People everywhere love strawberries. They are a great color, they have a wonderful taste, and they work in many dishes. You can use them in smoothies, in desserts, you can eat them as is—the list goes on. They can take so many things to the next level. There is also a certain nostalgia the fruit brings—something that gives you the feeling of the freshness of summer. No wonder strawberries are recognized as a favorite.
But strawberries aren’t just a delightful treat, though. Let’s not forget about the health benefits of eating them. they are rich in vitamin C and K, and they’re full of antioxidants that combat oxidative stress in the body. If you’re not sure what oxidative stress is, it is—in a nutshell—an imbalance in the body.
So, as a low-sugar, low-calorie option, and a choice item that attests as being high in fiber, we think you might want to indulge a little more. Have another strawberry—or add them to what you plan on eating already—they are going to help your daily routine become that much healthier. And, they will help you keep on being happy!
Nutritional Profile of Strawberries
Not only are they delicious, but strawberries are also packed with several essential nutrients. A cup of sliced strawberries, for instance, will contain about 50 calories—perfect if you want a low-calorie, sweet snack and you’re also watching what you eat. It’s also common for flavored yogurts to contain pretty much the same (but not a higher number) calories.
Strawberries supply several vitamins and minerals. They’re most well-known for their high content of Vitamin C, which does several things. It primarily supports the immune system and keeps the skin healthy-looking. Strawberries also supply folate in significant amounts. Folate is needed for DNA synthesis and cell division. So pregnant women need to make sure they’re getting enough folate. You’ll also find a fair amount of potassium in strawberries, which will support healthy blood pressure levels and keep the heart-healthy overall.
Health Benefits of Strawberries
Strawberries are high in antioxidants, which help your body fend off oxidative stress and inflammation. The two types of antioxidants they contain most are ellagic acid and quercetin. Ellagic acid is known to help “kill off” free radicals, decreasing cell damage and rates of disease. Quercetin is an active heart health and anti-inflammatory agent. Eating more strawberries can help improve your day-to-day health, thanks to these active compounds working to support your immune function and cell activities. They are a great food that fights inflammation and offers many other health benefits, too.
Strawberries and Disease Prevention
Not only are strawberries a delicious addition to the grocery cart, but they are also a heart-healthy one! They contain a variety of antioxidants, including a potent one known as anthocyanin. This dynamic antioxidant gives strawberries their rich color while helping to reduce inflammation and lower blood pressure. Several studies have found that the consumption of berry fruits, such as strawberries, is associated with a reduction of cardiovascular risk thanks to improved cholesterol profiles.
As mentioned above, strawberries release their sugars slowly into the blood — unlike many other fruits — and have been assigned a low glycemic index (GI of 41). With glycemic index being >70! Their fiber content (3.0 grams per cup) helps digestion and promotes a feeling of fullness to your diet-supportive plan. For blood sugar control and additional cardiovascular benefits (and fresh, mint-scented breath), add strawberries to your food list.
Incorporating Strawberries into Your Diet
To incorporate more of these red gems in your dishes and up the taste and nutrition, consider the following recipe inspirations:
– Strawberry Smoothie: Blend fresh strawberries with some yogurt, a banana, and a little almond milk. Yum!
– Strawberry Salad: Toss mixed greens and dress with sliced strawberries, crumbled goat cheese, chopped walnuts, and a little balsamic vinaigrette. This salad is a perfect balance of sweet and savory!
When choosing, look for berries bright in color, have a fresh-looking green cap, and appear shiny. Shy away from the pint if you see any moldy or squished (bruised) berries. Do store them in the refrigerator, unwashed, in a container that breathes to ensure they stay fresh for more than a hot minute! They taste darn good. And, you want to experience this goodness more frequently: in a smoothie, salad, and maybe as shortcake or a parfait!
Not only are strawberries delicious, but they also contain a great number of health benefits. Antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals are very prevalent within strawberries. This allows strawberries to aid in reducing inflammation and improving heart health. Among the vitamins that strawberries contain, vitamin C is in very high amounts, allowing the immune system to be improved upon by eating fruit. The dietary fiber contains this, too, making beneficial digestion and gut health improvements.
At this point, the inclusion of strawberries within any diet sounds not only beneficial to a diet but is genuinely beneficial to any and all health in general. A small bowl of strawberries can be swallowed as those are, or a smoothie that is strawberry-flavored can be drunk. If so much as a part of a fruit salad is wanted here, then that can be what is had from this, too. Aside from that, adding all of the strawberries wanted in a salad or on top of cereal is possible.
