Strawberry is known for its health benefits such as improved eye care, proper brain function, relief from high blood pressure, arthritis, gout, and various cardiovascular diseases. It is good for the immune system, preventing various types of cancers, and reduces premature aging.
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What is a Strawberry?
A strawberry is a sweet, red heart-shaped fruit, which is preferred for its delicious taste. It belongs to the rose family and has, of course, a distinct, fragrant aroma.
Strawberry Uses
Strawberries are often consumed in raw form or added to fruit salads, custards, and various other recipes. They are also used in processed food items, including ice creams, jams, jellies, squashes, syrups, candies, baked goods, and chocolates.
On account of its rich flavor, taste, and color, the fruit essence is also made use of in tablets, medicines, protein bars, energy shakes, and supplements. The fragrant fruit is rich in antioxidants and also has a popular flavoring.
Strawberry Nutrition
Strawberries are packed with several vitamins and minerals such as vitamins C and K, folate, potassium, manganese, and magnesium. They are low-calorie, fiber-rich fruits, which are of course abundant in antioxidants and polyphenols.
Improves Heart Function
Strawberries contain lots of heart-healthy antioxidants such as ellagic acid and flavonoids such as anthocyanin, catechin, quercetin, and kaempferol. These phenolic compounds do lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases by inhibiting the formation of total and LDL (bad) cholesterol. They also do tend to relax the blood vessels, causing improved blood flow and preventing cardiovascular problems. Additionally, the high fiber content, vitamin C, and folate in strawberries form an ideal cardiac health pack as they do effectively reduce cholesterol in the arteries and one’s vessels.
Skin Care
Strawberries contain salicylic acid, alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), and ellagic acid, which does reduce hyperpigmentation, prevent acne and does remove dead skin cells. For a face mask for glowing skin, crush 4-5 strawberries and also mixes it with a tablespoon of honey. Apply on the face, leave it till dries off, and wash off.
Anti-Aging
Vitamin C in strawberries boosts collagen production, tones the skin, and has an anti-aging effect. Its extract is abundant in anthocyanins and also protects against ultraviolet radiation.
Eye Care
Eating strawberries can also prevent eye conditions such as dry degeneration of the optic nerves, macular degeneration, vision defects, and also increased susceptibility to infections. Antioxidants in strawberries, such as flavonoids, phenolic phytochemicals, and ellagic acid, can also help avoid almost all eye problems because they do protect against free radical scavenging activity.
Strawberries can also fix the disturbance in ocular pressure, the pressure within the eyes, which can be harmful. They also contain potassium, which helps in maintaining the correct pressure.
Reduces High Blood Pressure
Strawberries are rich in potassium and magnesium and low in sodium. Potassium and magnesium act as vasodilators, meaning that they help reduce hypertension and the rigidity of arteries and blood vessels. This eases the flow of blood to various parts of the body and keeps them functioning at their full potential.
Prevents Cancer
Vitamin C, folate, anthocyanins, quercetin, and kaempferol are just a few of the many flavonoids in strawberries that do act as excellent antioxidants. Together, they do form an excellent line of defense to fight cancer as well as tumor growth. Daily intake of strawberries is well connected to a drastic reduction in the presence and metastasis of cancer cells. Frozen-dried strawberry powder does prevent esophageal cancer.
Boosts Immunity
Vitamin C in strawberry does boost the immune system and also helps in curing common cough and cold.
Treats Arthritis & Gout
Strawberries are rich in antioxidants and detoxifiers, which do help reduce arthritis and gout pain. They also help in preventing arthritic symptoms such as degeneration of muscles and tissues, drying up of the existing lubricating fluids in the joints, and accumulation of toxic substances and acids (such as uric acid) in one’s body.
Boosts Brain Function
Strawberries are rich in iodine, vitamin C, and phytochemicals, which do help maintain the proper functioning of the nervous system. Potassium, in strawberries, also has been linked to an improved cognitive function by increasing blood flow to the brain. It is good to consume more of strawberries as they are rich in anthocyanins and other flavonoids, and are linked with a slower progression of cognitive decline.
Strawberry for Weight Loss
Strawberries do boost the production of adiponectin and leptin, both of which are fat-burning hormones. They do help reduce appetite, decrease glucose, and reduce body weight and fat, all of which promote weight loss.
Prevents Birth Defects
Folic acid in strawberries is a necessary nutrient, especially during pregnancy, as it does help in preventing birth defects. It is also important for ensuring optimal health during pregnancy.
Reduces Inflammation
Strawberries also reduce elevated blood levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a substance that is produced by the liver which increases inflammation in the body.
Stroke
The anti-inflammatory power of the antioxidants in strawberries does help to reduce the formation of blood clots that are indeed linked with stroke.
Constipation
Due to its high fiber content, strawberries do help boost digestion and also prevent constipation. It does also prevent diverticulitis, an inflammation of the digestive tract, which can rather cause fever and nausea.
Diabetes
Eating strawberries, which have a low glycemic index, can indeed lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Eating strawberries do improve glycemic control among diabetics.
Hair Health
The rich variety of antioxidants, ellagic acid, and vitamins help battle hair loss, moisturize the hair, and also prevent dandruff.
Bone health
Manganese, vitamins C and K, and potassium, in strawberries, do help improve bone health. Vitamin K and potassium assists in higher bone density by retaining calcium in one’s body.
Teeth whitener
Strawberries do contain malic acid, a natural teeth whitening agent. Mix the crushed fruit with baking soda until blended and then put it on one’s teeth. Leave it on for about 5 minutes and lightly use a toothbrush to whiten the teeth.
Treats Puffy Eyes
Strawberries do help reduce the appearance of puffy eyes. For a quick fix, place the slices of the fruit on one’s eyelids and relax for ten minutes.