Benefits of Strawberries One of the most popular and well-known berries is the strawberry. Not only is this fruit a very popular artificial flavor in many candies and drinks, but it’s also commonly used as an accompaniment to desserts — and the fresh, real fruits make for a healthy snack or dessert by themselves.
Luckily, these berries are as healthy as they are bright and delicious. If you’re thinking about incorporating more strawberries into your diet, learning about their ample health benefits will convince you to start snacking.
Strawberries Are Rich in Nutrients
One of the best qualities of strawberries, aside from their delicious taste, is that they’re packed with vitamin C and other nutrients. These are some of the important vitamins and minerals found in strawberries:
- Vitamin C: This vitamin is crucial for boosting your immune system and reducing your risk of stroke, certain types of cancer, and high cholesterol and blood pressure. Additionally, it can even help with diabetes by regulating blood sugar levels.
- Folate: This nutrient is essential in ensuring a safe pregnancy, maintaining healthy red blood cells and helping to prevent heart disease.
- Potassium: This mineral is an electrolyte your body requires for normal cell function, proper nerve transmission, muscle contraction and kidney function. It can also help lower your risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Dietary fiber: Not only can fiber help relieve constipation, but it also stabilizes blood sugar, regulates digestion and helps lower “bad” LDL cholesterol levels.
Other trace nutrients that are not as abundant, but still present, in strawberries include:
- Calcium
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Phosphorus
- Sodium
- Zinc
- Copper
- Manganese
- Selenium
- B-complex vitamins
- Vitamin E
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These Berries Also Contain Phytonutrients
Phytonutrients are chemicals produced by plants, such as fruits and vegetables, that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. In addition to their myriad other nutrients, strawberries contain many phytonutrients, which is why this fruit is often called an antioxidant powerhouse. These are some phytochemicals and antioxidants that strawberries pack:
- Ellagic acid: This phytochemical reduces inflammation in the body, improves glucose metabolism and prevents the breakdown of collagen in skin, thus warding off wrinkles. It also has protective effects on your liver and boasts anticancer properties.
- Flavonoids: These phytochemicals are associated with reduced risks of cancer, cardiovascular diseases and Alzheimer’s disease. Some flavonoids that strawberries are rich in include:
- Anthocyanins: These antioxidants, which give strawberries their red color, have anticancer properties because they neutralize cancer-causing free radicals. They’re also anti-inflammatory and have been shown to alleviate symptoms in arthritis patients.
- Quercetin: This phenolic compound inhibits infection, promotes mental and physical performance and has anticancer properties. It also provides cardiovascular benefits.
- Kaempferol: This polyphenol antioxidant has been shown to have many beneficial effects against cardiovascular diseases, cancer, liver injury, obesity and diabetes.
- Catechin: This natural phenol is an antioxidant that protects against infection, cancer, obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. It also promotes a healthy liver and healthy nervous system function.