Kiwifruit Effect on Periodontal Inflammation Kiwifruit Effect on Periodontal Inflammation (PERIO-KIWI)

The Effect of Twice Daily Kiwifruit Consumption on Periodontal and Systemic Conditions Before and After Treatment: a Randomized Clinical Trial

The importance of micronutrients has been extensively reviewed and it was concluded that for prevention and treatment of periodontitis daily nutrition should include sufficient antioxidants, vitamin D and calcium. Up to now there is limited research available investigating the effect of vitamin C supplementation on the periodontal condition. Supplementation of vitamins and micronutrients has however raised numerous questions on clinical efficacy. Recently, a significant increase of medical literature on the effect of nutraceutical dietary aliments on general health has been noted. the aim of the present study is twofold. The first objective is to investigate the effect of twice-daily kiwifruit consumption as sole treatment modality in untreated periodontitis, followed after two months by initial periodontal therapy supported by continued kiwifruit consumption. The second objective is to investigate the effect of twice daily kiwifruit consumption on periodontal and systemic parameters of these periodontitis patients 3 months after treatment.

Subjects affected by periodontitis were examined and included in the study. After 2 months subjects also received non-surgical periodontal treatment and then followed for additional 3 months. Subjects in the test group were instructed to eat two kiwifruit per day during the whole study period.

Subjects affected by periodontitis were examined and included in the study. After 2 months subjects also received non-surgical periodontal treatment and then followed for additional 3 months. Subjects in the control group didi not receive any dietary advice.

Subjects were instructed to eat two kiwifruit per day during the whole study period. No recommendation on the type of kiwifruit, brand or origin was delivered. Kiwifruit was suggested to be taken as a whole and not mixed with sugar or other ingredients. No changes to their routinely dietary habits were suggested.

Inclusion Criteria: proximal attachment loss of ≥3 mm in ≥2 non-adjacent teeth, PPD≥4 mm and bleeding on probing on at least 25 % of their total sites documented radiographic bone loss Exclusion Criteria: younger than 18 years or older than 70 years, pregnant or lactating females, females using contraceptive pharmacological medications, reported diagnosis of any systemic illnesses including cardiovascular, renal, and liver diseases, in need of antibiotic treatment during initial periodontal treatment (IPT), IPT in the previous 6 months, allergic to latex, kiwifruit and fruits in general, suffering of eating or digestive disease or food intolerances, smoking more than 20 cigarettes per day.

Graziani F, Discepoli N, Gennai S, Karapetsa D, Nisi M, Bianchi L, Rosema NAM, Van der Velden U. The effect of twice daily kiwifruit consumption on periodontal and systemic conditions before and after treatment: A randomized clinical trial. J Periodontol. 2018 Mar;89(3):285-293. doi: 10.1002/JPER.17-0148. Epub 2018 Feb 27.