 Enjoy Strawberries
They're packed with health benefits
May 2007 | by Elaine Ambrose
Reprinted with permission from Taste For Life
The jewels of spring, fresh strawberries offer some of the best nutrition money can buy. Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamins C and K, fiber, and flavonoids, and they’re a good source of B1, B6, folic acid, biotin, manganese, pantothenic acid, and iodine. All this goodness comes with no fat or cholesterol and only 50 calories a cup.
beyond vitamins
This fruit, also a good source of the compound ellagic acid, has been the focus of numerous studies that demonstrate its protective benefits against cancer, cardiovascular disease, and the effects of aging. The anthocyanin pigments in berries may be what helps the body block, detoxify, and eliminate carcinogens as well as repair damaged DNA.
Besides ellagic acid, strawberries provide the flavonoids catechin, quercetin, and kaempferol. These substances help inhibit LDL (“lousy”) cholesterol oxidation, promote plaque stability, improve vascular endothelial function, and decrease risk of thrombosis for a healthier cardiovascular profile. Experimental studies show that a diet rich in strawberries may even help protect the aging brain.
Buy Organic
Strawberries rank high on one scale that's not laudable. This delicate fruit, so vulnerable to spoilage and fungi, is heavily treated with tocix and persistent pesticides. Choose organic for all the taste and health benefits these fruits offer.
consumer tips
When buying boxed berries, shake them slightly. If they don’t move freely, they may have mold.
Store berries unwashed and untrimmed in the refrigerator for two to three days. Rinse briefly in cold water just before serving. Then enjoy these recipes.
selected sources
- “Bioactive Substances and Health Benefits of Strawberries” by R. Törrönen and K. Määttä, Acta Horticulturae IV International Strawberry Symposium, 2002
- The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods by Michael Murray, ND, and Joseph Pizzorno, ND, with Lara Pizzorno, MA, LMT ($39.95, Atria Books, 2005)
- An Evidence-Based Approach to Dietary Phytochemicals by Jane Higdon, PhD ($59.95, Thieme, 2007)
- “Potential Impact of Strawberries on Human Health: A Review of the Science” by Sandra M. Hannum, Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 2004
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