Good and Good for You -- Strawberries

Continuing with our February Superfood love fest, this week let’s look at that lush delicious treat known as strawberry.

STRAWBERRY

Strawberries, which share family ties with the rose (Rosaceae), aren’t even really a true fruit (true fruit = seed surrounded by flesh) because their seeds (about 200 of them) are on the outside of the flesh. But when something tastes this good, why trifle with technicalities.

Strawberries go really well with wine and champagne, and as a duo are considered to have aphrodisiac qualities.  But besides their total tastiness, they have many health benefits too.

In ancient Rome, strawberries were used for medicinal purposes such as alleviating symptoms of kidney stones, inflammation, diseases of the blood, throat infections, bad breath, attacks of gout, and fever. In the Middle Ages, an infusion of strawberry leaves was used (and still is) to treat diarrhea.

These days:

Ÿ Strawberries are recognized as having more vitamin C than some citrus fruits.

Ÿ They are also high in fiber, folate, potassium and antioxidants, making them a natural means of reducing the chances of heart disease, high blood pressure and certain cancers.

Ÿ Strawberries contains zeaxanthin which is good for eye health. Studies have found that one can reduce the risk of developing Macular Degeneration (by 36%!) by eating at least 1-1/2 servings of fruits daily so for the sake of your eyes, throw some more strawberries in your diet!

Ÿ They promote iron absorption in the body.

Ÿ One cup of strawberries (8 oz.) is only 55 calories AND contains 140% of the recommended daily dose of vitamin C.

Ÿ Strawberries are packed with flavonoids, two of which types help keep bad (LDL) cholesterol from oxidizing and damaging artery walls.

Ÿ They also contain ellagic acid which binds cancer-causing chemicals making them inactive.

When you buy strawberries make sure that they’re loose-packed. Strawberries are very delicate and easily damaged. Make sure to pull any bad strawberries out before storing because in this case one bad “apple” will spoil the whole barrel.

You want to choose strawberries that are plump and shiny and deep red. Unlike some other fruits, strawberries don’t continue to ripen after you bring them home, so avoid the unripe ones (ones that are discolored or white).