Strawberries are a delicious fruit that many of us enjoy, especially when we have a sweet tooth. Not only do they taste good but they are also very good for you. Good for your heart, brain and body in general as they are rich in nutrients, vitamins, minerals and fibre. They also have a range of bioactive compounds in them including flavonoids, anthocyanins, lignans, tannins and phenolic acids. Strawberries also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and may help to prevent diseases related to oxidative stress. They can help prevent against cardiovascular diseases, obesity, metabolic syndrome, certain cancers and neurological diseases.
Heart health
Strawberries are beneficial for your heart as they have
antioxidant, anti-hypertension (high blood pressure) and anti-atherosclerotic
effects. They help protect low density lipoprotein from oxidation.
Strawberries effect on Obesity
Obesity can cause a range of other health problems such
as type 2 diabetes, cancer, heart disease and strokes. Strawberries can help
with obesity-induced inflammation. They can also, increase the amount of gut
microorganisms linked to lean body weight, health and longevity.
A
good source of Folate, Vitamin C and Manganese
Strawberries are one of the richest sources of folate,
a B vitamin your body needs to make DNA and other genetic material. Folate is
essential during pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects and also to help
decrease risk of cancer in adults. It helps with depression, heart disease,
stroke and neurological disorders.
Strawberries also are a source of manganese. Manganese
is good for bone health, reproduction, blood clotting and the immune function.
Vitamin C protects cells from damaging free radicals, makes collagen and boosts
immune system function. This is another good reason to eat strawberries. You
may even be able to lower your risk of lung, breast and colon cancers and
cardiovascular disease. Vitamin C helps slow the progression of age-related
macular degeneration and is great in helping with colds.
Anticarcinogenic
Anticarcinogenic, antioxidative and genoprotective
properties found in strawberries are helpful in warding off cancer. They are a
good source of fisetin, a flavonoid that acts as an anticarcinogenic agent.
Fisetin is good for inhibiting cancer cell stages, for preventing progression
in cell cycle and growth and induces apoptosis (the programmed death of cells
that are beyond repair in the body).
The brain
When you eat a lot of strawberries and blueberries it
may help slow the rate of cognitive decline. Fisetin in strawberries has
antidepressant potential, increases serotonin and noradrenaline levels.
Strawberries may also reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
So, when you feel like eating strawberries, or any
berries for that matter, don’t fight it. They taste great and are extremely
beneficial to your overall health. However, when purchasing your berries
organic berries are better. This is because strawberries, like many other
fruits and vegetables, tend to be sprayed with pesticides in produce, and this
could mean they have a high level of pesticide residues. If organic berries are
not an easy option you could try growing your own. They look quite colourful
and are a wonderful addition to any garden.