8 Unknown Impressive Benefits of Strawberries

Strawberry - also known as Fragaria ananassa is a heart-shaped berry that has been said to signify purity, passion, and healing. These brightly colored berries have an amazing sweetness that helps to enhance the flavor of numerous food preparations.

They’re an excellent source of vitamin C and manganese and also contain decent amounts of folate (vitamin B9) and potassium. Strawberries are also packed with anti-oxidants and plant compounds, which may not only help control blood sugar but also improve heart health. [1] [2]

Additionally Strawberries are also rich in phenolic flavonoids and ellagic acid. Both of which are known for their antioxidant, anticancer and anti-mutagenic properties. Strawberries are known to soothe melancholy, fever, inflammation, throat infection, kidney stones, & many other diseases.

Strawberry are Usually eaten raw and fresh, however these berries can also be used in a variety of jams, jellies, and desserts or can simply be blended with other ingredients to Smoothie.

This article tells you everything you need to know about strawberries.

Strawberry Nutrition Facts

Here's the nutritional value for 1 cup (100g) of strawberry halves. [3]

• Calories: 32
• 0.3 gram of fat
• 7.7 gram of Carbohydrates
• 2 gram of Fiber
• 0.7 gram of protein
• 4.9 gram of Sugar
• 91% of Water

1. Strawberries are packed with nutrients.

These tiny size berries are exceptionally rich in vitamins an minerals that are known to improve overall health and maintain healthy balance. Some of these include:

Potassium: A mineral that is involved in many essential body functions, such as regulating blood pressure, improving heart health, and many more.  [4] [5]

Magnesium: A trace element that can not be produced in our body and can be obtained through fruits, and vegetables, this amazing mineral is important for many processes in your body, from improving blood pressure to fight depression. [6]

Vitamin C: an antioxidant that is known for its immune boosting and skin health  properties. This amazing anti-oxidants can be easily found in strawberries. [7] [8]

Additionally these are also packed with iron, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamins B6, Vitamin K, folate (vitamin B9) and vitamin E.

2. Strawberries are rich in anti-oxidants

Anti-oxidants are plant compound that help fight free radicals and keeps you healthy and active. Some of these include:

Ellagitannins.  These are related to ellagic acid. Ellagitannins is converted into ellagic acid in your gut. [9]

Procyanidins. These are super effective on health and are mainly found in strawberry flesh and seeds. [10] [11] [12]

Pelargonidin.  This essential plant compound is the main anthocyanin in strawberries, that is responsible for the bright red color. [13]

Ellagic acid.  These particular plant compound is a polyphenol antioxidant that may have many health benefits. Additionally they are found in high amounts in strawberries. [14]

3. Strawberries may help improve heart health

Cardiovascular disease are world's leading cause of death, however the good news is, berries (including strawberries) might help improve your heart health while improving overall health. [15] [16] [17] [18]

In fact several studies have found that strawberries may boost heart health. In a study in middle-aged people with well-established risk factors for heart disease, it was found that berries may improve HDL (good) cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood platelets function. [19]

Additionally various other observational studies in thousands of people had shown a positive effect on lower risk of heart-related deaths. [20] [21] [22]

4. May help boost immunity

“Stronger the immune system - stronger the you". Your immune system played an important role in keeping our body healthy and fighting against any disease, infections and various other possibly harming and risky conditions that can influence our body.

Vitamin C is a is a huge booster for the immune system and its very helpful for curing for normal colds and cough. Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C. In fact “One serving contains 51.5 mg of vitamin C — about half of your daily requirement,”.

However, some researches also suggests that vitamin C may not prevent the common cold, but it may reduce its severity and duration. [23]

5. Strawberries may help prevent cancer

After heart diseases cancer is second leading cause for loss of life. The formation and progression of cancer is often linked to chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. [24] [25]

Several studies have found that strawberries may inhibit tumor formation in animals with mouth cancer and in human liver cancer cells. [26] [27]

Additionally strawberries are also packed with vitamin C and an extensive variety of different phytonutrients, flavonoids and polyphenols like especially ellagitannins  and ellagic acid, which are linked to stop the growth of cancer cells. [28] [29]

6. Regulate blood sugar level and blood pressure

High blood sugar level is linked to number of health complications including risk  of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. However this bright red berry may help lower blood sugar level and blood pressure. [30] [31] [32]

Strawberries are high in fiber, which helps keep blood sugars stable. These red berries are also known to slow down glucose digestion while reducing spikes in both glucose and  insulin following a meal rich in carbs, when compared to meal rich in carbs without strawberries. [33] [34] [35] [36]

Additionally strawberries containt a decent amount of potassium that is. Know to regulate blood pressure and may even help to lower high blood pressure by acting as a buffer against the negative effects of sodium. 

7. Strawberries Are Easy To Add In Diet

These tiny berries are perfect when added to sweeten yogurt, salads, side dishes, salsas, and hot or cold cereals. Strawberries also make a great addition to desserts and baked goods, for its amazing sweet taste and plump texture.

Further these delicious berries can also be blended with other ingredients into smoothie. Here's an simply recipe you can try right now.

Strawberries And Yoghurt Smoothie.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving: 160 calories || protein 5.6g 11% DV || carbohydrates 30.3g 10% DV || fat 1.1g 2% DV || cholesterol 4.9mg 2% DV || sodium 71.4mg 3% DV ||

Ingredients:

• 8 strawberries, hulled
• ½ cup skim milk
• ½ cup plain yogurt or greek yoghurt
• 3 tablespoons white sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 6 cubes ice, crushed

Procedure: 

Simply toss all fresh ingredients in a blender and pulse them until you have a desirable texture, pour in your favourite glass, top them with your favourite garnish, and you are ready to enjoy!

Cheers! 🥂

8. Additional health benefits of strawberry

Here are additional 8 health benefits of strawberries, that might motivate you to add them in your diet.

• Strawberries Make Your Teeth Whiter
• Strawberries Slow Aging
• Strawberries Are Really Helpful with Acne Problems
• They Can Make Freckles Fade
• Strawberries may help fight asthma
• May Help Your Body Produce Happy Hormones
• Strawberries may help improve eye health
• May help fight inflammation

The Bottom Line

Strawberries are amazingly delicious and healthy, more importantly they are low in calories making them a perfect option to add in daily diet. These tiny berries are home to various vitamins, minerals and plant compounds that are known to have powerful health benefits.

Strawberries may not only boost your heart healthy, help prevent cancer, regulate blood sugar level, boost brain healthy, but also will help improve skin health and promote weight loss.

These amazing benefits will surely motivate you to add them in your daily diet. Enjoy them in salad, salsa, cereals, or simply pulse them into smoothie, as these are excellent addition to a healthy diet