Facts about Strawberries
The most delicious member of the family of rose, the strawberry stands out as the only berry having seeds outside. The juicy fruits are indigenous to the Americas and Europe and have already been a favorite for hundreds of years, able to serve in an array of quality recipes yet most popular in their simplest appearance: fresh from the vine.
The strawberries found in the US are generally a cultivated crossbreed of a North American strawberry and a Chilean wild strawberry, which is the Virginia strawberry.
Strawberries can be found in several different forms. Fresh strawberries are available easily in shops and are generally sold dried, canned and frozen to fulfill different recipe demands.
Health Benefits of Eating Strawberries
Strawberry Vitamins and Various Nutrients
Strawberries are rich in dietary fiber along with vitamin C and K. The berries are an excellent source of vitamin B1, panthothenic acid, iodine and manganese. They are a reliable source of vitamin B6, biotin and folic acid. Strawberries have substantial amounts of antioxidants, which may lower the possibility of chronic disease.
Help Prevent Cancer
Ellagic acid exists in a lot of red-colored fruits and berries, such as strawberries, cranberries, raspberries and blackberries. Research indicates that strawberry intake can improve anti-cancer activity especially on cancers of the skin, oesophagus, breast, pancreas, prostate and colon. More precisely, ellagic acid helps prevent cancer cells from damaging P53 gene. Ellagic acid may also bind with molecules responsible for causing cancer, thus forcing them to be inactive. Strawberries are also proven to drastically decrease cancer cells in liver.
Help Prevent Alzheimer's Disease
Besides their recognized health benefits on heart disease and cancer, the antioxidant properties of strawberries are also helpful in slowing down the course of behavioral and neuronal aging. Because of their results towards anti-neurodegenerative illnesses, strawberries are useful in delaying the onset as well as minimizing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
Promote Cardiovascular Wellbeing
Strawberries are also believed to have effects on blood vessels, lipoproteins and platelets positively, which may lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Anti-Inflammatory
Extracts of strawberry are also proven to hinder COX enzymes in vitro to avoid the inflammatory process.
Strawberry Glycemic Index Ratings
In a research to figure out the approximated GI of a different range of foods, it was determined that strawberries contain a low GI rating of 40.
How to Choose and Buy Strawberries?
- The best-tasting strawberries are the most eye-catching: vibrant red with no mushy-looking or dark spots. Fine strawberries are aromatic, plump and firm.
- Try to find strawberries at markets or stalls, or even consider farms which have the berries around for the picking at the end of spring and summer.
How to Store Strawberries?
- Prevent strawberries from going bad and help make them last for a week to ten days by washing well followed by drying them on a paper towel. After being totally dry, line the container with a clean paper towel. Place the strawberries into the container and close the lid. It's done. You will rarely need to dispose of them again.
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