Properties of strawberries and benefits of including them in our diet

Strawberries are a very appetising, tasty and healthy fruit. They are also a very versatile food.

It can be consumed in many ways and can be used to prepare dishes of any difficulty, from very simple preparations to complex dishes.

But what are the properties of strawberries? Beyond their attractiveness for creating dishes and enjoying their flavour, what are the benefits of eating them?

Below we talk about the properties and benefits of eating this food. 

Strawberries, a tasty and healthy food

Although we usually speak of strawberries in general and indistinctly, in reality there are several species of strawberries, all belonging to the genus Fragaria.

These bright red edible fruits grow on creeping plants. As a curiosity, it is worth mentioning that the strawberry is originally from Europe and it seems that it was first cultivated in France.

Although, due to the different cultivation systems that exist nowadays, strawberries can be eaten at almost any time of the year, they are a spring and summer food. However, it also depends on the variety of strawberry in question.

In any case, it is a food that has always been highly appreciated all over the world, both for its taste and its delicious aroma.

In addition to this, today it is also a food that is highly valued for its properties, which have been discovered over the years.

An excellent source of vitamin C

Although they have always been associated with oranges, strawberries are a great source of vitamin C.

In fact, 150 g of strawberries contain more vitamin C than 225 g of oranges (equivalent to one medium-sized orange).

While the above-mentioned quantity of strawberries contains 86 mg of vitamin C, the 225 g of oranges contain 82 mg of the vitamin.

In addition to vitamin C, strawberries also contain different organic acids (citric, oxalic, malic…) and are rich in flavonoids (specifically anthocyanins), which are what give them their striking colour.

It is worth mentioning that strawberries are also very low in calories and very rich in fibre.

Properties of strawberries

Strawberries are one of the fruits with the highest antioxidant capacity. This is due, in part, to their high vitamin C and flavonoid content, but also to the polyphenols included in their composition.

In any case, this combination of compounds makes strawberries a great ally against cell damage caused by oxidative stress.

On the other hand, vitamin C is involved in the synthesis of collagen, so including strawberries in the diet when we want to boost the natural formation of this protein is a good idea.

In addition, this vitamin also favours the absorption of dietary iron. Therefore, if we are taking a supplement or following a treatment with iron to combat a deficiency, it may be advisable to take it together with strawberries to maximise absorption.

However, it should be noted that vitamin C is very labile and when food is heated, some of it is destroyed. This is especially the case when very high temperatures are used, when food is heated for a long time or several times (reheated dishes).

Therefore, if we want to extract as much vitamin C as possible from strawberries, they should ideally be eaten raw.

Continuing with the properties of strawberries, thanks to its flavonoid content this food also provides benefits such as:

• The enhancement of the heart muscle and the improvement of blood circulation, thanks to the antithrombotic properties of flavonoids.
• Prevention of atherosclerosis, as it helps to lower triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations in the blood.
• A reduction in capillary fragility.
• Reduced risk of cancer, due to its antioxidant role.
• Protective paper against damage caused by UV rays and environmental pollution.
• Neuroprotective effect with the ability to prevent the occurrence of degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s.
• In addition, flavonoids also play a protective role against osteoporosis, so eating strawberries can help prevent the occurrence of osteoporosis and maintain optimal bone health.

As if all this were not enough, its high fibre content helps to regulate intestinal transit and its low calorie content make it a perfect food if we need to lose weight or as a healthy snack.

For example, a strawberry and banana smoothie, prepared with plant-based milk, can be a great option for a healthy snack, as part of breakfast or as a snack at any time of the day.

If we add a scoop of Living Silica Hydrolyzed Collagen Peptides to this tasty shake, we will be providing our body with extra vitamin C, in addition to the properties and benefits of this supplement. As you can see, strawberries are a food with very beneficial properties for our health. For this reason, and because they are really tasty, we encourage you to include them in your regular diet.