Why Are Strawberries Good for You?

Strawberries are good for you:

Strawberries contain phytonutrients and antioxidants. The red color of strawberries comes from the anthocyanins it contains. These are powerful antioxidants that help protect cells in your body.
Phenol, which is also found in strawberries, is great for the heart. It helps fight certain cancers and contains anti-inflammatory properties as well.
A substance known as ellagitannin in strawberries may aid in reducing the fatality rate of some cancers. Studies have shown that those who consume more strawberries are less likely to develop certain cancers than those people who eat less or do not have any strawberries at all.

Strawberries and Gout

All the nutrients found in strawberries make them an effective and natural treatment for gout.

Strawberries are also high in vitamin C; there are approximately 59mg of vitamin C per 100g of the fruit. This places the strawberry at the top of the Vitamin C-rich scale. Since strawberries also have high amounts of flavonoids, creating a Vitamin C-to-flavonoids ratio that is good, Vitamin C is better absorbed by the body and its health benefits are better received.

Studies have also shown that vitamin C reduces uric acid levels. Strawberries' anthocyanins, and flavanols thus also help reduce uric acid levels, the reason for gout.

Strawberries and Skin Care

Aside from doing good to your body on the inside, strawberries make great natural cosmetics as well. Strawberries help condition and tone the skin. They contain salicylic acid which is a common ingredient found in many commercial products in the market. This makes strawberries a great component for treatments of acne prone skin. They also lighten skin pigmentation and other skin discolorations while keeping the skin clear and supple.

Strawberry Face Mask

If you want to reap some of the benefits of strawberries on your skin, here’s a recipe for a homemade strawberry face mask. Simply mix half a cup of fresh strawberries with one tablespoon of sour cream.

Apply the mixture to the face and leave the mask on for 20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water. Dry your face then follow up with moisturizer. This can be done weekly to keep skin healthy. Nutrients from the strawberry will tighten your skin, and will hydrate it, restoring its lost moisture.

If sour cream isn’t available, simply cut the fruit in half and rub directly onto your face. Leave it on your face for 15 to 20 minutes and then rinse off with warm water. Follow up with moisturizer.

Teeth Whitening

Strawberries help whiten the teeth as well. Simply rub the fruit against your teeth and leave its juices for as long as you can. The acid in the strawberry will help loosen the plaque.

Eating Strawberries

Since strawberries are naturally sweet, they make healthy snack choices as well. This can help you lose and manage your weight. Strawberries are fat-free, cholesterol-free, and sodium-free. Plus, since they taste absolutely delicious, dieting will never be a bore.

The best strawberries are those that you can pick yourself because, just like any fruit or vegetable, the fresher they are, the more nutrient-packed they are. If you have an abundance of strawberries during the season, they are also easy to save for later. Simply freeze them for future use.

When picking strawberries, choose those which are fully ripe because once you’ve picked them already, they cannot ripen any further. Discard the damaged or mushy ones. Pick those which are vibrant red in color, with a healthy green cap. Do not wash them.

Place them on a paper towel for two to three days before layering them in a tray. Freeze them first before placing them in an air-tight container. Zipper-top bags will also work well. By freezing them, the strawberries should last for a couple of months while it carries all its wonderful nutrients. This gives you a steady supply of healthy strawberries all year round.