The Sweet, Juicy Health Benefits of Strawberries

What is red, juicy, sweet, and looks like a tiny heart? You guessed it right! Strawberries are lovely as they’re delicious and they have many health benefits! Strawberries may very well be the only food that tastes dietetically desert but nutritionally superhero. Few fruits offer more taste for less nutrition than strawberries. For more nutrient-rich fruit benefits, visit Pineapple Health Benefits.

Therefore, sit back, choose yourself a bowl of these ruby red beauties, and let’s dive into the reason why strawberries are nature’s sweet gift to your health.

Strawberries: Nutritional Information (1 cup)

1. Low in Calories, Big on Benefits

Let’s start with the basics. In 1 cup of strawberries, there are about 50 calories. That’s less than a slice of bread’s worth. But those tiny cups are packed with vitamins, fiber, antioxidants, and flavor. Apart from adding loads of calories to your food, they don’t have any nutritional value, and you can snack on them all day without worry. It does not take much for them, just a tiny bit of effort for a major payoff. You can check how these calories fit into your daily needs using this BMI calculator.

In addition, they are fat free, sodium free, and cholesterol free. It’s just nature’s way of saying, “Eat me, I’m great!”

2. Vitamin C Powerhouse

Strawberries are rich in vitamin C. An orange doesn’t have more vitamin C than just eight strawberries! A handful of berries contains enough to be your whole daily requirement. 

Vitamin C has a reputation for being used to prevent and reduce colds, but that is not its only use. It helps builc strong skin and tissues, heal wounds and boost immune system. Vitamin C helps your body glow from the inside out. Strawberries are a sure thing that you get with a smile.

3. Antioxidants 

You’ve heard the word ‘antioxidant’, but what do they do?

Antioxidants fight free radicals. They are unstable molecules that can destroy your cells, leading subsequently to aging, cancer, and other health issues. Antioxidants can be thought of as tiny bouncers; they double up by ejecting trouble-makers before they can behave.

4. Good for Your Heart 

Tiny hearts, strawberries were, and it seems that wasn’t a cute coincidence. There is evidence that strawberries can help keep your heart healthy. Good sources of anthocyanins and flavonoids, strawberries have been linked to a reduction in stress in the cells and inflammation in the body’s arteries. Daily inclusion in the diet has shown a drop in bad cholesterol and better ability for the heart to regulate blood pressure. According to Harvard, eating strawberries at least three times a week may reduce a woman’s risk of having a heart attack by 34%.

5. Fiber

On top of being delicious, strawberries are a solid source of dietary fiber. The fiber content of one cup of strawberries is about 3 grams. According to NIH, strawberries are on the list of the top 10 foods with higher fiber content. That helps keep your digestion regular and prevents constipation. It also lowers blood sugar spikes and makes you feel full longer. 

6. Great for Skin 

If you want to have glowing skin at a fraction of the cost of face masks, then read on. Try strawberries. Strawberries also contain vitamin C and antioxidants that lead to the production of collagen, a protein responsible for firm and smooth skin.

Strawberries can help fight wrinkles and reduce sun damage. It keeps skin soft and hydrated, and strawberries are also mashed in some cases to make DIY face masks. 

7. Helps Regulate Blood Sugar

Although they are sweet, strawberries are low on the glycemic index. This means that they won’t disrupt your blood sugar on a roller coaster ride. Conversely, what they do is provide you with a slow but steady increase of energy. A study from the University of Nevada, Los Angeles shows that eating strawberries each day can boost cardiometabolic health without the need for medication.

As such, they are a smart choice for people with diabetes. It is also a solution for anyone wanting to avoid sugar crashes. The fiber also helps to slow down the absorption of the sugar. 

8. Brain-Boosting Berries

Would you like to keep your brain sharp? Grab some strawberries. According to research, the antioxidants in strawberries may help slow cognitive decline and delay it.

As these little fruits have it, they just help you to think faster, remember more, and be sharper while you grow older. 

9. Perfect for Weight Management

They are naturally sweet with very few calories and sugar. Research shows that they are good for those who want to lose or maintain their weight. Strawberries are sweet without any added sugar, and the fiber-rich fruit makes you feel full, preventing overeating. It doesn’t help that healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring, and strawberries are one example.

10. How to Enjoy Strawberries (Without Getting Bored)

There is nothing wrong with eating strawberries straight from the carton and being content with them. If you feel fancy, though, here are some tasty ways to mix it up:

• Strawberry yogurt parfait: Layer strawberries with yogurt and granola.
• Berry smoothie: Blend with banana, spinach, and almond milk.
• Strawberry salad: Toss with spinach, feta, and balsamic glaze.
• Blend and freeze for summer frozen strawberry popsicles.
• Strawberry toast: Try mashed berries on whole–grain toast with almond butter.

You really can’t go wrong. Strawberries feel more at home in boxes, bowls, and bellies than any other fruit does.

12. Fun Strawberry Facts 

Strawberries are not technically berries. True story. Real berries have seeds on the inside 

• About 200; they are the only fruit with seeds on the outside!
• In Roman times, strawberries were used to treat depression, fever, and tonsillitis.
• Belgium has a Strawberry Museum. Yes, it’s real. 
• Consumed by Americans at an average of 3.4 pounds per person per year. 

Conclusion

The strawberries in the produce aisle are no mere pretty faces. Nutrients, low in calories, and fun, they are loaded with. Strawberries are your go-to if you want to benefit your health, are looking to glow up your skin, or are looking to eat a nice sweet snack without feeling guilty.

The next time you see a pint of these heart-shaped gems rolled out in a newspaper, rescue them, wash them, and devour them. All this will be thanks to your body and your taste buds. As in a world surrounded by snacks, be the sweet, juicy, and good one: like a strawberry from Bear Goal.