FIVE WAYS WITH... STRAWBERRIES

HOW to get the most nutrients out of food. ADD THEM TO CHAMPAGNE JELLY: Combining strawberries with alcohol boosts their antioxidant properties, according to the U. S. Department of Agriculture. EAT THEM WITH OTHER BERRIES: Mixing st rawberries with blackberries, blueberries and raspberries provides significantly more cardiovascular benefits than eating them on their own.

This is because you will consume more phytochemicals — compounds found in plants and partly responsible for the colour of berries — that keep arteries healthy.

MAKE STRAWBERRY GUACAMOLE: Whizz a few fresh strawberries with avocado, lime juice and coriander. The vitamin C in the strawberries and the vitamin E in the avocados combine to protect the body against molecules called free radicals that can damage cells. EAT THEM FULLY RIPE: The amount of anthocyanins — antioxidants that have been linked to better cognitive function and a lower risk of heart disease — in strawberries increases by 30 per cent when they turn from pale to fully red. MAKE A SALAD: Add strawberries to a stilton and rocket salad, which is a rich source of the B vitamin folic acid. A lack of folic acid can lead to anaemia, particularly in older people.