Delicious in taste, low in calories and rich in vitamin C, strawberries are the undisputed star of red fruits. In addition, the benefits of strawberries for the joints, digestion, eyes, cholesterol or weight loss make them perfect allies for maintaining good health.
Along with raspberries, blackberries, red currants, blueberries, blackcurrants, elderberries, cherries or bilberries, strawberries are among the Red fruits. It is the fruit of the strawberry plant available from May to September. Slightly sweet and sour, it is most often eaten raw or in the form of jam.
Learn more about strawberries
The Gariguette, Mara des Bois or Charlotte varieties are not only delicious, they are also excellent for health. The benefits of strawberries are numerous, you will see it.
Strawberries do not ripen after picking, hence the importance of buying them right, unless you want to make jams because the pectin level allowing good gelation decreases with maturation.
Strawberries began to grow in the wild in the Neolithic Age, in America, Asia and Europe. In France, she began her career in vegetable gardens from the Middle Ages. The gardener Jean-Baptiste de La Quintinie, gardener to Louis XIV, cultivated it in the royal gardens. It was in the 18th century that larger-volume hybrid varieties appeared.
What do we find in strawberries?
Strawberries are not very sweet and not very energetic (35 kcal per 100 g on average). It contains 60 mg of vitamin C per 100 g, it is therefore an interesting source especially as its low caloric level allows to consume a portion of 250 g without excess.
The flavonoids are the main phenolic compounds, antioxidants, present in the strawberry and they are responsible for its red color.
Even if it is less rich than the raspberry, the strawberry contains ellagic acid, a phenolic compound of the tannin family also known for its antioxidant properties.
Small, dry grains on the surface are called achenes and are often the cause of allergic reactions. Indeed, the strawberry is one of the “histamine-liberating” foods to watch out for in people with allergies. In some people, achenes can also irritate the gut.
The benefits of strawberries
The benefits of strawberries are legion, we have noted its most notable virtues:
- Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C. It contains more vitamin C than an orange (60 mg / 100 g), or more than 50% of the recommended daily intake.
- Strawberries are rich in fiber : 100 g of strawberries contain 2.2 g of fiber, or between 10 and 15?% Of daily requirements (depending on body size).
- Strawberries have action against wrinkles : they contain ellagic acid which prevents the destruction of collagen (a substance favorable to the elasticity of the epidermis) and the inflammatory effect, two major factors in the development of wrinkles.
- Strawberries are a good source of folic acid and potassium : 100 g of strawberries contain 60 µg of folic acid, or 20% of the recommended daily intake, and 150 mg of potassium.
- The strawberry preserves the joints : Antioxidants in strawberries may help reduce joint inflammation, possible source of arthritis and heart disease.
- Strawberry protects the eyes : the antioxidant properties of strawberries make it possible to fight against the formation of cataracts, a progressive opacity of the lens of the eye.
- Strawberries are laxative and diuretic : the fibers contained in strawberries are necessary for good digestion. This fruit therefore helps to fight against constipation or inflammation of the intestine.
- Strawberry helps fight bad cholesterol. It has antioxidant effects, neutralizes bad blood cholesterol and has an anti-inflammatory effect which is good for the heart.
- Strawberries are a great slimming ally : low in calories, strawberries are rich in nutrients and are fat-burning fruits.
- Strawberries are good for the skin : the vitamin C they contain would help the body to fight against skin aging. In addition, these fruits are very rich in beta-carotene, an element that helps the skin prepare for sun exposure.
How to enjoy the health benefits of strawberries ?
- To keep your strawberries, do not leave them in the trays. Spread them out on absorbent paper in a deep dish and cover them with a clean tea towel.
- Strawberries can be preserved in the refrigerator for a maximum of 2 days, whole and unhulled. Remember to take them out 20 minutes before eating them.
- Wash the strawberries before hulling and cutting them. They will thus keep all their flavors and vitamins.
- To stem a strawberry, pierce it right through using a plastic straw quite rigid. You will get a hulled and intact strawberry.
