Easy Recipes | Mom Life

Amazing Benefits of Strawberries You Need to Know

This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see my disclosure policies for full details.

It is definitely not a coincidence that strawberries are heart-shaped. These little goodies are packed full of nutrients that are good for your body and your brain. The benefits of strawberries are hard to deny.

I didn’t find my love for strawberries until late in life.  Fresh fruit other than apples, oranges, and maybe bananas weren’t a thing for me growing up. My daughter loves strawberries and I now find myself reaching for them as a snack. I never realized that strawberries had so many health benefits or that there are so many ways to eat strawberries.

strawberries nutrition you need to know

Strawberries Contain Many Amazing Antioxidants

In terms of antioxidants, which can help fight bad cholesterol and carcinogens, strawberries are one of the best sources. There is a high level of concentrated antioxidants in strawberries, helping to make you a healthier individual overall.  Antioxidants have been proven to help in the following areas of your overall health.

  • Keep you from getting ill

Strawberries pack so much Vitamin C. Eight strawberries can pack as much Vitamin C as an orange and makeup about 50% of your recommended daily intake. Vitamin C is a known immunity booster and can help prevent both bacterial and viral infection. A strong immune system, of course, can help to fight off things like the cold and flu.

  • MAY Reduce Your Risk of Cancer

Wait, What???… Cancer?? Hang with me here. Strawberries contain flavonoids which are plant compounds.  Vitamin C, folate, anthocyanins, quercetin, and kaempferol are all examples of flavonoids. While there is obviously no cure for cancer we do know that nutrition plays an important role in reducing your risk of cancer as well as fighting cancer.

  • Avoid High Blood Pressure

Anthocyanin is a powerful antioxidant that gives blueberries and strawberries their vibrant color. It is this same antioxidant that may help to open up blood vessel allowing for a smoother flow of blood through your veins.

  • Avoid High Cholesterol

Many studies have been done on the benefits of strawberries on your cholesterol levels. While some differ on the exact reasons why researchers have seen a reducing in bad cholesterol they all agree that it does. I suspect it has something to do with all those amazing antioxidants found in strawberries.

 

Strawberries Help Burn Fat

If you have been trying to lose weight, you are probably turning to strawberries as a healthy, low-fat snack. Not only do they have this benefit, but they can actually help to burn some of your stored fat. This means not only do they help you lose weight, but can aid you in preventing weight gain when you enter maintenance mode with your weight loss journey. When you are on a diet, replace one of your side dishes at lunch with a cup of berries for a delicious and low-calorie snack.

Improve Brain Function

Strawberries are also excellent at improving your brain function as you get older, which is why man doctors suggest them for seniors. This is also due to the antioxidants in the berry, which can help restore your memories, maintain your current level of fine motor skills, and help with your brain and nervous system. If you are at risk of diseases like Alzheimer’s or dementia, you should definitely be increasing your strawberry intake. One of the easiest ways to do this is to start preparing a breakfast smoothie each morning with yogurt, milk, ice, strawberries, and other fruits. Other berries also contain antioxidants, while fruits like bananas and apples are also very good for you and make a good addition to the smoothie.

Build a stronger immune system

As I mentioned about, not only do the antioxidants in strawberries help you avoid illness and infections, but so does the vitamin C content. Vitamin C is known as an immune system booster, where it can help you stave off illnesses, viruses, and infections. You will notice that when strawberries start becoming a part of your regular diet, you don’t get the seasonal colds like you used to, you rarely get the flu, heart disease, or infections.

Tips for Adding More Strawberries to Your Diet

  • Have a Smoothie

Seriously one of the easiest ways to incorporate more strawberries into your diet is to make a fresh smoothie.  There is no shortage of smoothie recipes out there. We have collected some amazing recipes here and here.

  • Eat them in a Salad

Y’all!! Seriously, strawberries are sooo good in a salad. I did not discover this until well into my 30s.  You might be laughing but I really wasn’t exposed to a wide arrange of food growing up. This limited palette continued into my adulthood.  This is why it was so important for me to get my daughter started on the right foot with her eating.

  • Train Your Brain

Easier said than done but you train your brain to reach for s few strawberries as a snack instead of just about anything else. I buy strawberries in bulk but I have to be diligent that we eat them because they do tend to turn bad quick.

8 Strawberries a Day Keep the Doctor Away

Just eight strawberries carry as much Vitamin C as an orange. Combine this with all the other antioxidants and nutrients and you truly have a superfood in strawberries. So have a cup of strawberries with your morning yogurt or simply grab a few when you’re looking for a healthy snack.

 

Check Out

20+ Mouth-Watering Strawberry Breakfast Ideas

 

Did you learn something new about strawberries?  Do you have an awesome way you enjoy strawberries?  Please share in the comments.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *