How healthy are strawberries? Read the 7 benefits here
Strawberries are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, giving your health a boost. They affect your short-term memory, resistance, fat percentage and much more.
In this article you can read why strawberries are healthy and what you should pay attention to when eating them. You will also find out whether strawberries help (or hinder) you in losing weight .
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Contents:
- Facts about strawberries
- Health benefits
- Nutritional value
- Losing weight and strawberries
Facts about strawberries
- The strawberry was discovered in Italy in 234 BC.
- Strawberries are full of vitamins.
- Strawberries contain little fructose (fruit sugar).
- Strawberries are in season from June to September.
Why strawberries are healthy
Strawberries are not only tasty, but also contain a unique package of valuable nutrients. In every bite of a strawberry you will find vitamin C, vitamin B9, folic acid and essential minerals. And that brings a lot of health benefits, which you can read about below.
- Good for the memory
Strawberries contain anthocyanins . These are dyes that occur in red and blue fruits. These substances can improve brain functions (including short-term memory) [4].
- Protect your cells
Your cells are constantly attacked by free radicals . The strongest line of defense against these attacks are antioxidants , and strawberries are very rich in them. Strawberries can slow down skin aging by protecting your cells [3].
In addition, the vitamin C in strawberries helps form collagen in the skin, giving you fresh and elastic skin in all parts of your body.
- Good for your resistance
The great thing about strawberries is that they are full of antioxidants and vitamin C – two substances that support your resistance. In addition, strawberries contain fibers that ‘scrub clean’ the inside of the intestines, which is also good for your resistance to diseases.
- Contain few sugars
The special thing about strawberries is that they taste sweet and yet contain very little sugar . The taste is at its best, especially in the summer, when Dutch strawberries are in season.
Other low-sugar fruits (that you can safely eat while losing weight) are kiwi and blueberries .
- Good for your eyes
It is possible that by eating strawberries you have a smaller chance of clouding the lens of the eye, also known as cataracts. Strawberries contain many antioxidants that can prevent this condition.
The high amount of vitamin C in strawberries may contribute to the health of the cornea and retina [3].
A study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology shows that the risk of macular degeneration, a disease that can cause vision loss, is also reduced when you regularly eat strawberries [1].
- Help with allergies
Strawberries are rich in quercetin . The anti-inflammatory effect of this substance can reduce allergy symptoms, such as burning eyes and a runny nose [2].
Quercetin can also help to renew poorly functioning cells. In the book Lifespan by Dr. David A. Sinclair writes to the American doctor that this process is important for growing old in a healthy way.
- For beautiful skin
Strawberries can provide healthy and young-looking skin.
The ellagic acid in strawberries has a clear effect on the health of your skin. Researchers from Hallym University in Korea have discovered that this substance can prevent the development of wrinkles. Ellagic acid protects the elastic fibers in the skin, preventing it from sagging [1,3].
Nutritional value of strawberry
A 100 gram portion of strawberries contains the following nutritional values [6]:
- Energy: 32 kcal (calories)
- Carbohydrates: 6 grams
– Sugars: 5 grams - Proteins: 1 gram
- Fats: 0 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
Vitamins and minerals:
- Vitamin C: 98% RDA
- Vitamin K: 3% RDA
- Folic acid: 6% RDA
- Manganese: 19% RDA
In addition, strawberries contain small amounts of calcium, iron, magnesium , phosphorus, potassium, selenium and vitamins B1, B2, B3 and E.
Note: Choose organic strawberries as much as possible. Strawberries have a thin skin and can therefore absorb many pesticides. Therefore, choose organic strawberries where possible to avoid chemical pesticides. This way you benefit most from all the healthy properties of strawberries.
Strawberries and weight loss
Strawberries help you lose weight quickly and healthily. The red fruits have a high nutritional value and contain few calories. The fiber in strawberries helps you avoid hunger and speeds up your metabolism (by reducing the appetite-stimulating hormone ghrelin).
You can add strawberries to your diet by using them in a smoothie or salad, or by eating them outright as a snack.
