There’s nothing more refreshing than the taste of fresh, juicy strawberries. Their sweet flavor and juicy content can make you instantly want to enjoy these fruits. Their alluring appearance and amazing taste have placed strawberries among the most wanted fruits.Usually people eat this fruit raw. One can also consume strawberries in the form of jellies, ice cream, jam, baked goods, syrups, chocolates and other delicious desserts.
Whether in fresh or frozen form, strawberries are abundant with an outstanding amount of health properties that may motivate you to start eating strawberries today. Strawberries are a terrific source of vitamin C and vitamin K, folic acid, and minerals like manganese, potassium, and magnesium. With only 49 calories per cup, strawberries have relatively low sugar amount and are a proper source of dietary fiber. There are also considerable amounts of flavonoids and phytonutrients in them. With more than six hundred types of them, strawberries are among the richest fruit source of antioxidants.
In this article we will go through ten of the best health benefits of these amazing fruits.
1. Controlling Blood Pressure
Nutritionists highly recommend strawberries for persons with high blood pressure. Actually, the regular consumption of these fruits may even prevent hypertension. Strawberries also maintain proper oxygen levels by promoting a regular blood circulation throughout the entire body. Since they contain potassium, strawberries control blood pressure as this mineral reduces sodium effects. Actually, low potassium levels in the body are one of the reasons that cause high blood pressure.
A study from 1998 points out why potassium is important for controlling blood pressure and states that potassium supplements have only mild effect on lowering the blood pressure in persons with low dietary intake. Moreover, the magnesium found in them lowers blood pressure and boosts the blood circulation and oxygenation. In addition, vitamin C found in strawberries helps regulating the blood pressure, especially when a person is under stress.
A Brazilian research conducted in 2011 showed that this vitamin reduces the mean blood pressure, while also restoring the peripheral vasodilatation response in case of a mental stress in children with obesity.
2. Lower Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
The large amount of vitamins, fiber, phytochemicals, and antioxidants which strawberries contain, balance the blood cholesterol levels and strengthen the cardiac muscle as well. A 2004 research found that the antioxidants in these fruits reduce the chance of developing cardiovascular diseases by preventing LDL cholesterol oxidation, supporting plaque stability, enhancing the vascular endothelial functioning and reducing thrombosis tendency.
Another study in 2008 discovered that strawberry supplements decreased oxidative damage to LDL cholesterol while also kept the lipid levels low and enhanced the diet palatability. A year later, another research found that temporary supplements of freeze-dried strawberries exerts the hypocholesterolemic effects and decreases lipid peroxidation in females that have metabolic syndrome.
A 2014 study also states that eating strawberries improves the lipid levels, antioxidant status, platelet function and antihemolytic defenses in healthy persons. By decreasing the LDL cholesterol levels, which cause plaque buildup in the arteries, strawberries have an important role in decreasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and strokes. A 2013 research found that females who had 3 or more portions of strawberries per week had a 32% lowered risk of a heart attack. Moreover, this fruit decreases the inflammatory reaction in the body, one of the main reasons for a heart disease.
3. Keeps Your Skin Healthy
Several antioxidants found in strawberries, like vitamin C, prevent free-radical damage on the body and skin. Vitamin C promotes the production of collagen in your skin, which is necessary for your skin to remain elastic and resilient. A 2005 research points out why topical use of vitamin C is important as a beneficial agent in the treatment of photoaging and other dermatologic problems.
Vitamin C provides cutaneous benefits – it supports collagen synthesis, protects from ultraviolet A and B rays, lightens hyperpigmentation and improves various inflammatory dermatomes. In addition, this fruit protects the skin against damage by UV-B rays. Strawberries contain a potent antioxidant called Anthocyanin that keeps the skin safe from the harmful environmental effects, particularly the sun.
Anthrocyanin’s antioxidant effects last up to one day after eating strawberries.Plus, the lycopene which strawberries contain fights skin aging signs. If you regularly eat strawberries, your skin will look healthies and more youthful, with no symptoms of aging like age spots or wrinkles.
Strawberries can even be used to prepare face masks.
1. Mix half a cup of mashed strawberries, a teaspoon of honey and two teaspoons of milk cream.
2. Stir these ingredients well.
3. Spread this paste all over the face and neck.
4. Let it sit for 20 to 25 minutes, then rinse it off with cold water.
5. Apply this face mask once a week.