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8 Real Reasons To Adore Strawberries Even More!
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Strawberries are among the top ten of most loved fruits in the world – and the number one berry. Funny enough, strawberries are not even berries proper. The strawberry fruit is actually what’s known as an aggregate accessory fruit, which means that the flesh part of the strawberry doesn’t come from the ovaries of the plant. Instead, each of the seeds that is seen on the outside of the strawberry (another strange fact since most fruits have seeds inside) is from one of the ovaries of the flower.
These strange facts that classify strawberries in another class completely apart from berries do not mean that strawberries are any less beneficial to your health. In fact, strawberries are some of the best fruits to eat during the summer season when they are usually ripening. The heart shape of strawberries gives away one of its benefits: It promotes heart health, as well as strawberries are also quite useful against cancer, for eyes, as an anti-aging element, to boost immunity, promote weight loss and many others.
Strawberries are so good for you because they are packed with vitamins and minerals and plenty of antioxidants. They are among the top twenty fruits with antioxidant capacity and are fat-free, sodium-free, cholesterol-free, and a low-calorie food. If that isn’t enough to get you started on eating strawberries, then read on for a round-up of some of the most potent benefits of strawberries.
1. Heart Health
One of the most well-known benefits of strawberries is their ability to promote heart health. Thanks to the many antioxidants contained within the strawberry, including catechin and quercetin, strawberries pack a big punch when it comes to keeping the heart running smoothly. Strawberries help in other ways, like lowering cholesterol which keeps cardiovascular diseases at bay and relaxing the blood vessels and improving the blood flow. Lots of fiber, Vitamin C and folate also bind together in strawberries to give the heart a boost.
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2. Anti-Aging and Skin Care
Strawberries contain a high amount of salicylic acid and AHA, both of which help to improve the appearance of the skin by dulling the appearance of scars, acne, and hyperpigmentation and by exfoliating the skin. Vitamin C in the strawberries also helps to boost the production of collagen which is not only instrumental to skin care but also to keeping your skin looking young. Some studies have even shown that strawberry extract can help protect the skin against ultraviolet radiation.
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3. Eye Care
The high levels of antioxidants in strawberries are also helpful in protecting the eyes. Free radical damage is drastically reduced when antioxidants are present in the diet. Eye conditions such as dry eye, optic nerve degeneration, vision defects and eye infections can be avoided with a good amount of antioxidants present. Adding strawberries to your diet to get your antioxidants is one easy way to do this and they can be eaten raw and by themselves or added to a large range of dishes. Strawberries can also benefit under eye circles – simply cut up strawberries into slices and place on eyes to treat dark circles.
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4. Cancer Prevention
Antioxidants once again are the reason that strawberries have such potent cancer-fighting abilities. Daily intake of strawberries has been shown to have a drastic effect on the metastasis of cancer cells and freeze-dried strawberry powder seems to help prevent esophageal cancer in particular. Strawberries are also full of Vitamin C. One serving of strawberries has 150% of the daily recommended value and another component that helps keep the immune system running well and able to fight off diseases and body problems such as cancer.
5. Brain Function Improvement
Apart from Vitamin C, which has already been mentioned, strawberries are high in iodine and phytochemicals which are also beneficial to the nervous system. The potassium levels in strawberries have also been linked to improved cognition because this element helps to increase the blood flow to the brain. One study in women has even shown that eating berries high in flavonoids, such as blueberries and strawberries, helped to slow the progression of cognitive decline. The antioxidants in strawberries also help to prevent against brain problems such as stroke.
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6. Reduction of Inflammation and Associated Pain
Strawberries help to reduce the levels of C-reactive protein in the blood, a substance produced by the liver that induces inflammation. Reduction in inflammation can also be helpful in those with arthritis inflammation and pain as chemicals present in strawberries target specific reactions that lead to arthritis pain. The degeneration of muscles and tissues and drying up of fluids in the joints can be prevented by the antioxidants in strawberries. These actions can also help to reduce the inflammation associated with arthritis.
7. Weight Loss
Strawberries help to boost the production of two fat-burning hormones, leptin and adiponectin. Leptin helps to regulate the fat storage in the body – fat cells trigger this hormone and it is commonly called the “starvation hormone” because the levels of leptin decrease when someone restricts their calorie intake or food altogether. Increased levels of leptin signal the body to suppress the appetite and burn the fat stored in the body. Adiponectin regulates a few metabolic processes itself and is also produced by fat cells. Many studies have found that the higher the body mass index of a person, the lower the levels of adiponectin in the body. The vitamins and minerals contained within strawberries help to regulate both of these hormones and therefore help with weight balance.
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8. Hair Health
Strawberries contain not only antioxidants, but also ellagic acid and other vitamins that help to promote hair health. Hair loss, moisture in the hair, and dandruff prevention are all issues that can be helped with strawberries. Eating them can help your body from the inside, but strawberries can also be beneficial when applied directly to the hair. Create a hair mask by crushing a few strawberries and mixing them with yogurt. Leaving the mask on for 10-15 minutes and then shampooing as usual can help make your hair shine and be full of life again.
Strawberries might be everyone’s favorite fruit, and for good reason. Not only are they delicious and easy to eat, but they have a whole host of benefits for our bodies. Strawberries are beneficial to our hearts, eyes, brains, weight loss, hair, preventing cancer, and reducing inflammation. Start incorporating strawberries into your diet and adding them to foods to get the full advantage of the benefits that strawberries have.
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