five reasons to... EAT STRAWBERRIES
1 A RICH SOURCE OF ANTIOXIDANTS
“STRAWBERRIES are a rich and diverse source of antioxidants. However, what’s less well known is that strawberry calyx (the green hull) contains antioxidants too,” says Lily Soutter, a nutritionist speaking on behalf of Seasonal Berries.
“One study, which looked at the fruits and leaves of blackberries, strawberries, and raspberries, found the leaves have a high ORAC value (a measure of the antioxidant capacity of different foods). However, it’s important to note that as leaves become older, the ORAC value decreases, so the leaves of fresh strawberries are likely to provide the highest antioxidant value.”
2 SUPPORT FOR THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
“NOT only is the whole strawberry rich in plant antioxidants, but the red fleshy part is also extremely rich in the antioxidant vitamin C,” says Lily.
“Eating just eight strawberries (80g) can provide up to 115% of your daily vitamin C intake.”
3 THEY MAY HELP WITH BLOOD SUGAR REGULATION
RESEARCH suggests eating strawberries, alongside a carbohydrate-rich meal may help to reduce spikes in blood sugar and insulin levels which can be helpful for preventing metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.
Lily says: “While it’s not clear why strawberries may have this blood sugar balancing effect, some studies have suggested that it may be down to their rich content of polyphenols (antioxidants), which may influence carbohydrate digestion and absorption.”
4 THEY MAY IMPROVE HEART HEALTH
“NUMEROUS studies have found an association between strawberry consumption and improved cardiovascular health,” explains Lily. “It appears their high content of berry anthocyanins may play a role in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, blood pressure, and even improving our cholesterol profile.”
5 THEY CAN HELP WITH WEIGHT MANAGEMENT
“WITH just 6g of sugar and 33 calories per 100g, strawberries can provide a sweet fix while keeping our waistlines trim,” says Lily. “For an indulgent option, try dipping strawberries into antioxidant-rich dark chocolate.”