How Strawberries Help Protect Our Body From Various Diseases

Strawberries are one of the world’s most popular berries. They have a sweet, slightly tart taste. This small yet mighty fruit is loaded with various nutrients that help keep our body at its optimum health. They’re an excellent source of vitamin C, folate, manganese, potassium fiber, antioxidants, and plant compounds.

Here are some of the reasons why our body will thank us for adding strawberries to our plate.

Helps Boost Immunity

Being an excellent source of vitamin C, strawberries are great for boosting our immunity. Vitamin C is a well-known immunity booster, as well as a powerful, fast-working antioxidant. One serving of the fruit contains 51.5 mg of vitamin C — about half of our daily requirement. Double a serving to one cup and get 100 percent.

Helps Protect The Heart

Studies revealed that regularly consuming foods rich in anthocyanins (which are present in strawberries) may help lower down our risk of a heart attack. Additionally, this heart-shaped fruit may also aid in preventing platelet build-up and even reducing blood pressure.

The fiber and potassium content in strawberries also supports heart health.

In a 2019 report, results showed that the anthocyanin in strawberries has links to a lower risk of a type of heart attack known as myocardial infarction.

Moreover, strawberries also contain the flavonoid quercetin which is a natural anti-inflammatory that appears to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis.

Helps Improve Digestion

Strawberries are fiber-rich fruits. Fiber is a key nutrient for our digestive system. Moreover, they also have high levels of water content which helps in keeping things moving and preventing constipation.

May Help Stave Off Diabetes

When it comes to people with diabetes, strawberries are a healthy fruit choice. They have a low glycemic index (40), which means they are unlikely to cause sharp sugar spikes when eaten by diabetics. Its fiber content also helps to regulate blood sugar and keep it stable by avoiding extreme highs and lows. Moreover, fiber also improves satiety, thus helping people feel fuller for longer after eating and reducing urges to snack between meals.

Helps Maintain A Healthy Vision

The antioxidants, like vitamin C, which is present in strawberries may help protect our eyes from exposure to free-radicals from the sun’s harsh UV rays, which can damage the protein in the lens. Aside from this, it was also found that vitamin C obtained from fruits and vegetables plays a crucial role in strengthening the eye’s cornea and retina.

May Help Fight Cancer

This ruby-hued fruit is simply rich in vitamin C and fiber which both have been found to protect from cancers of the esophagus and colon.

According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, the anticancer properties of strawberries are mainly attributed to its ellagic acid content – a phytochemical that can prevent cancers of the breast, bladder, skin, and lung.

How ellagic acid works? – it acts as an antioxidant, slows down the production of cancer cells, and helps the body in destroying certain types of carcinogens.

Younger-Looking Skin

Due to its vitamin C content, regularly consuming strawberries may result in healthier, younger-looking skin. Vitamin C is vital to the production of collagen, which helps to improve skin’s elasticity and resilience.

Achieve a refreshing, younger-looking, and glowing skin with the help of strawberries. Simply mix two or three mashed strawberries and two tablespoons of honey to create a DIY face mask. Spread it on the skin and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

How To Enjoy More Strawberries?

1. Enjoy strawberries as is.
2. Use sliced or chopped strawberries as an unexpected garnish for hummus or black bean soup.
3. Use them to enhance savory meals, such as our favorite salad, stir fry, or whole-grain dish.
4. Use strawberry sauce to drizzle pancakes or almond butter toast.
5. Warm sliced strawberries over low heat in lemon water with freshly grated ginger root and top with chopped dark chocolate, chopped nuts, or shredded coconut.