Strawberries are a popular fruit worldwide, not only for their sweet taste but also for their remarkable health benefits.
Strawberries contain more vitamin C than oranges (by weight) and are often used to cleanse the digestive system. Additionally, strawberries are packed with numerous healthful substances.
Nutrition expert Nigel Denby states: “Strawberries have cardiovascular protective effects, anti-inflammatory properties, and notably, anti-cancer benefits. They are classified among the healthiest foods in the world.”
Strawberries Have 10 Times More Vitamin C Than Apples
In 100g of strawberries, there are 35g of vitamin C, which is said to be double that of oranges and ten times that of apples, helping to boost the body’s immunity and improve skin health.
Strawberries rich in vitamin C and protein, lipids…
In Vietnam, strawberries thrive in cooler climates such as Da Lat and Sa Pa. The fruit resembles a chicken heart in shape, is red, has soft flesh, a sweet-sour taste, and is juicy, typically consumed as a dessert.
General Practitioner Bui Duc Sang from the Academy of Science and Technology notes that strawberries are rich in vitamin C, proteins, and lipids. A diet high in vitamin C helps alleviate flu symptoms and boosts the body’s resistance. Due to their high vitamin C content, strawberries also benefit eye health and reduce dark circles. The anthocyanidin in strawberries aids in burning fat, supports weight loss, treats acne, enhances skin beauty, and slows the aging process. Strawberries are highly beneficial for pregnant women.
The antioxidants in strawberries are three times more abundant than in red grapes and ten times more than in tomatoes, preventing cancer and atherosclerosis. The minerals in strawberries are also plentiful, helping to maintain acid-base balance in the body and promoting overall health. Notably, the organic acids in strawberries help break down lipids in food, stimulating digestion and enhancing appetite. The pectin in strawberries retains water, stimulates gastric juices, and promotes intestinal contractions, facilitating easy bowel movements and eliminating excess cholesterol and heavy metals. Therefore, strawberries are excellent for individuals with coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, constipation, fatigue, and anemia.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, strawberries are considered sour and sweet, with a cooling nature, beneficial for lung health, regulating digestion, nourishing the body, detoxifying, enriching the blood, benefiting the stomach, breaking down fat, and promoting bowel movements. They are particularly effective for treating coughs, loss of appetite, anemia, fatigue, and alcohol intoxication.
Strawberries Promote Collagen Production for Youthful Skin
Strawberries are also rich in ellagic acid
According to Healthline, like other vitamin C-rich foods, strawberries help boost collagen production for youthful skin. However, strawberries are also high in ellagic acid. This compound protects the skin from sun damage, preventing collagen breakdown and wrinkles, resulting in healthier and more youthful-looking skin.
Ellagic acid and antioxidants in strawberries help safeguard the skin from free radical damage. Environmental factors such as stress, pollution, and harmful UV rays cause oxidative stress on the skin, leading to dullness and premature aging. By supplementing with ellagic acid, vitamin C from strawberries significantly improves the skin’s appearance.
Strawberries also contain Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA). According to DS Ha Khac Huy (based in Hanoi), this substance benefits skin whitening by enhancing collagen production. Strawberries contain AHA, which helps exfoliate dead skin cells and cleanse the skin. They rejuvenate damaged skin, providing a brighter complexion.
This is especially true for the delicate eye area. AHA in strawberries gently exfoliates this area, draining lymph nodes and smoothing the skin considerably. You will achieve brighter, younger-looking eyes with reduced dark circles and visible spots.
They are also excellent for skin with many imperfections. Specifically, salicylic acid and ellagic acid in strawberries help treat pigmentation issues, dark spots, acne, and acne scars. You will have skin that is not only rich in collagen but also clean and clear, as clogged pores, dead cells, dirt, and impurities are all eliminated.
Cancer Prevention
Strawberries are an abundant source of antioxidants such as anthocyanins and ellagic acid, which are known for their cancer-fighting properties.
The anthocyanin found in strawberries is responsible for the fruit’s characteristic red color. It helps eliminate harmful free radicals in the blood. These free radicals can damage and alter tissues, potentially leading to cancer cell formation.
Strawberries are a rich source of antioxidants.
The ellagic acid content in strawberries has been scientifically proven to inhibit tumor growth in the lungs, esophagus, breast, cervix, and tongue.
A recent study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry indicates that scientists found antioxidants in strawberries could prevent the development of liver cancer cells in humans.
Another study in the United States showed that strawberries could reduce the carcinogenic effects of substances found in tobacco.
Preventing Vision Loss
Strawberries are a rich source of vitamin C, a fact well established by science.
A study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology found that consuming a lot of vitamin C-rich fruit can reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration by 36%.
Age-related macular degeneration is considered the leading cause of vision loss in older adults.
Strawberries are particularly beneficial for eye health, as like many other vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables, they help reduce the risk of cataracts and are excellent for eye function.
Weight Management
The flavonoids in strawberries may prevent age-related weight gain.
Strawberries are also considered a weight management food. Recent studies show that strawberries are among the fruits that can aid weight loss when consumed daily. Scientists have found that flavonoids in strawberries can prevent age-related weight gain by stimulating metabolism and reducing appetite. Therefore, if you plan to lose weight, consider adding strawberries to your daily diet.
Cholesterol Reduction
Strawberries help lower cholesterol and the risk of cardiovascular disease. A recent study found that incorporating strawberries into the diets of obese individuals significantly reduced their bad cholesterol levels.
Anti-Aging Benefits
Researchers found that male mice with a diet rich in strawberries exhibited reduced signs of age-related functional brain decline. These mice also showed improved learning and motor skills.
Just 8 strawberries a day meet the folate needs of an adult woman.
This may be linked to the presence of omega-3 fatty acids in strawberries, which are very beneficial for maintaining brain health.
Benefits for Fetal Development
Folic acid, also known as folate, is one of the few vitamins known to prevent neural tube defects like spina bifida that affect 1,500 newborns in the UK each year.
Just 8 strawberries a day are enough to meet the folate needs of an adult woman. Folic acid is an essential component of cerebrospinal fluid and helps produce red blood cells.
Good for Digestion
Strawberries are high in fiber, which has been scientifically proven to reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and digestive disorders.
One strawberry has only 47 calories but contains 3.5 grams of fiber – about one-tenth of the daily fiber requirement for an adult.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Strawberries are also among the foods that often have the highest pesticide residues.
Some phenols in the fruit can inhibit the activity of an enzyme known as cyclo-oxygenase, or COX. This enzyme has been shown to be one of the factors causing arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma. Medications for these conditions can cause intestinal bleeding; however, consuming strawberries is completely safe and has similar effects.
Diabetes Prevention
Strawberries also help prevent type-2 diabetes. According to American scientists, strawberries are a highly beneficial food for diabetics because they have a low glycemic index and are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber.
In addition, the anthocyanins found in strawberries can help improve insulin resistance, a risk factor for heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
However…
A word of caution: strawberries are also a common food that can cause allergic reactions ranging from mild to life-threatening.
Strawberries are among the foods that often have the highest pesticide residues. Individuals with kidney or gallbladder issues should avoid eating strawberries, as this fruit contains oxalates—a chemical often found in foods that the body has difficulty digesting.
Consuming too many strawberries can lead to crystallization of substances in the body and result in health problems. Oxalates also inhibit calcium absorption. If you are taking calcium supplements to combat osteoporosis, it is advisable to eat strawberries 2 to 3 hours before taking calcium.
