The red, heart-shaped fruits, strawberries are not only tasty, but they’re also rich in essential nutrients that offer plenty of amazing health benefits. Even though the small woodland strawberries were renowned since Roman times, the first garden strawberries were grown in France during the late eighteenth century. Strawberries are very low in cholesterol, saturated fat and sodium, though they contain a small amount of unsaturated fatty acids in the strawberry seed oil. They are also high in a great number of vitamins, including vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, vitamin A, vitamin K, and vitamin E. You can eat strawberries fresh or use them in preserves, pies, fruit juice, smoothies, fruit salads, ice creams, chocolates, and milkshakes. Here are a few healthy reasons why you should add strawberries to your diet.
1. Prevent heart disease
Strawberries contain essential nutrients such as antioxidants and flavonoids that help prevent bad cholesterol buildup that can clog the arteries. Moreover, strawberries boast anti-inflammation properties, which are great for your heart. This is one of the top reasons to eat more strawberries.
2. Improve memory
If you are trying to improve your memory, consider adding some strawberries to your daily eating plan. They contain fisetin, a naturally occurring flavonoid, which stimulates signaling pathways and helps boost your memory. According to a research published in Annals of Neurology, consuming 2 or more servings of strawberries weekly can help delay memory decline in older women.
3. Boost your immune system
High in Vitamin C, strawberries help boost your immune system and protect you from infections. A cup of strawberries contains 100% of your daily needs of Vitamin C. So make sure you eat enough strawberries during the strawberry season.
4. Prevent diabetes and constipation
If you have constipation, you should clear your bowel movements by consuming enough fiber. Strawberries are high in fiber and they help control your blood sugar levels and prevent diabetes. Diabetics can eat strawberries without worrying since strawberries have a low glycemic index of 40.
5. Perfect skin
Strawberries are packed with antioxidants and Vitamin C that help slow down aging process and keep your skin healthy and wrinkle-free for much longer. Strawberries are also a natural source of salicylic acid, a renowned acne fighter. They are perfect for any homemade face mask.
6. Prevent cancer
As I mentioned above, strawberries are rich in antioxidants that help prevent cancer. They contain antioxidants such as zeathanacins and lutein, which suppress cancer cell growth. The high Vitamin C content helps your immune system fight cancer cells.
7. Good for your bones
One of the most important reasons to eat strawberries is because they are good for your bones. Strawberries are high in potassium, manganese and a few essential minerals that help promote bone growth and keep them healthy. Therefore, strawberries are good for children.
8. Help you lose weight
Since strawberries are low in calories (one cup has only 53 calories) they can help you lose weight. Strawberries are high in fiber that helps leave you feeling full longer and help you eat less if you have some strawberries before your meal. Plus, the high Vitamin C content speeds up your metabolism, and helps the body burn more calories quicker.
9. Prevent hair loss
Strawberries contain folic acid, ellagic acid, Vitamin B5 and Vitamin B6, which help prevent your hair from thinning and falling out. Plus, minerals such as magnesium and copper help prevent fungal growth and dandruff. Homemade strawberry hair mask is also great for your hair.
10. Good for pregnant women
Due to the high folate content, strawberries help in the baby’s brain, spinal cord and skull development. Moreover, strawberries contain folic acid that can save the baby from having some birth defects. If you are pregnant, consider including strawberries into your diet. You baby will thank you.
Strawberries boast plenty of amazing benefits and there are many reasons to eat them more. I hope this list helped you to find out something new about strawberries and you will add some to your eating plan. Do you like strawberries?