7 benefits of eating strawberries
Ripe and fresh strawberries work wonders. Strawberries can be enjoyed as is, or you can easily add a little sugar, cream or honey. We usually call strawberries a fruit, but in a botanical sense they are not actually a fruit. The fact is that a fruit usually develops from the ovary of the flower, but strawberries develop from the pistil. The little dots on the surface of the strawberry are actually the true fruits. They are called “nuts”. The part we eat, which we call strawberries, is basically just a swollen pistil.
Strawberries taste so good, especially the fresh and ripe varieties. On the other hand, they are also full of important nutrients that benefit the health of the body and skin. Here are some of the most important nutrients in strawberries: vitamin C, dietary fiber, folate (vitamin B9), manganese, potassium, antioxidants, magnesium and polyphenols.
1- Strawberries are packed with antioxidants
Strawberries are relatively low in calories, but if you take a cup of fresh strawberries, they are packed with antioxidants and vitamins. Studies have shown that strawberries are a rich source of various antioxidants, including anthocyanins such as pelargonidin, ellagic acid and other ellagitannins, procyanidins, luteolin, gallic acid, flavonols, polyphenols, tannins, quercetin, and several others. Research has also concluded that strawberries are actually some of the best sources of several anthocyanins and phenolic antioxidants. Anthocyanins are natural pigments that give strawberries their red color. Both anthocyanins and phenolic compounds play many important roles in the body. The flesh of strawberries contains the important vitamins that also function as antioxidants in the body, namely vitamin A (beta-carotene) and vitamin C (ascorbic acid).
2- Strawberries contain nutrients that protect the heart
Eating strawberries often has a positive impact on your heart health. Strawberries are packed with antioxidants that fight the oxidation process. The oxidation process is a kind of “armor” for the body. When we breathe, eat, or just live our lives, our bodies produce something called free radicals. These unstable molecules can damage cells, just as rust can destroy metal. If there are too many free radicals, they can damage the body’s cells and lead to serious diseases such as heart disease and cancer. This is where antioxidants come into play. They help neutralize free radicals and prevent them from doing damage. They protect the body from “rusting” from the inside.
3- Strawberries give you beautiful skin
The condition of the skin changes over time due to internal and external influences. The skin can age quickly or slowly depending on what we eat and what we expose it to in terms of sun rays and environmental toxins. The skin shows dysfunction when we develop acne and other skin problems. Studies have shown that when we consume certain foods high in antioxidants, such as strawberries, we have the opportunity to keep our skin healthy and beautiful even as it ages. Strawberries contain vitamins A and C, which are known to improve skin properties, including hydration, sebum production, reduction of wrinkles and discoloration, as well as increasing skin elasticity and reducing the risk of skin cancer. Vitamin C in strawberries has the additional benefit of promoting collagen production. They also protect against ultraviolet light and lighten hyperpigmentation, as well as improving various inflammations that can occur on the skin.
4- Flavonoids in strawberries improve brain functionality
Studies have shown that a diet rich in strawberries can protect the brain against aging. The anthocyanins in strawberries in particular have been shown to improve brain function. A study was conducted in the United States, where they examined elderly citizens with cognitive challenges after long-term consumption of strawberries. The results showed a positive correlation between a higher intake of berries and a lower percentage of oxidative damage in the brain. Health professionals therefore recommend including strawberries in the diet as often as possible to protect the brain against stress, inflammation, memory loss and diseases such as Alzheimer's and dementia.
5- Detoxifies the body and provides good digestion
Strawberries are rich in dietary fiber, which helps keep the digestive system healthy by preventing constipation, balancing the pH levels in the gut, and reducing inflammation in the gut. Vitamin A and Vitamin C are essential for any ongoing detoxification that the body is carrying out, in addition to both soluble and insoluble fiber. Antioxidants are really needed during the body's detoxification process to neutralize and eliminate toxins that cause free radicals, inflammation, and digestive disorders.
6- Strawberries are rich in manganese
Manganese helps metabolize fats and carbohydrates. Manganese is also good for the body in terms of metabolism, as it helps regulate the chemical processes of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Manganese is necessary for the management of bone growth. Healthy bones are essential for maintaining efficient chemical processes in the body, as they play a role in mineral storage and release. Manganese is important in all biochemical reactions that are necessary to convert food into energy and build the substances that the body needs to function properly.
7-Strawberries are healthy for pregnant women
The B vitamin folate is also one of the nutrients found in strawberries. Folate plays a crucial role in cell division and the formation of red blood cells. Folate is very important for pregnant women as it helps prevent birth defects in the fetus.
