The strawberry, a fruit that features a fragrantly sweet flavor, is the most popular type of berry fruit in the world. While there are more than 600 varieties of strawberries that differ in flavor, size and texture, one can usually identify a strawberry by its red flesh that has yellow seeds piercing its surface, and the small, regal, green leafy cap and stem that adorn its crown. In addition to strawberries that are cultivated, there are also varieties that grow wild. These are much smaller in size, but feature a more intense flavor.
Benefits
Eye Care: The primary reasons for almost all the
problems of eyes are free radicals and deficiency of certain nutrients. With
the growing age and lack of these protective nutrients, the harmful oxidants
or free radicals cast heavy damage on our eyes, such as drying up of eyes,
degeneration of optical nerves, Macular degeneration, vision defects and
make them prone to infections too. The anti oxidants such as vitamin-C,
Flavonoids, Phenolic Phytochemicals and Elagic Acid, present in strawberries
can help avoid this situation to a great extent. One more factor is ocular
pressure, i.e. the pressure of the eyes. Any disturbance in it is also
harmful for the eyes. Here too, strawberries are helpful as they contain
potassium, which help maintain right pressure.
Arthritis and Gout: The degeneration of muscles and
tissues, drying up of the fluid which help mobility of the joints and
accumulation of toxic substances and acids (such as uric acid) in the body
are some of the ill effects of free radicals present in our body, which are
primarily responsible for Arthritis and Gout. Strawberries, with their team
of anti oxidants and detoxifiers, can effectively help push away such health
hazards forever. It is a famous saying in India that a serving of any fruit
a day will remove the rust from the joints. It is very true for
strawberries.
Cancer: Vitamin-C, Folate and Anthocyanin, Quercetin
and Kaempferol (few of the many Flavonoids in strawberries which possess
excellent anti oxidant and anti carcinogenic properties) together form an
excellent team to fight cancer and tumor. A daily intake of strawberries is
seen to have remarkably brought down the growth of cancerous cells.
Brain Function: It is a very common observation that
old people tend to lose their memory and control over their activities,
limbs etc. This is because of aging of their brain and the nervous system.
Actually, the free radicals, the agents very much responsible for aging,
have a very adverse effect on these systems. Due to them, the brain tissues
start degenerating and the nerves get weaker. Strawberries can help you out.
The vitamin-C and the phytochemicals in them neutralize the effect of these
oxidants and also rejuvenate the system. One more thing, strawberries are
rich in iodine too, which is very helpful for proper functioning of the
brain and nervous system.
High Blood Pressure: Strawberries are very good in
potassium and magnesium content, both of which are very effective in
lowering high blood pressure caused by sodium.
Heart Diseases: High fiber, Folate, no fats and high
anti oxidants such as vitamin-C and those phytochemicals (Flavonoids)
together form an ideal cardiac health pack, as they effectively reduce