality of life. Gastrointestinal discomfort is a target for potential health claims for foodsidentifi ed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Actinidia chinensis var. deliciosa ‘Hayward’(marketed as Zespri® Green Kiwifruit) is recognised as a fruit that assists with the potential relief ofgastrointestinal symptoms [1].
Gastrointestinal discomfort is generally defi ned as being associated withepisodes of abdominal pain or discomfort (such as bloating, abdominal pain/cramp, and borborygmi(rumbling)) in the absence of organic diseases or biochemical abnormalities [2,3]. It is commonlyassociated with food or drug intake or with alterations of bowel habit and varies among individuals inboth frequency and severity.
Kiwifruit contains a natural protease (actinidin) which is active in‘Hayward’ but either inactive or not present in A. chinensis var. chinensis ‘Hort16A’ (marketed as Zespri®Gold Kiwifruit). Actinidin has been shown in in vitro and animal studies to remain active under gastricand ileal conditions [4] and to infl uence gastric emptying rates [5].
