Why is strawberries good for us

Here are all the reasons your body will thank you for adding the ruby-hued fruit to your plate. Strawberries are rich in fiber and vitamin C, a nutrient pairing that's great for reducing oxidative stress, which can reduce heart disease and cancer risk. Plus, strawberries are a good source of potassium , which has been shown to help protect against heart disease.

Eating strawberries may also reduce your chances of having a heart attack. A study from Harvard of nearly , young and middle-aged women found that eating at least three servings a week of strawberries reduced the risk of heart attack by 32 percent. Researchers attributed the effect to high levels of antioxidants called anthocyanins in strawberries.

Another small study in the Journal of Nutrition found that people who ate 50 grams about three cups of freeze-dried strawberries a day had lower levels of "bad" LDL cholesterol in their blood after 12 weeks. Alexandra Caspero , RD, a registered dietitian based in St.

Louis, MO, notes, that other studies have found that berries can help reduce platelet aggregation when platelets stick together , another risk factor for heart disease. Regularly eating berries, including strawberries, has been linked to reduced risk of cancers, including esophageal cancer and lung cancer , in animal studies; the research is promising but still mixed in human studies.

Strawberries contain protective plant compounds called polyphenols, two of which — ellagic acid and ellagitannins — have shown promise in helping to manage some of the effects of type 2 diabetes.

In particular, they appear to regulate blood sugar and manage blood pressure. More research is needed to validate these effects in humans. Studies suggest that strawberries may prevent certain cancers. The protective effect is thought to be thanks to a combination of polyphenols including ellagic acid and ellagitannins, which appear to halt the growth of cancer cells in animal studies.

More human studies are needed to establish the correct method of action and to confirm the effects. Strawberries have a low glycaemic index GI and as such help moderate blood sugar release. Studies suggest that a diet with plenty of low GI foods may be beneficial for weight management and for reducing the incidence of obesity-related diseases.

Strawberries are also low in calories, yet sweet tasting so may be helpful as a sweet fix. Although most of us can enjoy strawberries without a problem, they are a common allergen , especially for young children. If you have allergies to birch pollen or apples, you are more likely to develop a secondary food allergy to strawberries. If this is relevant, you should avoid strawberries. Strawberries, along with fruits including apples, peaches, avocados and blueberries contain natural chemicals called salicylates.

Some people are sensitive to these compounds and may experience an allergic reaction including skin rash and swelling. At the start of the study, the women reported how often they ate strawberries. Fourteen years later, over 2, of the women had diabetes. Compared to women who rarely or never ate strawberries, those who ate strawberries at least monthly had a lower risk for diabetes. Further, the American Diabetes Association identifies berries, including strawberries, as one of the top 10 superfoods for a diabetes meal plan.

Reason 3: Strawberries are good for your heart Anthocyanins are phytonutrients or natural plant chemicals found in strawberries. A study published in Circulation found that high anthocyanin intake more than 3 weekly servings of strawberries is associated with a lower risk of heart attacks in middle-aged women.

As it turns out, a healthy daily dose of berries, including strawberries, in your diet can play a big role in staving off dementia in old age. It takes a little more work, but here are long-stemmed strawberries. Reason 5: Strawberries have less sugar than many realize Folks believe that strawberries have more sugar than other fruits. However, strawberries actually contain the lowest amount of sugar 7 grams per one-cup serving compared to the top 5 popular fruit oranges, bananas, grapes, apples, and strawberries.

Gorgeous handful of fresh picked strawberries. However, when asked which they consume the most, only 12 percent of respondents indicated strawberries as their most consumed fruit. For this reason, people who consume insufficient amounts of vitamin C can develop gum problems. Strawberries, which are a good source of vitamin C, help maintain a healthy mouth.

Strawberries have been proven to help protect against cancer thanks to the anthocyanins they contains. Fresh ripe organic red strawberries are harvested in a garden. Shutterstock Photo. It was never a secret that consuming strawberries is beneficial for health. It is summertime, which means we can have more fresh fruits and berries to pick from. So, what are the good aspects? Here are 12 benefits of strawberries that you might not know.

Supports the immune system Vitamin C is one of the most important vitamins that support the immune system. Effective against anemia Strawberries are a fruit rich in folate, that is, vitamin B Improves skin quality The skin normally has a high concentration of vitamin C.