The strawberry is not technically a berry.
This means the sweet, red flesh is not from the ovaries of the plant; it’s just the part that holds the ovaries.
Each seed on a strawberry is one of the ovaries…and each seed contains a seed.
So if you plucked some seeds off of your strawberry and planted them, they would grow into more strawberry plants! (You learned something today!)
Besides being that pretty red color and super sweet and delicious, strawberries impart many health benefits to their eaters.
Here are just seven of a much longer list:
High in fiber - makes you feel full longer
That’s what fiber does, ladies and gentlemen…fills you up so you don’t eat so much.
Fiber also keeps things running smoothly, if you catch my drift.
The high fiber content in strawberries works to control blood sugar levels.
Eating a bowl of these berries won’t spike your blood sugar since they are low glycemic.
Contains potassium - helps fight high blood pressure
Okay, try to follow me here.
Too much salt/sodium makes us retain fluid.
The more fluid we have, the higher our blood pressure will be.
Potassium helps the body to balance the negative effects of salt.
This means less retained fluid, which fights high blood pressure. Capiche?
Rich in ellagic acid - promotes collagen production in skin
Collagen supplements are huge these days!
You can help prevent collagen breakdown by eating strawberries.
The ellagic acid is also a natural antioxidant, helping to fend off harmful free radicals.
Contains quercetin - an anti-inflammatory
Quercetin is found in plants and is part of the flavonoid family.
Healthline.com explains that “Quercetin is the most abundant dietary flavonoid. It has been linked to improved exercise performance and reduced inflammation, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels.”
Plus, it may have brain-protective, anti-allergy, and anticancer properties.
Folate - fights birth defects & helps with depression
Folic acid is a B vitamin, also known as vitamin B9.
Your body needs folate to create red and white blood cells, and to create DNA and RNA! (That’s one place where it’s helping to fight birth defects.)
Studies have also shown a correlation between depression and low folate levels.
Vitamin C - fends off cancer & boosts immune system
We know that vitamin C is a powerhouse when boosting our immune system.
One cup of sliced strawberries (about 166 g) contains almost 100 mg of vitamin C!
And according to the Mayo Clinic: “There’s still no evidence that vitamin C alone can cure cancer, but researchers are studying whether it might boost the effectiveness of other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, or reduce treatment side effects.”
Has flavonoids to protect your heart
We already discussed how quercetin is a flavonoid, but there are other flavonoids in strawberries too.
Flavonoids are phytonutrients (phyto=plant) that protect plants’ cells. So when we eat them, they protect our cells too. They are like scavengers, searching for free radicals to gobble up.
You might wonder, when is the best season to buy fresh strawberries?
Well, a helpful blogger answers this question and shares a chart for different areas of the US: https://www.eatlikenoone.com/what-time-of-year-are-strawberries-prices-the-cheapest.htm
Normally you can find strawberries in your local market year round though.
You may pay more for them at certain times of the year, so if you can’t afford fresh, then frozen is the next best option.
Enjoy your strawberries, and may they bring you better health!
Of course we are not medical experts, and do not claim to be, so please consult with your doctor or medical professional before following any of our advice.
