The benefits of strawberries go beyond just their delicious taste, as they contain antioxidants like vitamin C as well as essential nutrients like fibre and folic acid.
In a report published in Al-Arabiya, experts have advised caution when adding strawberry fruit to the diet for the following reasons:
1. Antioxidants
Antioxidants are molecules found in the body and in plant foods that fight oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress occurs when the body has more free radicals but fewer antioxidants to scavenge them.
Antioxidants also help reduce the risk of chronic disease over time by reducing oxidative stress and tissue damage.
Strawberries contain many antioxidants. These antioxidants include anthocyanins and vitamin C.
2. Strengthening the immune system
Just one cup of strawberries provides 100 percent of the body’s daily requirement for vitamin C, which supports immune system cells.
Research shows that vitamin C promotes the growth of both C- and B-cells. These are white blood cells that help fight disease-causing viruses, bacteria, and cancer.
3. Improved heart health
A scientific study reported an inverse relationship between anthocyanin consumption and the risk of heart attack in young and middle-aged women.
The results showed that women who ate three strawberries a week had a significantly lower risk of heart attack than women who ate the least amount of fruit.
4. Prevention of cancer
The high level of antioxidants in strawberries helps reduce the risk of cancer.
Researchers suggest that the natural antioxidants in strawberry fruit can reduce inflammation caused by cancer and prevent the spread of cancer cells in the body.
5. DNA synthesis
Strawberries are a good source of folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, which is essential for vital reactions in the human body.
It involves the synthesis of DNA and the breakdown of amino acids. These are the building blocks of proteins. Vitamin B9 is also important for healthy neural tube development during early pregnancy.
It is therefore one of the most important nutrients in prenatal vitamins. Just one cup of strawberries provides about 10 percent of your daily folic acid needs.
6. Natural sugars
Compared to other fruits, strawberries contain a relatively low percentage of the natural sugar fructose. For example, one cup of grapes can contain 23 grammes of natural sugars, and one cup of strawberries provides about 7 grammes of natural sugars.
So if a person wants to reduce sugar intake due to a medical condition such as insulin resistance, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, or type 2 diabetes, a low-sugar fruit like strawberries can be a useful option.
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