With the coming of winter season, we also welcome strawberries. Carrying less than 6 calories a fruit, these little berries are jam-packed with powerful nutrients with significant benefits. Read on to learn more.
Why Should We Have Strawberries More Often?
Strawberries are a rich source of traditional nutrients such as natural sugars, vitamins, and minerals, as well as non-nutritive compounds called phenolic acids. All of these work together to promote our health and in preventing diseases.
Lowers ‘Bad’ Cholesterol
In a study done among 23 healthy volunteers, researchers demonstrated that one month of strawberry supplementation reduced total cholesterol, LDL (“bad” cholesterol) and triglyceride levels compared with their blood values taken before the trial.
Lowering cholesterol helps prevent obesity-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension and promotes heart health in the long run.
Fights Inflammation & Diabetes
Strawberries also help reduce the inflammation that occurs in our body after having a heavy meal.
Inflammation, especially when chronic, produces unfavorable changes in the body and predisposes us to multiple chronic diseases such as diabetes, and heart disease.
The antioxidant defenses of strawberries destroy the free radicals that trigger inflammation in the body.
It’s interesting to note that strawberries don’t even have to be fresh, whole fruit to work their wonders.
One study found that people who ate strawberry jam had a relatively lower post-meal hyperglycemia when compared to those who had a similarly matched glucose load.
Caution: Regular consumption of processed, high-calorie food is not advised for general health reasons.
Picture credits: Image by jcomp on Freepik
Prevents Deadly Cancer
Studies have found that having about 60g of the fruit a day for 6 months can halt the progression of pre-cancerous conditions to dangerous cancerous conditions such as cancer of the oesophagus (food pipe). It is also protective against cancers of the head and neck regions.
Phenolic compounds in strawberries help protect and repair damage to DNA and favourably modulate the genes indicated in cancer.
Slows Down Memory Loss
Research has shown that a high intake of strawberries slows down cognitive decline among the elderly, leading to better memory and attention capacity. This is mainly due to the presence of compounds called ‘flavonoids’ in strawberries which are also richly found in blueberries.
Picture credits: Image by drobotdean on Freepik
Other Benefits of Strawberries
Compounds in strawberries are also found to have the following beneficial effects.
-Antimicrobial (antibiotic) properties
-Anti-allergy effects
-Anti-hypertensive power, i.e. it lowers blood pressure
Takeaway
-Strawberries are a powerhouse of nutrients
-They can be consumed in different forms to reap their benefits
-Strawberries help in the prevention and management of chronic diseases
Picture credits: Photo by Amie Bell on Unsplash
Source
Giampieri F, Forbes-Hernandez TY, Gasparrini M, Alvarez-Suarez JM, Afrin S, Bompadre S, Quiles JL, Mezzetti B, Battino M. Strawberry as a health promoter: an evidence based review. Food & function. 2015;6(5):1386-98.
Read More: https://tdznkwjt9mxt6p1p8657.cleaver.live/top-6-fruits-ranked-according-their-health-benefit/
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