An apple a day? Strawberries are far more likely to keep the doctor away...
By volschenkh
@volschenkh (1043)
South Africa
January 3, 2007 6:59am CST
I thought Id share this GOOD news with you about the wonderful health benefits of strawberries.
Strawberries are considered the perfect fruit. In addition to being an essential food if you're watching your body weight (they have minute amount of sugar, no fat and are low glycemic index, GI) they provide numerous benefits, from increasing energy levels to slowing down the signs of ageing. Five strawberries have more antioxidants than 4 bananas. Wow!!! They also can help preventing cancer, colds, hayfever and asthma and are notorious to be an aphrodisiac and to help with hangovers.
Strawberries are a tasty source of vitamin C (ascorbic acid). One cup of fresh strawberries provides about 88 mg of ascorbic acid, which is much more than the Recommended Daily Dietary allowance of 45 milligrams for the average adult. Strawberries are also one of the few sources, along with grapes and cherries, of ellagic acid, a compound which has been shown to prevent carcinogens (cancer causing chemicals) from changing healthy cells into tumour cells.
7 people like this
35 responses
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
3 Jan 07
That is great news. I love strawberries but I don't know if it is just me or if it is region I live in but I have noticed that the strawberries this year are less sweet than previous years.
3 people like this
@volschenkh (1043)
• South Africa
3 Jan 07
I dont think its has anything to do with the region, I'm suspecting that the farmer possibly decided to plant a different variety thats less sweet this year. South African strawberries are also showing these differences, with the biggest producers selling the less sweet varieties.
2 people like this
@cloudwatcher (6861)
• Australia
4 Jan 07
I love strawberries too, but I've read that the healthiest and most beneficial fruit is cranberries.
I like cranberries, but can't get them fresh here.
3 people like this
@kgwat70 (13387)
• United States
4 Jan 07
I have never heard of strawberries as being the perfect fruit but that is music to my ears since I am atrawberry lover, whether just plain strawberries or strawberry ice cream or milkshake or anything else with strawberries in it. That is an amazing statistic compared to bananas. I just may have to switch my habits. Thank you for this information. I will be eating strawberries even more as well as bananas and apples.
2 people like this
@shirgie (230)
• United States
4 Jan 07
I love strawberries but my urologist said not to eat many because they contribute to kidney stones in my case. So if you are prone to getting kidney stones as I am, you might want to reconsider eating too many strawberries. Rhubarb is another on the no no list but I don't have a big problem with that. I think the only thing on the list that was a problem to give up was the strawberries. I love em and haven't totally given them up. I just don't sit and eat a quart at a time now.
@flares (15)
• Canada
4 Jan 07
I've always liked strawberries, and have preferred them over other fruit.
The only concern I have is their size. When you pick them, they are pretty small and natural. However, if you buy them from a grocery store, then they are usually huge and a lot bigger. My science teacher has told me it has to do with the chemicals they use in order to make them weigh more, so that they can sell more. I don't think that part of it is healthy, so I am still not sure whether or not they are too healthy. But then again, even with apples, there is still the pesticide use, etc.
2 people like this
@KrauseHome (36447)
• United States
5 Jan 07
Interesting News tips here. One I am sure everyone can benefit from. Thanks for sharing this with us.
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
6 Jan 07
Apricots are the best.
The unique mix of compounds found in apricots makes this fruit a good choice for helping to fight heart disease. Along with beta-carotene, apricots contain the other powerful anti-oxidants, Vitamin C and lycopene. Combined, these compounds help protect against cancer, heart disease and stroke.
@greengal (4286)
• United States
3 Jan 07
Wow!!This is definitely music to my ears. My favourite fruit and good too..it couldn't get better than this. Most of my favourite foods are always on the "no no" list, but strawberries..yummm..thanks for the info..now I have more reasons to eat strawberries!
2 people like this
@lauriefnp (5109)
• United States
5 Jan 07
Thanks for the great information! I thought that blueberries were about the "perfect" fruit, but it sounds as if strawberries have more benefit. We can't get fresh berries here this time of year, but we can get some beautiful frozen ones, which I would think would have almost the same health benefits. A bowl of berries is a good snack at night, if you have to have something before going to bed. I assume that dipped in chocolate would be no good!!!
@patootie (3592)
•
4 Jan 07
Yes I have heard some of this about strawberries before .. but sadly I too have a skin allergy to strawberries ... it's a shame because I actually like strawberry flavoured things which I can eat just so long as it's strawberry flavoutring and not real strawberries ...
1 person likes this
@kris182_2000 (5469)
• Canada
4 Jan 07
Unfortunately I grew out of liking strawberries. Actually to most fruits now.
Any veggie tips would be appreciated though. I have no problem with most of them.
2 people like this
@ronita34 (3922)
• Canada
28 Jan 07
Wow!!!! What wonderful information to share, i just found out that i have asthma and this is great to know. I for one also love the taste of Strawberries and the kids love them too!! I might think of bringing more into all of our diets after reading this though!!!
1 person likes this
@yarntales (639)
• United States
4 Jan 07
I love strawberries... and blueberries, and raspberries too.
And peaches... and blackberries.
I should live on a farm!
@parassiniprashob (479)
• India
4 Jan 07
it was a great topic i really liked to reply for your post, happy myloting
1 person likes this
@esparra (62)
• United States
4 Jan 07
Thanks for the medical information!! I love finding out about new ways to get my body healthier since that's one of my resolutions this year!!!
Im wondering...
Does eating strawberries with sugar limit the benefits you get from them?
Thats how I've always eaten my strawberries by dipping them in a little sugar!!
1 person likes this
