seasonal seeds · seeds · Feb 28, 2021

The Health Benefits of Strawberries

Strawberries (Fragaria ananassa) are the world’s most popular berries. Believed to have originated in France, these berries not only taste good but do good as well.

They are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which are beneficial for your heart and blood sugar.

These berries are also excellent sources of vitamin C and minerals like potassium and manganese.

Strawberries are bright red, sweet, and juicy and can be used in jellies, desserts, and jams.

Keep reading to find out all the ways they are good for your health.

What Are The Health Benefits Of Strawberries?

The antioxidants and polyphenols in these berries support heart health and prevent various forms of cancer. And so does the vitamin C these berries contain, which also contributes to skin and hair health. The fiber these berries are replete with aids digestion and helps in weight loss.

1. May Protect The Heart

The abundance of antioxidants and polyphenols in strawberries makes them the ideal food to protect your heart from ailments. Strawberries contain anthocyanins (the antioxidants responsible for their red hue), which protect the lining of the circulatory system, thereby shielding the arteries from plaque build-up and regulating the blood pressure.

According to Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum, a cardiologist at Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City, women who consumed three or more servings of berries (especially strawberries) every week had reduced their risk of heart attack by a third.

2. May Regulate Blood Sugar Levels

Strawberries also contain ellagic acid, and this, along with the antioxidants, helps in slowing down the digestion of starchy foods. This controls the rise in blood sugar levels posts a starchy meal. It also helps individuals with type-2 diabetes keep their blood sugar levels in check.

Strawberries also have a low glycemic index (40), which means they are unlikely to cause sharp sugar spikes when eaten by diabetics.

The fiber in strawberries can also help regulate blood sugar levels.

3. May Help Fight Cancer

Strawberries are exceptionally good sources of vitamin C and fiber, both of which have been found to protect from cancers of the esophagus and colon. The anticancer properties of strawberries, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research, can be attributed to the presence of ellagic acid – a phytochemical that can prevent cancers of the skin, lung, bladder, and breast.

Ellagic acid acts as an anticancer agent in several ways – it acts as an antioxidant, slows down the production of cancer cells, and helps the body destroy certain types of carcinogens.

4. May Boost Immunity

Strawberries are excellent sources of vitamin C. In fact, a single serving of strawberries has more vitamin C than an orange. Vitamin C has been found to trigger immune-boosting antibodies, which ultimately enhance your body’s ability to fight infections.

In one study conducted in Switzerland, it had been found that supplementation of vitamin C had improved the various components of the immune system.

According to research conducted by South African doctors, supplementation of vitamin C increased the concentration of immunoglobulin, which is an antibody and a key component of the immune system. Strawberries are also known to fight allergies and asthma.

5. May Regulate Blood Pressure

As already mentioned, strawberries contain anthocyanins, which are powerful antioxidants that relax the lining of the blood vessels and open them up, thereby lowering blood pressure.

Strawberries are also rich in potassium, a nutrient that helps control blood pressure.

Referrence source: StyleCraze

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