Strawberry is preferred by almost all people around the world owing to its looks and taste. It is included in every household regularly. They grow in bushes and are loaded with nutrients even in its small size. It was considered to be European origin and is believed to be first grown in France dating back to 18th century. Strawberry is used extensively in syrups, jellies, jams and ice-creams. It is also used for making chocolates and baking cakes. It can be had as such due to its extraordinary taste and color.
Strawberries Nutritional-Value :
100gm of strawberry contains 7.7 gm carbohydrates, 32 calories, 2 gm fiber and zero percent fat. To begin with, strawberries are packed with antioxidants essential for cell growth. It also includes several vitamins, minerals and ions like potassium, magnesium and manganese. In addition it also contributes for high fiber content which gives relief from Constipation.
Strawberries Provide The Following Health Benefits :-
1. Eyes
As one grows old, deficiency of nutrients and free radical formation can lead to eye problems like cataract. Without proper nutrition, free radicals can get accumulated in the eyes causing dry eyes, Macular Degeneration and severe defects in the vision. It is necessary to take antioxidant rich food regularly to prevent such complication. Strawberries contain essential phytochemicals and flavanoids thus helping to maintain blaanced pressure in the eyes. Ocular pressure is vital for the health of your eyes and for achieving that take strawberries regularly.
2. Improves Metabolism and Immunity
By taking strawberries regularly, your body gets replenished with plenty of vitamin C which in turn prevents you from various infections including Common cold. It also helps in improving the immune system of the body thereby reducing the risk of several infectious diseases and attacks from bacteria and viruses. Free radicals caused by cellular metabolism is destroyed by antioxidants like vitamin C. Without the presence of free radicals you are less likely to get immunity related diseases. And when the body’s immune system is strong you remain healthy. One serving or 100 gm of strawberries can provide you roughly the daily needs of C vitamin for your body.
3. Arthritis
As said above, arthritis is a disorder related with immunity. Drying of synovial fluid and degeneration of cartilages is the main cause for arthritis. The muscles of the joints get inflamed causing pain thereby restricting the movement of joints in the legs and hands. Eating fresh fruits daily would help you overcome arthritis and Gout. Strawberries are natural antioxidant effective for postponing arthritis in old age.
4. Fights Cancer
Cancer is caused by defective gene mutation. As more and more cells gets piled up over dead cells this causes Tumor in any part of the body. By retaining the essential antioxidants and having strong defensive immunity cancer can be prevented to large extent. Some of the flavonoids present in strawberries are C vitamin, anthocyanin, folate and quercetin which are known to be anticarcinogenic in nature. By taking strawberries at least twice a week you are building excellent flavanoids in your body which prevents cancer formation.
5. Improved Memory
As one grows older, the memory of the person begins to deteriorate certain functions of limbs and muscles cannot be controlled. Brain begins to age more rapidly than your physical age resulting in loss of memory and nervous function. As nerves become weaker and weaker one may not be able to control certain movements resulting in injury of bones and muscles. Degeneration of nerves can be reduced and postponed by destroying the harmful free radicals in the brain. This can be achieved by eating strawberries regularly. Strawberries contain essential nutrients and minerals like potassium, iodine and zinc helping in brain functions. Any fruit for that matter helps in removing unwanted free radicals from your system.
6. Reduces Hypertension
Blood Pressure or hypertension is the major cause of death due to Stroke and Heart Attack. Increased Stress level and high intake of cholesterol rich fatty foods can cause hypertension. Obesity and lack of activity adds more fuel to this problem. You need to restrict the sodium intake in daily meal for reducing blood pressure. This can be done by adding more of potassium rich foods like strawberries. Vasodilators like potassium helps in relaxing the blood vessels thereby reducing increased flow of blood and control blood pressure. You will be able to achieve your goals of target blood pressure by regular exercise, taking medication and including strawberries in your daily diet.
7. Heart Related Problems
Most of the Heart diseases occur due to high cholesterol and building up of Plague like particles in the major arteries. When the blood cholesterol increases, your heart will not be able to pump blood as before. Similarly, when there is excess of plague build-up in the arteries, it gets blocked reducing the normal blood flow damaging vital organs. This can cause heart attack. To avoid this, you need to reduce fatty foods and increase activity level. Eat a balanced diet that contains plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits like strawberries and bananas. Strawberry has zero fat but rich antioxidants and fiber which can reduce the plague like materials from the arteries.
8. Controls Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the most deadly diseases affecting millions of people across the world. Nowadays people of young age are prone to develop Type 2 diabetes. Lack of sufficient insulin secretion and wrong food habits are viewed as major cause of diabetes. You are at reduced risk of diabetes by taking strawberry regularly. Research study conducted reports that by taking table sugar along with strawberries help in reducing the blood sugar level considerably. Polyphenols present in strawberry is responsible for reducing blood sugar thereby controlling diabetes.
9. Crohn’s Disease
Inflammatory bowel related problems like ulcerative Colitis and other disorders can be reduced drastically by consuming strawberries regularly. Anti-inflammatory property of salicylic acid present in the strawberries can help in reducing the swelling of digestive tract reducing the risk of inflammatory bowel problems and Crohn’s disease.
10. Origin
Strawberries are known to originate in European countries centuries back. It was enjoyed in the Roman Empire who cultivated delicious strawberry in their gardens. Sometime later, a French engineer observed that strawberries growing in the regions of Peru and Chile were much bigger and delicious than in his native place. He arranged to bring those samples and cultivated them in France which resulted in present day small sized strawberry.
Additional Tips :
While buying strawberries choose only bright colored ones and shiny fruits. Avoid choosing dull colored fruits and those with patches of green or yellow stripes. Wash the fruits thoroughly before storing it in your refrigerator. Before eating it is recommended to bring them to room temperature.
- People who have allergic response to pollen may develop Allergy to strawberries also. If you develop symptoms of dry mouth, tingling of throat, watery eyes and severe itching after eating this fruit, consult your doctor at once.
- As per the recommendation of the WHO, every person should take 5-10 servings of vegetables and fruits per day. CDC says that it is good for your health if you take 2.5 cups of veggies and 2.5 cups of fruits each day.
- Strawberry can give you maximum nutritional benefit and tastes best, if you consume it within 2 days. You can the benefits of vitamin C and other antioxidants by eating it fresh.
- Select medium sized or even small sized strawberries rather than large ones.
- Store this fruit in air-tight container without any moisture.
