Sweet treats which we enjoy on special occasions and celebrations!

When we think of strawberries, we generally associate them with desserts. The truth is that these small, sweet, and delicious berries are nutritional powerhouses and do the human body a world of good. The strawberries that we know and love today are hybrids of wild strawberries found in Chile and North America. The plump, juicy, sweet, and red strawberries we find on grocery store shelves, known as Fragaria Ananassa, originated in Europe way back in the 18th century.

Good news, these juicy red powerhouses make a great snack. Despite being very sweet, strawberries have a low glycaemic index and are much lower in naturally occurring fructose sugars than many other fruits out there.

What is it about strawberries that makes them so nutritious and beneficial from a health perspective?

Let’s find out, shall we?

Before we take a look at the main health benefits of strawberries, we’re going to look at some of the critical nutritional info of these juicy sweet treats.

Strawberries are rich in vitamin C

Vitamin C is a vitamin that plays a vital role in the strengthening of the immune system. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect the cells, boost immunity, and improve skin health.

Great source of Folate

Folate, or vitamin B9, is another vitamin found in strawberries. Folate plays a crucial role in cellular health and function and helps boost metabolism and ensure it works as it should.

Heaps of Potassium

Potassium is found in strawberries in large doses, and it too plays numerous roles in our health and wellbeing. In particular, potassium helps to regulate our blood pressure which in turn makes it heart-healthy

Key health benefits of strawberries

Low in sugars

People often assume that strawberries are going to be sugary because they’re so sweet and fragrant. In truth, strawberries are low in fructose sugars because of their high water content, making them a great hydration source.

They have a GI score of below 40, which is considered relatively low compared with other fruits. The lower the glycaemic index (GI), the better for the body, in most cases. It is unhealthy to consume so much sugar.

Boost the immune system

Strawberries contain vitamins, including vitamin C like we previously looked at, and they are among the most beneficial fruits when it comes to immunity.

Your immune system is your body’s natural defense mechanism against illness and disease, the stronger your immune system is, the healthier you will likely be.

Reduce inflammation

Strawberries contain active compounds which provide anti-inflammatory benefits to those who consume them.

The anti-inflammatories found in strawberries not only help to ease headaches but can also help to alleviate joint pain and discomfort such as arthritis.

Protect cellular system

Finally, strawberries are a powerhouse for nutrition because they have been found to protect the body’s cellular system.

Strawberries are rich in antioxidants that destroy dangerous free radicals that would ordinarily attack our cells and damage them via oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can lead to cellular degradation, death, and even mutations which could potentially cause diseases such as cancer.

The antioxidants in strawberries protect our cells and prevent free radicals from attacking them and damaging them.

Enjoy strawberries as a sweet summer treat or right off the vine. You can find these delicious powerhouses in the summertime at one of our fabulous local farmer’s markets. Be sure to snap a picture and tag us on Facebook, so we know you’ve read our article and are reaping the benefits of these summertime berries found in our Organic Produce section of this Directory.

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