Strawberries are amazing fruits that are not only delicious and healthy, but also highly versatile and great for cooking as well as enjoying on their own! Not only do strawberries taste great, but they’re low in calories and full of fiber and vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, manganese, potassium, folate, magnesium, and copper. Plus, strawberries are known to fight cancer, boost the immune system, protect against heart disease and arthritis, and lower blood pressure! Check out these 7 amazing health benefits of strawberry.
Why should you eat strawberries?
Strawberries are small, red and tasty. They are really healthy for your overall health. Strawberries contain vitamin C, fiber, manganese and copper; all essential vitamins and minerals for a balanced diet. While it has many health benefits, there are also some other amazing health benefits of strawberry which I am going to share with you today. Here is a list of top 10 amazing health benefits of strawberry that we should know about. Let’s take a look at them!
1) They help with digestion
Apples are very high in pectin, a type of soluble fiber that helps prevent digestion problems such as constipation. Strawberries, on other hand, contain a great amount of dietary fiber and water and little to no fat or cholesterol. Because they are low in calories and carbs, strawberries can be included in your diet without having you gain weight. They help with cancer prevention: According to studies, regularly consuming foods rich in antioxidants may protect cells from damage that leads to diseases like cancer. The strawberry is rich in phenolic compounds known as flavonoids which aid antioxidant activity by scavenging free radicals found in various parts of our body.
2) Great source of vitamin C
The average strawberry contains more than 25 milligrams of vitamin C—that’s almost one-third of your daily requirement. Vitamin C is essential for collagen production and healthy blood vessels, making it a must-have for hair, skin, and nails. Because it plays an important role in cartilage synthesis and wound healing, vitamin C can also help to keep bones strong as you age. If that wasn’t enough to make you run out and eat a basket full of strawberries—studies show that getting adequate amounts can improve your mood, prevent respiratory infections like pneumonia, and even help ease depression by increasing levels of serotonin in your brain.
3) Boost your brainpower
Beating stress and anxiety naturally is easier said than done, but strawberries can help. A study published in 2014 in Nutrients found that consuming flavonoids from strawberries helped rats reduce their stress levels after exposure to acute and chronic stressors. But don’t just chow down on some fruit —you should get your strawberry flavonoids from tea! A study published in 2015 in Pharmacognosy Review found that strawberry-leaf tea could increase memory retention among older mice with degenerative brain disease. Studies have shown that components of strawberry can also help regulate blood sugar levels, which is a boon for people with diabetes or metabolic syndrome.
4) Strengthen your bones
As we age, our bones tend to get thinner and more brittle. This loss of bone density leads to an increased risk for broken bones. The good news is that you can take steps today to protect your bone health later in life. Most people don’t realize that dairy products—including yogurt and cheese—contain a nutrient called calcium citrate malate that helps increase bone density! A study in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that consuming enough calcium citrate malate in your diet can lower your risk for osteoporosis by as much as 36 percent.
5) Lower risk of heart disease
Multiple studies have shown that regularly consuming strawberries may help lower your risk of developing heart disease. Strawberries contain large amounts of a powerful antioxidant called ellagic acid, which has been linked to improved immune system function and cardiovascular health. Fresh berries also contain pectin, a soluble fiber known to promote heart health. And finally, strawberries are also high in potassium, an electrolyte necessary for maintaining good blood pressure and regulating fluid balance in cells. To get all these benefits, simply add fresh strawberries to your cereal or yogurt one or two times a week! Plus they're delicious! If you’re looking for ways to up your intake without buying supplements (or visiting chemists) consider adding strawberry smoothies or strawberry banana bread to your diet plan.
6) Are antioxidants to prevent cancer
Strawberries are low in calories, high in fiber and loaded with vitamins C and K, manganese, folate and more. A study in Nutrition Research showed that women who ate at least one serving a week of strawberries had a 23 percent lower risk of developing breast cancer than those who rarely or never ate them. Strawberries are also an excellent source of ellagic acid, which is known to prevent colon cancer cells from multiplying. Another compound called malvidin has been found to be effective at preventing DNA damage caused by exposure to radiation. However, it’s important to note that while berries can provide you with antioxidant benefits they aren’t necessarily anti-cancer agents themselves.
7) Anti-aging properties
Berries—and strawberries in particular—are extremely rich in ellagic acid, a compound that helps prevent cancer and slows down aging by fighting off free radicals. Antioxidants like ellagic acid can also help prevent signs of premature aging, such as wrinkles and fine lines. Strawberries are also packed with vitamin C, which boosts collagen production, keeping your skin healthy and preventing wrinkles. Staying hydrated is another way to keep your skin looking young and wrinkle-free.