The most loved berries are strawberries. These dark red berries are native of Europe and offers multiple health benefits renging from cancer prevention to reducing blood pressure.
The anti-cancer and heart benefits of strawberries come from the phytonutrients and potassium. Strawberries are very rich in antioxidants and plant compounds, and may have benefits for heart health and blood sugar control.
Eating strawberries is a part of a healthy habit. A one serving of strawberry or just 8 medium strawberries are enough to keep you healthy to protect you from various types of cancers and heart diseases.
Strawberry known scientifically as Fragaria ananassa is an excellent source of vitamin C and manganese. It also contains good amounts of folate (B9) and potassium.
Strawberries are usually consumed raw and fresh, but are also used in a variety of smoothies, milkshakes, jams, jellies, desserts and for food flavoring around the world.
Main Health Benefits of Strawberries
100 g of strawberries provide 58.8 mg or about 98% of the recommended daily intake of Vitamin C, which is a powerful natural antioxidant. Eat 100gms of strawberries daily to help develop resistance against infectious agents, counter inflammation and remove harmful free radicals.
Phenolic flavonoid phyto-chemicals called anthocyanins and ellagic acid found in strawberries increase their potential health benefits against cancer, aging, inflammation and neurological diseases
Strawberries also contain vitamin B-6, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and folic acid. These vitamin b complex nutrients help the body metabolize carbohydrate, proteins and fats.
Vitamin-A, vitamin-E and flavonoid polyphenolic antioxidants such as lutein, zea-xanthin, and beta-carotene in strawberries removes oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS). This results in delaying aging and avoiding various disease processes.
Strawberries also contain minerals such as potassium, manganese, fluorine, copper, iron and iodine. All these minerals help control heart rate and blood pressure(Potassium), in the production of red blood cells (copper), red blood cell formation(Iron).
Strawberries have no cholesterol and are low in calories (32 cal/100 g).