Strawberries: Red, Little Berries

Strawberries are sweet, heart-shaped, red berries that symbolize romance when paired with chocolate. Chocolate aside, these sweet berries are delicious fresh on their own! There are some great nutrients found in strawberries that are great for overall health. Keep reading to learn why strawberries can be apart of a healthy diet.

Nutrition Facts

Like most fruits and vegetables, strawberries are 91% water. The high water content that can be found in fruits and vegetables is another reason to increase the fruit and veggie intake. Eating your water is one way to get hydrated (but don’t forget to actually drink water too!).

100g of raw strawberries contains:

Vitamins, Minerals, and Important Plant Compounds

Vitamin and Minerals

There are a lot of good vitamins and minerals in strawberries. In just one strawberry you can find:

• Copper
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Manganese
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin B9 (Folate)
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin K

Eating the necessary vitamins and minerals from whole foods it the best way one can get in their nutrients. That is why it is important to have a colorful diet of! All of the vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds that are found in whole foods support a healthy body that can function and work properly. In turn, taking care of your body means that your body is also able to take care of you.

Plant Compounds

There are some prominent plant compounds that come from strawberries. Pelargonidin is the main anthocyanin in strawberries that is responsible for the berry’s red coloring. Ellagic acid is a polyphenol antioxidant. Ellagitannins gets converted into ellagic acid in the digestive system. Lastly, Procyanidins are the antioxidants that can be found in the seeds of strawberries.

Health Benefits

Heart Health

Strawberries may improve good cholesterol (HDL) and blood pressure within the heart and arteries. They may also be able to decrease oxidative stress, improve blood antioxidant levels, improve vascular function, improve the blood lipid profile, and reduce bad cholesterol (LDL).

Blood Sugar Regulation

Strawberries can be helpful in preventing type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome thanks to the fiber found in the berries. The fiber and carbohydrates found in strawberries can help to slow down the digestion of glucose, reduce insulin spikes, and reduce glucose spikes.

Good for Skin Health and Bone Health

The magnesium found in strawberries is the main contributor for bone health and skin health. Magnesium helps the body produce collagen, of which is important for joints and skin.

Good for Digestion

The fiber found in strawberries is also important for digestion! Check out Fiber: It’s Important to learn more.

Let’s Chat!

Do you have a suggestion for the Monthly Nourishments? What is your favorite fruit? Let me know in the comments down below!