13 Health Benefits of Strawberries: Why You Should Eat More Strawberries

Taken from Lady Iron Chef

 

Written by Melody Yap

http://www.ladyironchef.com/2015/02/strawberries-health-benefits/

Here are some of the various benefits of strawberries, and we’d strongly encourage you to incorporate this fruit into your lives! Also, we’ve included a fun fact about the fruit that you probably didn’t know about!

#1 WHITENS TEETH

You would be surprised, but yes, eating strawberries often helps in creating that perfect smile with pearly whites. We heard pageant queens rub their teeth with strawberries before they hit the runways!

#2 BOOSTS IMMUNITY

Strawberries are excellent source of Vitamin C. Needless to say, this boosts your immunity and helps your body fight infection. One serving of strawberries is said to contain so much Vitamin C that it meets half of your daily requirement.

#3 PREVENTS WRINKLES

And because it is so rich in Vitamin C, it promotes collagen production – which is vital to keep wrinkles at bay.

#4 PROMOTES EYE HEALTH

Rich in antioxidants, strawberries also prevents cataracts – the clouding over the eye lens, which can lead to blindness.

#5 FIGHTS AGING

Its antioxidants capacity protects the elastic fibre in our skins to prevent sagging. Also, strawberries are filled with Vitamin H which helps in building strong hair and nails.

#6 BOOSTS FIBRE

Fibre is essential for digestion, and every strawberry contains 2g of fibre. Regular consumption of strawberries will help prevent constipation and diverticulitis – the inflammation of intestines. Having sufficient fibre also helps in lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes as it helps slow down the absorption of sugars.

#7 PREVENTS CANCER

Something called the ‘ellagic acid’ is said to lower the risk of cancer, and strawberries contain a good amount of this acid to suppress cancer cell growth.

#8 BOOSTS SHORT-TERM MEMORY

We will spare you from the science lesson, but just this point alone should be sufficient to make you want to eat strawberries, yes?

#9 REDUCES INFLAMMATION

Harvard School of Public Health did a study, and it shows that women who eat 16 or more strawberries in a week are 14% less likely to have elevated levels of C-reactive Protein (CRP) – a signal of body inflammation.

#10 PROMOTES PRE-NATAL HEALTH

Strawberries are prized for their high density of folate – a B-vitamin that is recommended for pregnant women and women who are trying to conceive. It is an essential nutrient for women at the early stages of their pregnancies, to boost the baby’s development and to prevent birth defects.

#11 LOW IN CALORIES

Perfect snack, we’d say! Only 54 calories per cup, this is just about your best bet when you are feeling hungry, or when you need a midday munch. If you are on a strict diet to slim down, you know what to grab from the fridge – not chocolate bars, but strawberries.

#12 REGULATES BLOOD PRESSURE

Known as the silent killer because it has no symptoms, high blood pressure can result in a stroke and even death. Strawberries are vital for your heart health because they are high in potassium, and a single serving can maintain normal blood pressure levels.

#13 PROMOTES BONE HEALTH

And not forgetting that strawberries also contain potassium, Vitamin K and magnesium that promotes healthy bones.

Bonus fun fact: Strawberries actually belong to the rose family, together with apples and plums!

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