Strawberries are delicious, but amazingly enough, they also come packed with a number of health benefits. This means that strawberries are not only a healthier snack than processed foods, but can also aid with everything from your skin and heart to immunity, weight, allergies and much more.
Here are just a few reasons why these delicious members of the rose family belong on your menu.
1. Strawberries Can Keep Your Teeth Healthy
Why go through all the hassle of teeth whitening treatment when strawberries can keep your teeth looking great naturally. The reason why teeth tend to turn yellow is because of plaque build-up.
However, vitamin C is able to break down plaque, and it just so happens that strawberries are filled with a strong concentration of this vitamin. The polyphenols in strawberries can also combat the bacteria in your mouth that lead to gum disease or tooth decay.
2. Strawberries Are Great For Your Skin
Strawberries are not only great to eat, but their health benefits extend beyond your diet as well. Anyone struggling with acne or even wrinkles should apply a strawberry mask to experience the benefits.
A mixture of honey, yogurt, oatmeal and strawberry applied to the face as a mask will hydrate and sooth the skin while also getting rid of unwanted acne. On the other hand, the vitamin C in strawberries helps with collagen production, which makes skin more resilient and elastic. This in turn results in younger looking skin, especially as collagen is lost through the aging process.
3. Strawberries Lower The Risk Of Heart Diseases
One of the reasons why heart disease is so common is because of LDL, which is bad cholesterol. Adding strawberries to your diet can help to lower this risk, as they are packed with ellagic acid, which is able to help control LDL.
In addition, the rich vitamin C content of strawberries is also good for strengthening the arteries and blood vessels. Because strawberries contain potassium, they can also assist with regulating blood pressure and even counteracting the negative effects of sodium to help lower blood pressure.
Inflammation of the joints is known to lead to heart disease, but the phytochemicals and antioxidants in strawberries can help to prevent this.
4. Strawberries Provide A Boost To Your Immunity
With only two servings of strawberries a day it is possible to get your entire daily requirement of vitamin C. Since our bodies are not able to produce vitamin C naturally, strawberries offer a great way to boost the immune system.
This means that by making strawberries a regular staple in your diet you’ll be able to ward off common colds and coughs that prey on weak immune systems. It also improves the body’s defense against foreign bodies and toxins, as vitamin C stimulates the activity of white blood cells.
5. Strawberries Can Help With Weight Management
It is very important to maintain a healthy weight, and the low calories of strawberries make them a great treat that can be enjoyed without packing on the pounds. Not only are strawberries fat-free, but they are also low in sugar and sodium.
Even with their natural sugar content strawberries are still a healthier snack choice. Strawberries also contain anthocyanins, which is able to stimulate the burning of stored fat. Thanks to the polyphenols in strawberries the body needs less insulin for normal blood glucose as the breakdown and absorption of carbs are decreased.
Finally, the compound nitrate that is found in strawberries is also useful for promoting blood flow and oxygen in the body, both of which contribute to better weight loss.
6. Strawberries Slow Down The Aging Process
Aging is inevitable, but it is also a process that can be slowed down with the proper eating habits. Because strawberries are rich in antioxidants, they are able to provide powerful protection against free radicals that can cause premature aging.
7. Strawberries Can Help Combat Allergies And Asthma Symptoms
Not only are asthma and allergies a nuisance, but often expensive medication is required to fight the symptoms. Strawberries offer a more natural way to deal with these ailments thanks to the anti-inflammatory properties of the strawberries.
Because asthma is caused by chronic inflammation of the airways it makes sense to add strawberries to your diet as a preventative measure. Due to the high quercetin content in strawberries they are also great for alleviating allergies.
8. Strawberries Provide Essential Vitamins And Minerals During Pregnancy
Even during pregnancy strawberries remain useful to women who are paying close attention to their nutrition. The body requires plenty of minerals and vitamins to help the baby with growth during pregnancy, and strawberries are fortunately packed with these.
The B-vitamin, folate, found in strawberries is especially important in the early stages of pregnancy as it influences the development of the baby’s spinal cord, skull and brain.
9. Strawberries Have Anti-Cancer Properties
The ellagic acid content in strawberries isn’t only good for controlling LDL, but actually has anti-cancer properties as well. In fact, ellagic acid can even bind with molecules that cause cancer, thereby rendering them inactive.
10. Strawberries Can Make You Feel Happier
Although there is no quick cure for feeling unhappy, strawberries can actually help to make a difference. If homocysteine forms in the body, it can prevent the production of dopamine and serotonin, both of which are neurotransmitters that can influence happiness.
The contents of strawberries are able to prevent too much homocysteine from forming, which can have a big impact on your mood. High levels of the homocysteine amino acid in the blood are also associated with damage to the arteries, so preventing this from occurring is another reason to be happy.
11. Strawberries Are Good For Your Eyes
If you want to safeguard against poor eyesight or simply get rid of bags under your eyes, strawberries are once again the answer. The anti-inflammatory properties of strawberries make short work of dark eye bags while the high vitamin C concentration and antioxidant properties can prevent cataracts from forming.
In addition, the cornea and retina of the eye are also strengthened thanks to vitamin C. The potassium content in strawberries also help to maintain the correct pressure within the eyes.
12. Strawberries Can Help With Healthy Digestion
Because of their fiber content, strawberries are useful for assisting with healthy digestion. Not only is fiber required to prevent issues such as constipation, but also diverticulitis, which is a common digestive ailment among the older population.
Because strawberries are high in water content, they can help with keeping you hydrated, which in turn results in bowel movements that are regular.
13. Strawberries Are Good For Bone Health
Because strawberries contain magnesium, vitamin K and potassium, they are very helpful for maintaining bone health as well. In addition, strawberries also contain biotin, which is able to help with building strong nails and hair.