Eating strawberries is definitely linked to better heart health.
- 34 people with moderate hypercholesterolemia participated in the study.
- Consuming 8 strawberries a day improves vascular function and replenishes vitamin C.
- This fruit contains 140 mg of potassium, 23 mg of phosphorus and 98.9 µg of vitamin B9 per 100 g.
Certain fruits may have cardiometabolic benefits due to their organic chemical compounds. This is the case with strawberries, according to previous research. In a new study, researchers from the Illinois Institute of Technology (USA) wanted to assess the effects of strawberry consumption on heart health and vascular function. For this, they recruited 34 men and women with moderate hypercholesterolemia.
“Participants drank beverages containing freeze-dried strawberry powder or control powder at equal energy and volume twice daily for 4 weeks,” the scientists said. As part of the work, they were interested in the difference in fasting LDL cholesterol after 4 weeks of intervention. The secondary data taken into account were metabolic markers, inflammation and blood pressure.
Improved vascular function 1 hour after eating strawberries
According to the results, presented at the 9th American Conference on the Health Benefits of Berries (BHBS) in Tampa, Florida, vascular function improved one hour after strawberry consumption. “This effect may be related to changes in microbial-derived metabolites after strawberry consumption, influencing endothelial function (the innermost layer of blood vessels)”can we read in the study published in the journal The Journal of Nutrition. The authors estimate that eating 8 strawberries a day fulfills the recommended daily value of vitamin C and provides other nutrients and bioactive compounds.
Strawberry, a fruit rich in minerals
According to the Table of nutritional composition of foods Ciqual, this food, which both adults and children love, is composed of 90.3 g of water per 100 g. It contains 140 mg of potassium and 23 mg of phosphorus. “Potassium plays a fundamental role in nerve transmission, muscle contraction and heart function. It is also involved in insulin secretion, carbohydrate and protein metabolism and acid-base balance. (…) Phosphorus is involved in energy storage and transport, regulation of the body’s acid-base balance and cell signaling, bone and dental mineralization”, reminds thehandles. Strawberries also contain 98.9 µg of vitamin B9 per 100 g. This is essential for cell growth and renewal.
