You might already be accustomed to grabbing a handful of strawberries as a snack, throwing them in your morning smoothie or enjoying a summer strawberry and spinach salad, but what you might not know is just how healthy they are.
Not only are strawberries low in fat and calories, but they have a lot of nutritional benefits.
Here’s the nutrient breakdown of that delicious red fruit:
Serving Size: 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
Calories: 50
Protein: 1 gram
Carbohydrates: 11.65 grams
Dietary fiber: 3.81 grams
Calcium: 23.24 milligrams
Iron: 0.63 milligrams
Magnesium: 16.60 milligrams
Phosphorus: 31.54 milligrams
Potassium: 44.82 milligrams
Selenium: 1.16 milligrams
Vitamin C: 94.12 milligrams
Folate: 29.38 micrograms
5 Health Benefits of Strawberries
1. They Contain a Lot of Antioxidants
In terms of antioxidants, strawberries are one of the best sources. The high level of concentrated antioxidants in strawberries help you be healthier overall.
These antioxidants keep you from getting sick, can help reduce your risk for cancer, avoid high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
2. Help You Burn Fat and Lose Weight
Strawberries can increase the body’s production of hormones that stimulate your metabolism and suppress your appetite.
Another way they help with weight loss is that they slow the rate of digestion of starchy foods and help control the rise of blood sugar.
Controlling your blood sugar is one of the keys to losing fat.
3. Improve Your Brain Function
Strawberries are excellent at improving your brain function as you get older, which is why many doctors suggest them for seniors.
This is also due to the antioxidants in the berry, which can help restore your memories, maintain your current level of fine motor skills, and help with your brain and nervous system.
If you are at risk of diseases like Alzheimer’s or dementia, you should definitely be increasing your strawberry intake.
4. Build Your Immune System
Strawberries are rich in vitamin C. One cup of strawberries contains 160 percent of the RDA of Vitamin C.
Vitamin C is known as an immune system booster and may help you stave off illnesses, viruses, and infections.
5. Help You Combat Spring Allergies
Strawberries contain a powerful nutrient called Fisetin.
Fisetin is flavonoid that acts as an anti-allergy fighter.
It helps our body’s immune system to respond to allergens and limits our body’s inflammatory response.
Ways To Eat More Berries
Ok, so you’ve learned strawberries are healthy for you. How do plan to add more to your daily diet?
Obviously, the ideas are endless. Usually, my favorite way is eating a few as a sweet treat after dinner instead of dessert.
Word of caution: Strawberries are on the dirty dozen list created by the Environmental Working Group.
This means that conventionally grown strawberries are one of the top 12 most toxic of all produce.
To avoid high levels of pesticides you should purchase organic strawberries when you can and when they are in season.
Better yet, grow some in your backyard.
Here are a few ideas to help you enjoy more strawberries:
-dip rinsed, whole berries into melted chocolate
– blend frozen strawberries into your protein shake
-add to salads
-add chopped strawberries to oatmeal
Are you ready for summer yet?
I am. Just thinking about fresh ripe strawberries is making my mouth water.
Chef’n StemGem Strawberry Huller
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Sources:
http://extension.illinois.edu/strawberries/nutrition.cfm
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/9-reasons-to-eat-more-strawberries.html
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/271285.php
http://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/eat-blueberries-and-strawberries-three-times-per-week
http://www1.cbn.com/700club/blast-fat-strawberries
https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary.php
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-24738/the-seasonal-fruit-that-can-help-you-fight-allergies-and-boost-immunity.html
