In some areas strawberries are already in season, for others it is days or weeks away. Strawberries are not only a sign of summer, they can help improve your memory, boost your immune system, and keep your heart healthy.
Strawberries give you a lot of nutritional value for little calories. Strawberries are loaded with vitamin C. Eight medium strawberries contain 160% of your daily recommended amount. That’s more than what you get from an orange.
Strawberries are also packed with antioxidants which protect cells from damage. The primary antioxidant in strawberries is linked to its red colour. The redder the strawberries the more antioxidants.
Strawberries also have fibre and other vitamins and minerals such as manganese, potassium, and folic acid. Strawberries also have less natural sugar than many other fruits including apples and bananas.
Eating strawberries can help protect your brain’s processing powers thanks to its antioxidant content. In one study, the Nurses’ Health Study, found that the more blueberries and strawberries you ate the less cognitive decline you experienced. The results of another study, the Rush Memory and Aging project showed that people who ate strawberries were 34% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.
Strawberries are a great source of vitamin C which plays an important role in wound healing and prevention of respiratory and systemic infections. Vitamin C is also an anti-inflammatory which can lower your stress response that is triggered by illness or your overly busy life.
Research has shown that eating a few strawberries each day can help prevent several conditions that lead to heart disease and stroke as well as diabetes.
Want some healthy strawberry recipes? Check these out:
Strawberry Smoothie: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/recipe-creamy-strawberry-greens-smoothie/
Strawberry Pretzel Squares (healthier): https://health.clevelandclinic.org/recipe-strawberry-pretzel-squares/
Strawberry Cream Cheese Oatmeal Cakes: https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/8012987/breakfast-strawberry-cream-cheese-oatmeal-cakes/
Strawberry Spinach Salad: https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/270668/spinach-strawberry-salad-with-feta-walnuts/
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-strawberries/
