Everyone knows that strawberries are delicious! However, did you know what a nutritional powerhouse they are? Here are eight reasons to include strawberries in your diet.
Diet: One cup of strawberries contains over 13% of the RDA of dietary ?ber, yet only 43 calories. Strawberries help keep digestion regular, lower blood pressure and curbs overeating.
Antioxidants: Strawberries contain a chemical compound called phenols. It is known that when phenol-rich foods are consumed, the body’s uric acid levels increase, which serves as an antioxidant agent.
Anti-In?ammatory: The phenols in strawberries also ?ght against many in?ammatory disorders, such as osteoarthritis, asthma and atherosclerosis, by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX) in the same way that the drugs aspirin and ibuprofen do. Strawberries, however, do not carry unwanted side effects like stomach and intestinal bleeding.
Anti-Cancer: The combination of antioxidant and anti-in?ammatory agents found in strawberries is well-known to ?ght against the onset of many different forms of cancer. Thanks to the vitamin C, folate, and the ?avonoids quercetin and kaempferol they contain, strawberries are a delicious defense against potentially cancerous cells.
Healthy Eyes: The Archives of Opthalmology recently published a study in which three or more servings of strawberries (and other fruits) per day can decrease the possibility of contracting age-related macular degeneration by over one-third.
The Vigorous Vitamin C: One cup of strawberries contains 136% of the RDA of vitamin C, an antioxidant that can help lower blood pressure, ensure healthy immune systems, and ward off the development of cataracts and macular degeneration.
Magni?cent Manganese: One cup of strawberries contains 21% of manganese, an essential nutrient that acts as a powerful antioxidant and anti-in?ammatory agent. Manganese not only helps to ?ght the battle against free radicals and oxidative stress, but also lessens cellular in?ammation — another cause of numerous cardiovascular diseases.
Bone Health: Manganese is also great for the bones, helping in bone building and maintaining proper bone structure. Potassium, vitamin K, and magnesium in strawberries promote bone health.
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