Strawberries, a favorite spring and summer fruit, are everyone’s favorite thanks to their deliciously sweet aroma and taste. There are many benefits of strawberries but we will take a look at the 10 best benefits of strawberries. They are an excellent source of nutrients including vitamin A, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and folate.
Moreover, they are also among the fruits rich in vitamin C and manganese. Strawberries are rich in antioxidants, which have benefits for heart health and blood sugar control. Strawberries are usually eaten raw and fresh, but they can also be used in a variety of jams, jellies, and desserts.
Table of Contents
Strawberries Taste
Strawberries have a sweet and slightly tart taste with a subtle floral aroma. The sweetness can vary depending on the variety and ripeness of the fruit, but in general, they have a pleasant balance between sweetness and acidity.
When ripe, strawberries should be juicy and flavorful, with a soft texture. The red, fleshy part of the fruit is the sweetest, while the seeds and the white core can be slightly tart. The texture of the seeds can also add a bit of crunch to the overall experience of eating a strawberry.
Overall, the taste of strawberries is highly sought after and enjoyed by many. They are commonly used in a variety of desserts and baked goods, but also pair well with savory dishes like salads, meats, and cheeses. Additionally, strawberries are often used in smoothies and other beverages to add natural sweetness and a fruity taste.
Nutrition in Strawberries
Strawberries are mainly composed of 91% water and 7.7% carbohydrates. They also contain small amounts of fat (0.3%) and protein (0.7%).
1 cup of chopped, fresh strawberries, or 166 grams, contains the following nutrients:
| Calories | 53 calories |
| Carbohydrates | 12.7 grams |
| Protein | 1.11 grams |
| Dietary fiber | 3.30 grams |
| Iron | 0.68 mg |
| Calcium | 27 mg |
| Phosphorus | 40 mg |
| Magnesium | 22 mg |
| Potassium | 254 mg |
| Folate | 40 micrograms |
| Vitamin C | 97.60 mg |
| Vitamin A | 20 units |
In addition to vitamins and minerals, strawberries are also rich in phytochemicals, and plant compounds promoting health. Antioxidant-rich strawberries may help improve heart health and lower your blood pressure.
They can also help improve your brain function and eye and skin health, arthritis, and gout. The potential polyphenolic content in strawberries may make them beneficial for improving the immune system and reducing signs of premature aging.
Identification of fresh strawberries
Here are some tips to help you identify fresh strawberries:
- Look for bright red color: Fresh strawberries should have a bright, uniform red color. Avoid any strawberries that have a dull, dark red, or greenish color, as this could indicate that they are overripe or underripe.
- Check the texture: Fresh strawberries should be firm to the touch and have a slightly glossy appearance. Avoid any strawberries that are soft, mushy, or have visible bruises or discolorations.
- Smell them: Fresh strawberries should have a sweet, fruity aroma. Avoid any strawberries that have a sour or fermented smell, as this could indicate that they are not fresh.
- Check the leaves: Fresh strawberries should have green leaves that are still attached to the fruit. The leaves should look fresh and bright, not wilted or brown.
- Taste test: If possible, sample a strawberry to make sure it tastes sweet and fresh. Fresh strawberries should have a sweet, slightly tangy flavor with a juicy texture.
When shopping for fresh strawberries, choose those that are in season, as they are more likely to be fresh and flavorful. Look for strawberries that have been grown locally, as they will have a shorter travel time and therefore be fresher. It’s also a good idea to handle the strawberries gently, as they can bruise easily and become less fresh over time.
Benefits of strawberries
If you’re not already a strawberry lover, you should be. Because strawberries are not only sweet and delicious, they are also an excellent superfood. Rich in nutrients and rich in antioxidants (such as vitamin C), strawberries have countless benefits, some of which may surprise you.
The nutrients in strawberries can help the body defend against the following conditions:
1. Strawberries compensate for the lack of blood in the body
Strawberries are a fruit that is rich in folate, vitamin B9. Because of the folate in strawberries, strawberries increase the production of healthy red blood cells.
A major cause of anemia is folate deficiency and its deficiency also affects cell formation and the production of new cells in the body. Special care should be taken to ensure that women consume adequate amounts of folate daily during their childbearing years.
2. Strawberries can improve heart health
Flavonoids are the main group of phenolic compounds in strawberries, i.e. phytochemicals that have many health benefits due to their biological properties. These compounds fight free radicals and reduce the formation of oxidative stress, prevent atherosclerosis i.e. hardening of the blood vessels and help keep blood pressure at normal levels.
