Every June when strawberries burst into gardens and markets near my home, I am reminded of my strawberry-picking expeditions as a child with my dad and sister. My mom agreed to make dozens of pies or fresh jam if we’d pick the strawberries needed. Well, that was all the incentive I needed to spend some serious time in the massive strawberry patches in the countryside near where I lived. Nowadays, I try to eat fresh strawberries to benefit from their many healing properties…and, let’s be honest, for their intensely delicious flavor. Here are some of the best reasons to eat more strawberries:
- They’re antioxidant powerhouses. Actually, as fruits go, strawberries have the fourth highest level of antioxidants of foods recently tested. Antioxidants protect your body from free radicals linked to aging and disease.
- They’re excellent sources of vitamin C which helps boost the strength of arteries, prevent bruising, and strengthen your body’s stress glands—the adrenals—which require the highest levels of vitamin C of all organs or glands in your body. Eight strawberries have more vitamin C than an orange.
- Strawberries have been shown in studies to regulate blood sugar levels.Eating one cup of fresh strawberries caused a significant reduction in blood sugar spikes. Blood sugar spikes are linked with weight gain, mood swings, diabetes, and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). That’s because the spikes are followed by plummeting blood sugar levels soon afterward.
- Strawberries have anti-inflammatory and anti-pain properties.In a studypublished in the medical journal Nutrients, researchers found that eating strawberries regularly helped alleviate the pain and inflammation of osteoarthritis in the knees. Of course, strawberries can help reverse inflammation and pain in other places in the body, but the study only explored the knees.
- Strawberries are high in many nutrients that help protect us from heart disease. According to the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, there are many compoundsfound in strawberries that help to protect us against heart disease. Some of the main heart-protecting compounds include: flavonols, anthocyanins, elligitannins, and others. More and more research continues to pile up about the heart-healing and other benefits of these nutrients.
- Strawberries contain anthocyanins which stimulate the burning of stored fat in the body to use as fuel, making strawberries a great choice for anyone looking to lose weight.
- They have anti-cancer properties. Their flavonoid content causes the body to interfere with the stages of development of cancer cells, preventing their ability to multiply.
- Strawberries’ phenolic acids demonstrate anti-allergenic properties, meaning they help reduce the biochemical processes that are linked to allergic reactions. Of course, as with any food, some people are allergic to strawberries so if you suspect an allergy you should avoid them.
- Researchin the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistryfound that strawberries help to protect our genetic material from damage from ultraviolet rays, specifically UV-A rays from the sun.
- They’re delicious and versatile. Add fresh or frozen strawberries to smoothies, shakes, or blender “juices”. Top whole grain waffles or pancakes with fresh strawberries, blend them with avocado to create a delicious pudding, or just enjoy them on their own.
Dr. Michelle Schoffro Cook, PhD, DNMis an international best-selling and 20-time published book author whose works include the vegan cookbook: The Cultured Cook: Delicious Fermented Foods with Probiotics to Knock Out Inflammation, Boost Gut Health, Lose Weight & Extend Your Life.
Note from Karenna* Always use organic strawberries! Strawberries
are one of the most toxic fruits if not consumed organic. Containing up to 20 pesticides. #organicalways