Health Benefits of Strawberry
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| Strawberry-Health fearless |
It is consumed in abundance, either fresh or in such prepared foods as jam, juice, pies, ice cream, milkshakes, and chocolates. Artificial strawberry flavorings and aromas are widely used in products such as candy, soap, lip add footnotes to, fragrance, and many others.
Strawberry was first bred in Brittany, France, in the 1750s via a frustrated of Fragaria virginiana from eastern North America and Fragaria chiloensis which was brought from Chile by Amde-Franois Frazier in 1714.
Cultivars of Fragaria ananassa have replaced, in public publication production, the woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca), which was the first strawberry species cultivated in the forward 17th century?
The strawberry is not, from a botanical reduction of view, a berry. Technically, it is an aggregate helper fruit, meaning that the fleshy a portion is derived not from the tree plant's ovaries but from the receptacle that holds the ovaries.
Each apparent "seed" (achene) upon the outside of the fruit is actually one of the ovaries of the flower, considering a seed inside it.
Strawberry has been hailed as “the queen of fruits” because of its rich nutritional value which offers a range of health benefits as given below:
Strawberries are (very) rich in antioxidants
First, recall what these very antioxidants are. Antioxidants or preservatives, as they are also called, are substances that prevent the destructive effect of active oxygen on the cells of the body. Antioxidants protect the body from premature aging and serious illnesses.
Scientists note that strawberries contain a large number of phenolic compounds - bioflavonoids, which have pronounced antioxidant properties. It is proved that the daily use of strawberries increases the body's ability to resist the effects of free radicals.
However, it is worth considering one significant nuance: not all strawberries are equally useful. Bright, scarlet, with white “buttocks” berries are better to put aside for jam, they have several times less antioxidant substances than in their burgundy, almost black counterparts.
In this case, color is of great importance: the darker the berry, the more useful.
Strawberries - A Rich Source Of Vitamin C
It is generally accepted that the main sources of vitamin C or ascorbic acid are lemons, oranges and, in extreme cases, garlic. Meanwhile, strawberries are a much more reliable source of this substance: a handful of these berries contain more vitamin C than in one orange.
True, it is worth considering that only dark ripe, grown under the bright sun, and not in a strawberry greenhouse, can boast of such wealth. Interestingly, in frozen strawberries, this vitamin will remain in almost the same amount as in fresh.
But there is no reason to hope for jams and preserves - the high temperature destroys the vitamin and there are no useful substances in the sweet addiction to tea.
Strawberry improves eyesight
Ripe red strawberries are good not only for memory but also for vision. Numerous studies confirm that daily consumption of strawberries prevents the development of macular degeneration of the retina, cataracts, dry eyes, progressive blindness, as well as other problems associated with age-related tissue changes.
The unique biochemical composition of berries allows not only to prevent the appearance of many diseases leading to visual impairment but also contributes to the progressive treatment of existing ailments.
Strawberries are good for figure
First, the low-calorie sweet berry. There are only 33 kilocalories per 100 grams, which, by the way, are burned in just a few minutes of active running. Secondly, it has a low glycemic index, which means it prevents the accumulation of fats. Thirdly, it contains substances that contribute to fat burning.
According to some reports, the effectiveness of the selected diet is increased by 24% in those who included daily strawberry intake in it. For such an effect, the anthocyanin, with which the berry abounds, is to thank. So, we cast doubts and lean on strawberries.
Strawberries as a Cancer Prevention
Today, hundreds of studies are conducted annually aimed at studying cancer and its prevention methods. Some of them show that regular consumption of a number of certain foods helps reduce the chances of developing cancer. You may notice that strawberries are viciously registered on this list.
Due to its high concentration of vitamin C, ellagic acid, anthocyanin, and other beneficial substances, this berry can prevent the development of some forms of cancer. Recent studies supporting this property of strawberries include the work of the Ohio University Cancer Center.
Use during pregnancy
Strawberries are especially useful for women in the first trimester of pregnancy. Thanks to the folic acid contained in it, this berry tones the uterus and helps strengthen the fetus. And also in strawberries contains the following components, which are also very useful during pregnancy:
- potassium;
- calcium;
- magnesium.
In the second trimester, strawberries have the greatest impact on the woman herself. As mentioned earlier, the berries of this plant help get rid of insomnia, avoid severe stress and strengthen the nervous system as a whole.
But during the third semester of pregnancy, strawberries can not only benefit but also harm the woman’s health. Therefore, it is better for future mothers to abandon the use of strawberries in the later stages.
Use in cosmetology
Natural cosmetics are becoming more and more popular every year, so cosmetologists are trying to replace the chemical components with natural ones. Strawberries are often used in anti-aging creams, as they perfectly tighten the skin and smooth wrinkles.
With a full course of using high-quality strawberry creams, your skin will look fresh and noticeably younger. And all because strawberries contain vitamins A, E, C.
Cosmetics from this berry can be prepared at home. These include scrubs for the face and entire body.
In this plant, there are many small bones that, when applied to the scrub, help to remove dead skin. In addition, when using a scrub, small strawberry bones disperse blood, increasing skin elasticity and preventing the appearance of cellulite.
Strawberries also have a whitening the property, so the code not only tightens but also changes its color for the better.
Strawberries - a source of ellagic acid
Ellagic acid is a regulator of the cell cycle, and most often it is found in extracts of fruits, nuts, and berries. The substance is known for its ability to stop the mutation of cancer cells. Among all products in terms of the content of ellagic acid, strawberry takes an honorable third place.
In addition to the fact that the substance is able to suppress tumor processes, it also helps fight free radicals, has an anti-inflammatory effect has a positive effect on hematopoietic processes, and also strengthens the immune system, protecting it from external adversities.
Strawberry in folk medicine
The use of a product in folk medicine is considered a peculiar indicator of its benefits. Strawberries can often be seen in the list of ingredients for decoctions, medicinal teas, and tinctures. Moreover, all parts of the plant are used in their preparation: berries, leaves, and stems.
Why is strawberry so useful in folk medicine?
- decoctions help fight depression and severe stress, as it contains the “hormone of joy”;
- Healing tea drunk at night will help get rid of insomnia;
- tinctures help reduce pain with low pressure and diseases of the elastic type of arteries.
Strawberry improves memory
According to recent studies, the use of strawberries slows down the aging process of the brain, which means it prolongs its functional life, allowing us to remain in our right mind and strong memory for as long as possible.
Also interesting is the study, which proves that daily use of strawberries improves short-term memory. These data are important in light of the fact that a deterioration in the ability to remember recent events are associated with the onset of Alzheimer's disease.
Anti-inflammatory Properties
The rich variety of antioxidants and phytochemicals in strawberries help fight inflammatory disorders like osteoarthritis, asthma, cancer, and atherosclerosis.
According to research conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health, strawberries can lower the blood levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) which is responsible for causing inflammation.
It was observed that women who ate 15 or more strawberries per week were at a 14% less risk of having elevated levels of CRP.
Cardiovascular Health
Strawberries are great for heart health. They contain ellagic acid and flavonoids which improve heart health through their antioxidant effects.
They also counteract the effects of low-density lipoprotein or LDL (the bad cholesterol in our blood which causes plaque build-up in the arteries), thus lowering the risk of heart disease.
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