Strawberry

Strawberries are often associated as a european fruit, and to some degree, they are. They were used back in roman times, and were first cultivated as a garden fruit in france in the 18th century. However, they were also present in south american cultures much earlier, but since there was also a source of strawberries in europe, it is usually thought of as being native to that region.

Strawberries are extensively used in food, including in ice creams, jams, jellies, squashes, syrups, confections, baked goods, chocolates and even in medicines for their extraordinarily rich flavor, taste and color. They can also be consumed fresh. We know that all fruits, particularly berries and those with exotic colors, are rich in antioxidants, which means that they are huge boosters to your health and the protection of your organs from toxic attacks.

These berries, with their tempting looks and spectacular taste, secured their place in the list of favorite fruits a long time ago. Strawberries have the common scientific name of fragaria, but there are different suffixes for different varieties, such as fragaria vesca for wild strawberry, and fragaria orientalis for eastern strawberries, among others. Strawberries grow in bushes and are one of the most delicious seasonal fruits that also boost your health.

The anthocyanins boost short term memory by 100 percent in eight weeks. (the journal of agricultural and food chemistry)

Strawberries lower blood levels of c-reactive protein (crp), a signal of inflammation in the body. In a study, women who ate 16 or more strawberries per week were 14 percent less likely to have elevated levels of crp. (harvard school of public health.)

The red coloring contains anthocyanins, which stimulate the burning of stored fat. When a group of animals was fed a high-fat diet along with anthocyanins, they gained 24 percent less weight than the animals eating the high-fat diet without added anthocyanins. (the journal of agriculture and food chemistry)

Flavonoids a which are responsible for the colour and flavour of strawberries a lower the risk for heart disease.

Strawberries contain potassium, vitamin k and magnesium which are important for bone health.

Studies show freeze-dried strawberry powder may help prevent human oesophageal cancer.

Strawberries are filled with biotin, which helps build strong hair and nails. They also contain the antioxidant ellagic acid, which protects the elastic fibers in our skin to prevent sagging.

The compound nitrate found promotes blood flow and oxygen in our body, which is great for weight loss.

Eating three or more servings of fruit like strawberries may lower the risk of macular degeneration, a condition resulting in vision loss. (archives of ophthalmology)

Not only are strawberries juicy and delicious, they also may lower blood levels of c-reactive protein (crp), a signal of inflammation in the body. High crp levels are associated with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke, and levels often spike when people with rheumatoid arthritis or lupus have a flare, as well.

Researchers at the harvard school of public health studying the value of strawberries found that women who ate 16 or more strawberries per week were 14 percent less likely than non-strawberry eaters to have elevated levels of the protein. These health benefits of strawberries come from fruit thatas either fresh or frozen.

Although the study focused on heart disease, howard sesso, the studyas lead author, says that lowering crp levels with strawberries may be helpful for arthritis, too. So go ahead a slice them on your cereal, add them to yogurt or enjoy them plain as a snack or dessert.

The primary reasons for almost all problems related to the eyes are free radicals or a deficiency of certain nutrients. With increased age and a lack of these protective nutrients, the harmful oxidants or free radicals can cause heavy damage on our eyes, such as excessively dry eyes, degeneration of the optical nerves, macular degeneration, vision defects and increased susceptibility to infections as well.

Antioxidants such as flavonoids, phenolic phytochemicals, and elagic acid, all of which are present in strawberries, can help to avoid these situations to a large extent. One more condition strawberries can fix is is ocular pressure, meaning the pressure within the eyes. Any disturbance in this pressure can be very harmful for the eyes. Strawberries are helpful because they contain potassium, which helps to maintain the correct pressure.

Strawberries contain chemical compounds called phenols. Anthocyanin, a particular phenol abundantly found in strawberries, lends the rich red color to the fruit. Strawberries also contain vitamin c, folate, and the ?avonoids, quercetin and kaempferol.

The phenols in strawberries also fight against many in?ammatory disorders, such as osteoarthritis, cancer, asthma and atherosclerosis.

The fruit is rich in b-complex group of vitamins. It contains very good amounts of vitamin b-6, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and folic acid.

The immune system is our bodyas first line of defense against infections, microbial action, and a wide variety of other potentially damaging and dangerous conditions that can affect our body. Vitamin c is a huge booster for the immune system and has long been known as a helpful cure for common colds and coughs, along with its impact on any other infections as well. Vitamin c also stimulates the activity of white blood cells, the bodyas first line of defense against toxins and foreign bodies.

Vitamin c is also an antioxidant, which means that it neutralizes free radicals, the harmful byproducts of cellular metabolism that are constantly created in our body. These free radicals are responsible for mutating the dna of healthy cells into sick or cancerous cells, and are subsequently responsible for a number of diseases, including heart disease and various cancers. A single serving of strawberries has approximately 150% of your daily requirement of vitamin-c!

The degeneration of muscles and tissues, the drying up of the fluid which helps increase mobility of the joints, and the accumulation of toxic substances and acids (such as uric acid) in the body are some of the ill effects of free radicals. These are the primary causes of arthritis and gout, two extremely irritating and debilitating conditions.

Vitamin-c, folate, anthocyanins, quercetin and kaempferol are just a few of the many flavonoids in strawberries which possess excellent antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties. Together, they form an excellent line of defense to fight cancer and tumor growth. The daily intake of strawberries is connected to a drastic reduction in the presence and metastasis of hazardous cancer cells.

Unfortunately, it is very common for old people to begin losing their memory and control over certain activities, muscles, and limbs. This is due to either the natural or premature aging of their brain and nervous system. Actually, free radicals are the agents responsible for signs of aging because they have an adverse effect on both of these systems. Due to the activity of free radicals, the brain tissues start degenerating and the nerves become weaker. Luckily, strawberries can help you avoid these untimely conditions in life.

Strawberries are rich in potassium and magnesium content, both of which are effective in lowering high blood pressure caused by sodium and various other risk factors. Potassium is a vasodilator, meaning that it reduces hypertension and the rigidity of arteries and blood vessels, thereby lowering blood pressure, easing the flow of blood to various parts of the body, thereby oxygenating them and keeping them functioning at their full potential.

High fiber content, folate, no fats, and high levels of antioxidants such as vitamin-c and those phytochemicals form an ideal cardiac health pack, as they effectively reduce cholesterol in the arteries and vessels. Some members of the vitamin-b family present in strawberries also strengthen the cardiac muscles and lead to better functioning of the heart.