Ever since childhood, all of us have been told about the benefits of eating our greens and fruits. Be it from a stern mother pestering you to eat those peas or a loving grandmother sneaking a few slices of apple within that milkshake, grown-ups have tried all possible ways to set healthy habits.
Yet, it is ironic how it is grown-ups who often end up having the unhealthiest habits, filled with poor self-care, instant food, and harmful coping mechanisms. Be it because of having no time for cooking in our busy schedules, or because the brief satisfaction from eating junk food overrides our daily stress, there are many reasons why we end up succumbing to temptation.
But even if this feels gratifying for a moment, it will only end up having negative consequences in the longer run. As dull as it may sound to keep eating those veggies and fruits, it really is very beneficial for you.
To cope with your hectic lifestyle, you need all the nutrition you can get. And what better way to do this than to turn to nature, the place that has all the secrets to good health?
We know that it may be hard to convince you of this immediately. So, we are going to start by talking about something which may sound more appealing to you—strawberries.
If you are the type of person who enjoys the taste of strawberry in ice-cream, why not learn a bit more about the real thing? Today, we are going to tell you all about the health benefits of strawberries and why you should consider including it in your diet?
Nutrients in Strawberries
Strawberries, also known as Fragaria Ananassa, belong to the genus Fragaria, which is also the genus for flowering plants in the rose family. Good quality strawberries are deep red, juicy, and sweet on the inside. Because of this, they can be a very good addition to desserts and other such dishes, because they taste amazing,
StrawberriesAll the health benefits of strawberries are because of the rich nutrients packed in them. Strawberries are an excellent source of Vitamin C as well as manganese, also containing high levels of antioxidants called polyphenols. They also have a decent amount of dietary fiber which can improve gut health. They also contain a fair amount of potassium and folate.
Strawberries also have a low glycemic index, which means that they do not cause large spikes of blood sugar in your body. Thus, the benefits of eating strawberries are not just limited to adding nutrients, but also in maintaining fitness regimes. Other than this, they are also fat-free, cholesterol-free, and sodium-free.
Thus, all these factors add up to make all the strawberry benefits which you can enjoy after eating the fruit.
7 Benefits of Eating Strawberries
Now that you know all the basic facts about strawberries, let’s get into the actual benefits you can reap from there. Here is a list of 7 health benefits of strawberry:
1. May help in Reducing Wrinkles
You thought this list would be all about nutrition? Well, get ready to be surprised, because this very first point talks about how strawberries can be excellent for your skin. Strawberries contain a large amount of Vitamin C, which is crucial in the production of collagen, which keeps the skin resilient and elastic, reducing wrinkles.
Benefits of strawberriesNot only this, but strawberries also contain ellagic acid, which prevents the destruction of collagen while also being anti-inflammatory, effectively improving the quality of the skin.
Additionally, you can also use strawberries of DIY skincare, such as in making face masks and lip scrubs.
2. May help in Improving Heart Health
Strawberries may also help in improving heart health by improving vascular function and blood lipid profile. The flavonoids and ellagic acid in the strawberries can work towards preventing the oxidation of LDL (bad cholesterol).
Research has shown how strawberries might also help in reducing oxidative stress and damage, which plays a role in both diabetes and heart diseases. Hence, one of the most important strawberry benefits is the fact that it can give support to the most essential organ of our body.
3. May help in Reducing Inflammation
Studies have shown how consuming strawberries may help in reducing inflammation, by lowering your body’s C-reactive protein (CRP), which is the culprit behind it.
The phytochemicals and antioxidants in strawberries may also help in reducing inflammation of the joints. In some cases, this inflammation of the joints may become a cause of arthritis and heart disease. Thus, by eating strawberries, you would reduce your chances of getting either and get support in maintaining your health.
4. May help in Preventing Cancer
Strawberries are counted amongst the special foods which may help in reducing your chances of getting cancer. Strawberries contain ellagitannins and ellagic acid, which have been shown to stop the growth of cancer cells.
Strawberries also contain antioxidants like lutein and zeathancins, which act as scavengers for free-radicals, neutralizing any negative effect which they may have. Hence, this is one of those magical health benefits of strawberry, because they could be protective against one of the deadliest illnesses.
5. May help in Managing Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce your risk of being affected by many health conditions such as type 2 diabetes. Strawberry benefits can be useful in this case too because strawberries are low in calories, while also being fat-free. While strawberries do contain natural sugars, the quantity is low enough for you to be able the sweetness without worrying too much.
Top benefits of strawberryAdditionally, strawberries also have fiber which can improve your digestive health. Hence, not only do these satisfy your sweet tooth, but they do it while also taking care of your body.
6. May Help In Regulate Blood Sugar
Your body’s ability to maintain normal glucose levels is very important. Improper regulation of blood sugar can often lead to conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, and obesity.
Eating strawberries may help prevent this because it has been observed that they can slow down the digestion of glucose, reducing large increases in both insulin and glucose. This means that eating strawberries may help you keep your blood sugar levels in control, which can be very beneficial to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
7. May help in Boosting overall Immunity
As mentioned before, strawberries are rich in Vitamin C content, which is an excellent immunity booster. Eating strawberries can help cover a large part of your daily Vitamin C requirement.
This, along with all the other health benefits of strawberries mentioned above, culminates into giving you a healthier, stronger body. So, if you’re trying to improve your immunity to ward off diseases, give strawberries a try today!
Importance of Maintaining a Healthy Diet
Ultimately, just adding one healthy fruit to your diet will not make a big difference unless you follow it up with consistency and overall care. Try to incorporate healthier meals in your daily schedule, while also getting some exercise per week. Doing so will not only keep your body well but also make your mind feel more positive.
Nutrition for good healthRemember that is okay to slip up and indulge in your favorites every once in a while. No one can force you to stick to only purely nutritious food. After all, we are human, and sometimes we just have fun in the way we want.
What’s important is that you are actively taking care of yourself on the good days, and passively on the days when even getting out of bed is difficult. Sometimes, just giving yourself a big hug and allowing yourself to just exist can be the greatest support you need.
Also read- Strawberry Legs