High levels of anthocyanins in strawberries may relax blood vessels, help lower blood pressure and prevent cardiovascular problems. Strawberries are high in fiber, vitamin C, and folate, all three contributing to ideal cardiac health. And they can help lower cholesterol in the arteries.
3. Strawberries can improve your brain function
The rich vitamin C, iodine, and phytochemicals in strawberries help maintain the proper functioning of the nervous system. Potassium, also in strawberries, is known to be linked to better cognitive function by increasing blood flow to the brain.
Strawberries, with their high content of antioxidants, protect brain cells from harm caused by free radicals. They also change the way neurons in the brain connect. This ultimately leads to improved brain health.
4. Strawberries can boost immunity
Vitamin C is one of the most important vitamins that support the immune system. Strawberries are an awesome source of vitamin C. A serving of strawberries includes more vitamin C than an orange. Vitamin C has been found to stimulate immune-boosting antibodies, which eventually increase your body’s ability to fight infection.
5. Strawberries are helpful for eye health and maintaining eyesight
The antioxidant properties in strawberries can also help prevent cataracts – a condition in which a cloud forms in front of the eye’s lens – which can lead to blindness in old age.
Our eyes need vitamin C because it helps protect our eyes from free radicals from the sun’s strong UV rays, which can damage the proteins in the lenses of our eyes. Vitamin C also plays an important role in strengthening the cornea and retina of the eye.
6. Strawberries can help control your blood pressure
As already mentioned, strawberries contain anthocyanins, which are powerful antioxidants that relax the lining of blood vessels and open them up, thereby lowering blood pressure.
Strawberries are also rich in potassium, a nutrient that can help control blood pressure and help reduce high blood pressure by acting as a buffer against the negative effects of sodium.
Thanks to their effects on reducing LDL, inflammation, and high blood pressure, these benefits of strawberries have earned this little fruit the title of one of the heart-healthiest fruits you can eat.
7. Strawberries help in blood sugar regulation
Eating strawberries can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes because strawberries have a low glycemic index. When carbohydrates are digested, your body breaks them down into simple sugars and releases them into your bloodstream.
Your body then starts releasing insulin, which tells your cells to take up sugar from your blood and use it for fuel or storage. Imbalances in blood sugar regulation and a high-sugar diet are linked to an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
Strawberries are thought to slow the digestion of glucose and reduce spikes in both glucose and insulin after a carbohydrate-rich meal compared to a carbohydrate-rich meal without strawberries. Thus, strawberries may be particularly useful for preventing metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.
Read More: 5 Health Benefits of Lychee
8. Eating strawberries can help in weight loss
Ellagic acid and antioxidants are two such ingredients that play an important role in making strawberries ideal for weight loss. Chronic inflammation is one cause of weight gain because it blocks the hormones that make you lean. Strawberries, being an amazing anti-inflammatory food, restore the function of weight loss hormones.
In addition, anthocyanins, master antioxidants, increase the body’s production of a hormone called adiponectin. This hormone boosts metabolism and suppresses your appetite. It can also lead to fat burning.
9. Healthy Pregnancy
Strawberries are a rich source of folate. You get about 40 micrograms of folate from one cup of raw strawberries. This is about 10% of the recommended daily intake. According to research, folate is essential during pregnancy as it can prevent neural tube defects. It is also important for the mother’s health.
10. Strawberries promote healthy teeth
Strawberries contain malic acid, which acts as an astringent and removes tooth discoloration. This means you can use this fruit to whiten your teeth. You can easily make a paste of strawberries and then mix it with baking soda until you get a smooth mixture. Using a soft toothbrush, spread this mixture on your teeth. Leave it on for 5 minutes, brush well with toothpaste, and wash it off.
Conclusion
In conclusion, strawberries are a delicious and nutritious fruit that offers a range of health benefits. They are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can promote overall health and wellness. Eating strawberries may improve heart health, lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, boost immunity, and even help prevent certain types of cancer.
Strawberries are also low in calories and high in fiber, which can aid in weight loss and digestive health. They are a good source of vitamin C, which can help improve skin health and boost collagen production. Furthermore, the antioxidants in strawberries may also help slow down the aging process and protect against oxidative stress.
Incorporating fresh strawberries into your diet is an excellent way to enjoy their many health benefits. They can be eaten as a snack, added to smoothies, salads, and desserts, or used in a variety of recipes to enhance the flavor and nutrition of meals. So the next time you’re looking for a healthy and delicious snack or ingredient, consider adding fresh strawberries to your diet.
