Do strawberries just seem like that surprisingly common item that you walk past while doing your food shopping? There are actually so many health benefits and uses for this wonderful fruit if you stop and think about it. Read on to discover the Top 5 Health Benefits of Strawberries!
1. Helps maintain healthy blood pressure
Strawberries have a high potassium and magnesium content, which both help with the maintenance of blood pressure. Magnesium helps by reducing systolic blood pressure, easing the blood flow around the body while potassium reduces the rigidity of artery walls and blood vessels, helping the cardiovascular system work to its full capacity.
2. Immunity booster
Because of their high vitamin C content, they have been proven to boost the body’s immune system when consumed daily. Vitamin C is an antioxidant, which helps neutralize any free radicals and actively fights infections in the body. Just a handful of strawberries contain about 15o% of your of vitamin C RDA.
3. Brain function
Strawberries have been proven to support brain function. They are rich in iodine which helps regulate the operations of the nervous system and brain. Strawberries have also been found to have a high potassium content. This helps maintain cognitive function and retain a sharp mind by increasing blood flow to the brain. This explains why strawberries are considered as ‘brain food’!
4. Lowers risk of arthritis
Due to their high antioxidant content, strawberries have been proven to prevent the degeneration of muscle tissue and the drying up of extracellular fluid that aids the mobility of the joints. As we age, we start to lose flexibility in our joints, making us less able to do the exercises that we used to love to do freely; another excellent reason to consume them on a regular basis.
5. Heart disease prevention
The best for last fact, strawberries is a heart health food (is nature trying to tell us something with its shape and colour? maybe!) this is due to its high folate, fibre and vitamin C content as they actively help reduce the amount of cholesterol in the bloodstream and the arteries. Since strawberries are also a good source of vitamins B1 and B2, they can help regulate the healthy function of the heart.
Strawberries are readily available throughout the year and can be bought in a range of supermarkets and farmer’s markets. You can also find them as teas, juices, smoothies and dried forms making it fantastic for snacking. They can be added to your breakfast, your cheat day dessert with some cool delicious quark (zero fat cheese) or just on their own as a lively, fruity snack. If you’re so inclined, you might even be inspired to buy a plant and grow them in your garden…Got a fave use or recipe for strawberries? Tell us below or @KeepfitKingdom !
