Strawberries are packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants, including vitamin C, potassium, folic acid, manganese, protein, and fiber. Do the shape and color of a strawberry remind you of anything? The mere fact that it is red and shaped like a heart should be the first indication that strawberries are good for us, especially our heart health. It would be nice if it were just that easy to look at food and determine it will benefit our health. Fun fact, a strawberry is not a berry at all, it is the large receptacle of the flower.
Strawberries are grown in all 50 states however, California and Florida are the largest producers. They are not only good for improving heart health but are used as an alternative treatment for preventing strokes, the common cold and flu and they will also help keep your wrinkles at bay. Clinical research has recommended eating a serving of 8 strawberries of day because of all the benefits which can include improving brain health, reducing the risk of some cancers and managing type 2 diabetes.
Here are 16 Health Benefits of strawberry
- Help Manage Type 2 Diabetes
Although strawberries usually taste very sweet and satisfies a “sweet tooth,” they do not boost blood sugar. Strawberries have a high fiber content which helps control blood sugar. The fiber also makes you feel full longer which reduces snacking and keeps your blood sugar levels regulated. This makes the strawberry a safe choice for a sweet snack and it’s delicious too.
- Heart Conditions
Strawberries have a high polyphenol (plant compounds) content which may help guard against heart conditions. A report in 2019 stated that strawberries may lower the risk of a type of heart attack called a myocardial infraction due to the anthocyanin in strawberries. There is a flavonoid called quercetin in strawberries which is a natural anti-inflammatory and it appears to reduce the risk of arteria sclerosis. The fiber and potassium in strawberries has been known to support heart health.
A 2013 study from Harvard of nearly 100,000 young and middle-aged women found that the risk of having a heart attack can be reduced by 32% by eating only three servings of strawberries a week. Researcher attributes this to the prominent levels of antioxidants called anthocyanins that are found in strawberries.
- Reduce Risk of Stroke
The potassium in strawberries can help lower blood pressure which in turn reduces the risk of stroke. A 2016 meta-analysis included studies that had assessed the antioxidants quercetin, kaempferol, and anthocyanin. This meta-analysis looked at the link between those antioxidants that were present in strawberries and stroke risk. The analysis found that strawberries moderately reduced the risk of stroke after the study authors considered cardiovascular risk factors. However, the authors advise caution over taking the study results too literally, as they looked at the overall impact of flavonoids rather than the participants’ direct response to doses.
- Help Reduce Bloating
While there isn’t one cause for bloating, foods that are high in fiber and water, like strawberries, counteract gas. Since strawberries are a great source of potassium—a nutrient that counteracts bloat-inducing sodium in your diet—they can also help you lose water weight.
- Boost Immunity
When most people think of foods that contain a lot of vitamin C, they probably think of oranges first however, strawberries are also a major source of this antioxidant, with 100 percent (nearly 100 milligrams) of your daily requirement in just one cup of sliced berries. Vitamin C can help boost your immunity, especially during cold and flu season. Most research shows that vitamin C can’t prevent the common cold, but it may reduce its severity and he time it takes to heal from the illness.
- Brain Health
It is believed that antioxidants in strawberries have an effect on all blood vessels including the ones in the brain. It is essential that you have healthy blood flow in order to have a healthy brain. A 2012 study from the Annals of Neurology found that regularly eating strawberries may slow the decline of cognitive abilities in older women. They believe that this is attributed to flavonoids which has a high content in strawberries.
- Keeps Your Wrinkles at Bay
Vitamin C is a powerhouse in strawberries and is vital when it comes to producing collagen. Collagen is what’s needed to improve the resilience and elasticity in your skin. We need more vitamin C as we age to keep healthier and younger looking skin.
- Soften Skin
Strawberries can be used to make a mask to soften your skin. This is often done by mashing the strawberries and adding honey. Strawberries are beneficial on the inside and the outside of your body.
- Blood Pressure
Strawberries might provide may lower blood pressure for people who have high blood pressure due to the offset effects of sodium in the body. Low potassium intake is just as important a risk factor for high blood pressure as high sodium intake so this nutrient is also valuable in reducing blood pressure.
- Cancer
Antioxidants in strawberries help work against free radicals which are a known cause of cancer. According to a review, it was suggested that the reduction of free radicals can inhibit tumor growth and decrease inflammation in the body. Strawberries are not a treatment for cancer however the nutrients can help reduce the risk factors of developing the disease.
- Constipation
Eating foods that are high in water content and fiber such as strawberries helps to hydrate your body and this will assist in maintaining regular bowel movements. Fiber adds bulk to the stool and is essential to avid or reduce constipation.
- Improve Cholesterol
A small 2014 study in the Journal of Nutrition found that people who ate about three cups of freeze-dried strawberries a day had had lower levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) in their blood after 12 weeks.
- Rich in Nutrients
The recommended daily amount of about 8 strawberries contains more vitamin C than one orange and provides more than 70% of the daily recommended allowance. Strawberries are a thorough source of manganese and potassium. They also contain calcium, iron, folic acid magnesium, phosphorus, vitamins A, C, and folate.
- Rich in Antioxidants
Strawberries are rich in antioxidants which help fight free radicals to prevent and treat many health conditions. Strawberries have a variety of powerful antioxidants besides quercetin including anthocyanins, ellagic acid and kaempferol.
- Whiten Your Teeth
Strawberries is one of several foods that can whiten your teeth due to the malic acid content. Now you can swap your whitening strips for a package of strawberries. If you want to show off your pearly whites, just mash one strawberry with a scoop of baking soda then apply with your toothbrush. After a few minutes just rinse it off and repeat this process weekly. You will be amazed when you see the results.
- Improves and Protects Skin
Teenagers are not the only ones that suffer from acne, so do adults. Strawberries can help get rid of acne. They can reduce sagging skin on your body, remove dead skin and protect you from UV rays. Strawberries are a miraculous superfruit and is an excellent choice when it comes to rejuvenating the skin.
