THE SCIENCE OF
ActiniZYME®.
Green kiwifruit: science-backed support for plant protein & collagen digestion.
New Zealand green kiwifruit is one of the most nutrient-dense fruits, making it a powerful ally for active, high protein lifestyles. Its unique mix of fibre, enzymes and phytonutrients supports efficient protein digestion and amino acid delivery to muscles for growth and recovery.
KEY NUTRIENTS
IN GREEN KIWI.
DIETARY FIBRE
Kiwifruit dietary fibres (namely hemicelluloses, cellulose and pectin) play an important role in supporting overall gut function and nutrient handling. By helping to manage the way food moves through the digestive tract, this fibre supports steady delivery of the nutrients and amino acids released from protein-rich meals.
Kiwifruit has a low glycaemic index. This is largely due to the unique hydration properties of kiwifruit dietary fibre – the fibre swells to nearly 3 times its original size which makes uptake of sugars into the bloodstream steadier, a useful feature for people managing energy levels around training and recovery.
The complexity of the dietary fibre and balance of sugars in kiwifruit mean that it is also FODMAP-friendly for most people, making it a versatile fruit choice in performance focused diets.
ACTINIDIN
The proteolytic enzyme (protease), actinidin, is nearly unique to the green (Hayward) variety of kiwifruit. Other cultivars contain a small amount (e.g. Gold3 kiwifruit) or even no actinidin (e.g. red kiwifruit).
Actinidin breaks down proteins, particularly in the stomach, to aid digestion. Studies have shown actinidin can enhance the digestion of a wide variety of food proteins, resulting in faster and more complete digestion compared to what the body’s natural proteases do on their own. It is particularly good at digesting animal meat proteins, dairy proteins, and plant proteins including soy, pea, rice and wheat (gluten).
Enhanced protein digestion can support better amino acid absorption and availability, helping high-protein users get more benefit from collagen powders, plant protein shakes and protein-rich meals to fuel muscle growth, repair and adaptation.
POTASSIUM
Potassium is an important mineral that helps maintain muscle function and supports healthy metabolism, water balance, electrolytic functions, and the nervous system. Adequate potassium intake is especially relevant for active individuals and athletes looking to support normal muscle performance and recovery.
HISTORY OF
KIWIFRUIT IN Nz.
- Kiwifruit, also known as kiwi or Chinese gooseberry, refers to the edible fruit from the Actinidia genus. Kiwifruit are native to China, where it was first described in the early 12th century.
- Seeds from China were brought back to New Zealand by Isabel Fraser, a school teacher, in 1904. The green Hayward cultivar is a direct descendant of those seeds and is now the most common variety, with a fuzzy brown skin and green flesh.
- The name “kiwifruit” is attributed to Jack Turner of Turners and Growers who suggested the name as an alternative to “Chinese gooseberry” which was proving difficult to market in the 1950s.
- The name stuck and most NZ kiwifruit are marketed under the Zespri brand and grown in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand (“kiwifruit country”).
what makes ActiniZYME®
so brilliant?
Gluten free
because it’s entirely made from whole kiwifruit
Non-GMO
Made from Non-Genetically Modified Kiwifruit
Free of added sugars
Actinizyme® contains only those sugars naturally found in kiwifruit
CERTIFIED
KOSHER
Meets the highest standards of Jewish dietary law
certified
halal
Complies with Islamic dietary laws
Made from green kiwifruit
sourced from Zespri-approved packhouses
HOW ACTINIZYME®
IS MADE.
01.
whole
kiwifruit
Actinizyme® begins with green kiwifruit grown in New Zealand’s ideal climate, where cool nights, clean air and intense UV sunlight drive high vitamin C, polyphenol and actinidin levels in the fruit.
02.
KIWIFRUIT
PUREE
Fresh kiwifruit are peeled and gently deseeded, then milled into a smooth purée that preserves the native balance of soluble and insoluble fibre, vitamins, and actinidin.
03.
DRIED
& MILLED
Purée is dried using our Target Bio‑Lock technology, a controlled low‑temperature process designed to stabilise actinidin activity, protect heat‑sensitive vitamins and retain the complex kiwifruit fibre matrix.
04.
whole fruit
powder
The proprietary pharma-grade processing and drying techniques used ensure high levels of key nutrients, actinidin activity and bioactives are retained to support protein digestion and rapid amino acid delivery to muscles
Green kiwifruit,
actinidin & protein
digestion.
Actinidin is the key proteolytic enzyme in green kiwifruit and plays a central role in its protein digestion benefits.
Actinidin enhances digestion of plant proteins including wheat gluten, pea, soy, almond and quinoa, and the animal protein collagen.
In vitro work shows that actinidin can increase gastric protein breakdown by roughly 2–6 times compared with gastric enzymes alone, with rapid amino nitrogen release within minutes for pea, soy and almond proteins.
Animal studies demonstrate that actinidin speeds gastric digestion and gastric emptying, leading to faster amino acid appearance in the bloodstream and improved post-meal comfort.
Green Kiwifruit &
Digestion overview.
Q: How is Actinizyme different to green kiwifruit?
A: Actinizyme is a specialised ingredient made from New Zealand green kiwifruit, concentrating its natural actinidin enzyme and whole‑fruit matrix to support efficient protein digestion and muscle‑relevant amino acid delivery.
Q: Can green kiwifruit help me get more from plant protein?
A: Green kiwifruit contains the enzyme actinidin, that hydrolyses proteins down into smaller peptides; supporting better digestion and amino acid delivery from plant protein concentrates
Q: Why is green kiwifruit useful for high‑protein and muscle‑building diets?
A: Green kiwifruit naturally combines actinidin, fibre and phytonutrients that help break down plant and animal proteins, supporting better amino acid availability to fuel muscle growth, repair and recovery.
Q: How does actinidin from green kiwifruit help with protein digestion?
A: Actinidin is a protease in green kiwifruit that cuts proteins at sites human enzymes often miss, leading to more complete protein breakdown and faster release of amino acids from protein‑rich meals and shakes.
Q: Is green kiwifruit a good source of nutrients for athletes?
A: Yes. Green kiwifruit provides vitamin C, fibre, potassium and folate alongside actinidin, offering both protein‑focused benefits and broad nutritional support for active, performance‑driven lifestyles.
