Strawberries are a beloved sweet fruit with numerous virtues for the health and beauty of the skin
Spring delight, strawberries are starting to entice us from the counters of markets and supermarkets right now, announcing the arrival of the beautiful season. Considered a delicacy to be savored as a dessert, or as an ingredient in ice creams, smoothies, jams and cakes, the strawberries but I am also unexpected anti-aging superfood. Low in calories and rich in powerful natural antioxidants and C vitamin (they contain more than oranges), and minerals such as potassium and manganese, they possess a variety of superpowers: they stimulate the production of collagen, fight acne, protect the heart, regulate blood sugar and are good for the brain. Not surprisingly, according to nutritionists, we should eat them every day.
Strawberries are the fruits of a plant of the Rosaceae family and the Fragaria species. In botany they are considered “false fruits”: the real fruits are in fact the achenes, the small yellow “seeds” on the surface of the “fruit”. There are more than 600 varieties, of different caliber, consistency and flavours, grown in the temperate zones of the planet. Our European strawberries (technical name Fragaria Ananassa) are a hybrid of two wild species, one from North America, and the other from Chile. The strawberries have been used in traditional medicine since ancient times: it seems that the ancient Romans used them to treat every type of pathology, from sore throat to inflammation to kidney stones.
The properties and benefits of strawberries for health and skin
- Rich in vitamin C and antioxidants such as ellagic acid which protects elastin fibres, supports the production of collagen and helps make the skin healthy and radiant
- Thanks to natural polyphenols such as anthocyanins, ellagitannins and procyanidins, they reduce oxidative stress and are beneficial for heart health
- They have anti-inflammatory properties
- They help regulate blood sugar levels
- They contain folic acid (or vitamin B9), which is essential during pregnancy
- They contain potassium which helps regulate blood pressure
- Rich in water (which makes up 91%) they are a hydrating food
- Low in calories (they contain only 32 per 100 grams), they are suitable for low-calorie diets
- Having a low glycemic index and not causing significant spikes in blood sugar, they can be consumed by those suffering from diabetes
- Thanks to the presence of soluble and insoluble fibres, they are beneficial for the good bacteria of the intestine, and assist correct digestion
- They help regulate “bad” cholesterol (LDL)
- A University of Cincinnati study published in the journal Nutrients concluded that daily consumption of strawberries could prevent senile dementia
Contraindications
- Strawberry allergy is quite common, especially among children
- Strawberries contain goitrogens, antinutrients that inhibit thyroid function, so they should be avoided by those with thyroid problems
How to eat strawberries in our daily menus, from morning to evening
Strawberries for breakfast
Add strawberries to your porridge or granola, or pop them into your morning smoothie. An example of a protein smoothie that supports skin health, based on strawberries:
- A cup of strawberries, chopped
- A banana
- a teaspoon of protein powder (from peas or lupins, for example)
- A teaspoon of hemp seeds
- One teaspoon of marine collagen powder
- Almond or oat milk
Strawberries for lunch
Invent delicious strawberry salads. You can create an easy strawberry salad using ingredients, for example:
