In Asian countries, people call strawberry "The Queen of Fruits"
because it's packed with so many health goodness - nutrients essential
to our good health. Bright red, juicy and sweet, you can eat
strawberries as healthy snacks all day long.
They're also chosen as perfect ingredients
for salads, smoothies, bread, cakes and desserts, especially fondues.
Due to their bright, appealing appearance, chefs love to use them as
decorations to enhance the presentation of dishes, making them look more
appetizing to the guests.
How did Strawberry Get Its Name?
It
was believed that the word "strawberry" did not exist until 1538.
During the harvest time, children would pick the fruits and string them
on straws of grass to be sold, thus the fruit was named "strawberry".
Nutrients Found in Strawberries
Strawberries
are the only known fruit to carry their seeds outside, with an average
of 200 seeds per fruit. The leaves and roots of strawberries are claimed
for their medicinal benefits in terms of easing diarrhea, digestive
upsets and gout. You'll find strawberries leaves in blended herbal teas.
The fruit juice is also used to treat sunburn, skin blemishes and
discolored teeth.
Nutrients found in strawberries include vitamin
A, C and B6, fiber, potassium, folate and various antioxidants and
flavonoids. Your immune system needs these nutrients to protect you
against diseases related to heart and cancers.
Compared to fruits like apples,
oranges or bananas, they score highest in most of the nutrients. For
example, comparing the Vitamin C level in 100g of strawberries and 100g
of oranges, strawberries exceed oranges by 10mg. Best of all, they're
low in calories and absolutely fat-free!
Protect You against Heart Disease and Stroke
Nutrients
such as potassium, fiber and folate present in strawberries help to
combat heart disease. Studies have proven that potassium can
significantly lower blood pressure, which may then reduce the risk of
heart disease. Fiber, both soluble and insoluble, also lowers the risk
of both cardiovascular diseases and hypertension. Homocysteine, an
independent risk factor for heart disease, can be reduced by folate.
The
antioxidants also deter the oxidation of bad cholesterol. Oxidation
speeds up the build-up of arteries-hardening plaque (arteriosclerosis),
which endangers the heart. Besides as an antioxidant, flavonoids do bear
anti-inflammatory effect on arteries, meaning, they prevent blood
clotting, thereby reduces risk of stroke.
Fighter against Cancer
Because
strawberries are highly effective in fighting oxidative activity,
they're ranked top among 12 fruits that were analyzed. The credits go to
the high levels of polyphenols and Vitamin C in strawberries.
Antioxidants protect your body cells from damage by carcinogens,
the cancer-causing agents. They inhibit the development of carcinogens
and delay the tumors from growing and expanding. It was tested that
strawberry extracts actually hinder the growth of cancerous cells.
Booster for Immune System
To
have a long and healthy life, your immune system is the key. It's
responsible for fighting infections and removing damaged or
malfunctioning cells. But bad news is, your immune system ages with your
age. So, to maintain your immune system in tip-top condition, you need
to load your body with plenty of nutrients - vitamins, minerals and
antioxidants.
As mentioned earlier, strawberries provide most of the nutrients beneficial to your immune system, and the body easily absorbs these nutrients.
Top Ten Food for Skin Care
In
United States, strawberries are rated as one of the best food for skin
care and weight loss. Studies have shown that regular intake of
strawberries can improve skin and hair conditions. They help you lose
weight, due to its high fiber content and aspartic acid, which explains
why they're often included in a weight loss diet plan. The role of
aspartic acid is to remove excess toxins from your body. A cleansed and
detoxified body tends to stay healthier and in better shape.
Selection and Storage of Strawberries
In
the past, strawberries were not commonly found in supermarkets. But now
with the help of technology, you can buy them any time in the year as
they're flown in from Austrialia or United States.
When choosing
fresh strawberry, look for one that is bright, deep red and very glossy,
without green or white hard tips. The caps and leaves should look fresh
green. If you like sweet strawberries, go with the bright red, smaller
ones. Large ones can be watery.
Also, ensure the top layer of
ripe berries isn't hiding an unripe layer underneath because
strawberries will not ripen after they were harvested. If there are red
stains or liquid leaking from the box bottom, it means the berries had
been on the shelf for too long and thus, not worth your money.
If
you want your strawberries to stay fresh and last longer, do not wash
them until you want to use them. Place them in a container, preferably
in layers with paper towels in between the layers, and a dry paper towel
at the bottom.
When you're ready to use them, wash them with the
caps attached, under cool running water. Removing the caps cause the
strawberries to absorb too much water and become soggy. After washing,
you can pluck away the caps with your fingers or with a paring knife.