If you’re looking for another reason (or seven) to add strawberries to your diet, besides their refreshing, sweet and juicy flavor, look no further. Strawberries aren’t just tasty, they’re also packed with health benefits. Here are seven ways snacking on strawberries can give your health a boost.
1. They support a healthy heart
Don’t let their size fool you — strawberries pack quite a nutritious punch. The vitamin C they contain can help reduce oxidative stress related to heart disease, cancer and other serious health issues. They’re also a good source of potassium, a mineral that’s been shown to help protect against heart disease by lowering blood pressure.
2. They help boost immunity
Thanks to their vitamin C content, strawberries are natural immune boosters. The antioxidants they contain can give you a healthy line of defense against illness, especially during cold and flu season. A cup of sliced strawberries a day might just help keep the doctor away.
3. They promote healthy skin
The vitamin C in strawberries can also benefit your skin. The body uses vitamin C to produce collagen — a protein that plays an essential role in skin health. Vitamin C also fights free radicals in the body, which can lead to premature aging.
4. They help protect your brain
Strawberries contain a flavonoid antioxidant compound called fisetin, which has been shown to exert highly neuroprotective benefits. It increases the strength of long-term memory pathways, which may influence memory disorders like Alzheimer’s. The fisetin in strawberries also causes new brain growth, and plays a role in maintaining healthy cognitive function.
5. They can help protect against cancer
Strawberries are loaded with anticancer antioxidants, including ellagic acid, which has been shown to help protect against skin, bladder, lung and esophageal cancer.
6. They promote healthy eyesight
The potent flavonoids and phytochemicals in strawberries help promote healthy eyesight by reducing your risk of age-related macular degeneration and other vision problems. The fruit’s many antioxidants work to scavenge free radicals and prevent them from causing damage.
7. They promote regularity
Strawberries are a healthy source of fiber, which plays an important role in gut and digestive health. Fiber feeds the good bacteria in your gut and slows down the rate at which nutrients are digested. Most people aren’t getting enough fiber — another good reason to add fresh strawberries to your diet.
Whole, sliced or as part of a bigger dish (like this Strawberry Cream Pie Recipe) strawberries are delicious and nutritious. Do you have a favorite healthy recipe you’d like to share? Whether it’s a thirst-quenching beverage, an appetizer, a main dish, soup, a dessert or a healthy smoothie, we’d love to hear about it! Submit your favorite healthy recipe today by filling out the form HERE.