Strawberry: composition, benefits and health benefits
Strawberry is a favorite natural dessert. Our article will tell you more about the composition, benefits and harms to the health of this berry.
Chemical composition
This fragrant berry is the source of many active substances that positively affect the general condition of a person. Doctors recommend to eat these juicy berries to improve well-being.
So, in a sweet aromatic berry are:
- mineral and vitamin group: manganese, iron, copper, selenium, iron, potassium, tocopherol, calcium, sodium, carotene, iodine, magnesium, sulfur and many other elements;
- water;
- vegetable fiber;
- natural acids.
Trace elements in strawberries, restore metabolic processes. The cells of the body need these substances, as they take part in all the biochemical reactions that take place in them.
Of course, fresh strawberries are most useful. It contains more active substances. Temperature processing leads to the fact that a lot of herbal ingredients in the berries just disappear, and some of the vitamins are also “lost” when dried.
In order to enrich your body with mineral compounds, eating strawberries is better during the season when it ripens. It at this time contains a maximum of minerals that are required by the body for its good functioning.
Garden strawberries have a unique taste and unique aroma. These berries are great for making various desserts. So, from the strawberry garden you can make fragrant jam and a delicious marshmallow. These desserts diversify any tea party.
Even people with extra pounds are allowed to eat strawberries. This berry contains few calories. When using it in moderation, it is not worth worrying about the fact that additional centimeters will appear on problem areas of the body. It should be noted that in obesity it is better to use fresh berries, and not jam or jams, cooked from them. In these desserts there are quite a lot of sweet ingredients, which means that they will not contribute to weight loss.
What is good for the body?
Most people think that strawberries can only be eaten for pleasure. This is a fallacy. Strawberry fruits have truly healing properties. If you use the berry correctly, it will be of great benefit.
- Many folk remedies can be made from strawberries. These herbal remedies will help to deal with the adverse symptoms of many diseases. You can also make a lot of natural cosmetics from strawberries. Their use will help improve skin condition and even slow down the development of age-related changes.
- Strawberries are rich in substances that have anti-inflammatory effect. It is no coincidence that drinks made from this berry are recommended for people who have the flu. They contain natural vitamin C and plant substances that help to reduce inflammation that develops in respiratory diseases.
- The healing properties of strawberries are also in the fact that this berry has positive effect on blood vessels. So, this natural dessert contains substances that help maintain optimal vascular tone. Eating these juicy berries is recommended for hypertension. Drinking strawberries helps to normalize blood pressure and reduce the risk of complications of this insidious disease.
- Fresh strawberry berries - excellent diuretic agent. A small portion of berry dessert helps to restore the functioning of the kidneys, as the flow of urine normalizes. Changes in urination occur, as a rule, in chronic renal tissue pathologies. However, when consuming strawberry fruits, it should be remembered that the chemical compounds present in them can cause a shift in the urine pH.
- Fresh strawberries contain beta carotene. This component is necessary for the body, as it affects the eyes. If this important component enters the body in insufficient quantities, it can lead to the formation of dangerous pathologies of the fundus and retina. It is no coincidence that these juicy berries are recommended for elderly people, as they have a rather high risk of developing age-related eye diseases.
- Strawberries should also be used by people living in cities with adverse environmental conditions. In such cities, the level of air pollution is quite high. In the human body, living in the city, toxic compounds arrive almost constantly. They are dangerous because during accumulation they can contribute to the formation of dangerous pathological conditions.
Strawberry fruits contain substances that help remove such aggressive substances from the body. However, in order to achieve this effect, it is necessary to eat only fresh berries. They contain more active ingredients that contribute to the natural cleansing of the body from toxins.
- Strawberries are rich in natural acids. These substances are needed by the human body to maintain optimal acid-base balance. Eating juicy strawberry fruit helps to maintain blood pH at a strictly defined level. This, in turn, helps reduce the risk of many dangerous diseases.
- Eating fresh strawberry berries helps to reduce the risk of cancer. The aromatic berry contains antioxidant substances. They protect the body from the appearance of malignant cells in it. It is important to note that to prevent the development of cancer and other malignant tumors, strawberries should be eaten fresh.
- Strawberry helps also restore brain function. It contains substances that help improve blood flow through the arteries supplying blood to this important organ. So, strawberry fruits improve memory and normalize other functions of the brain.
- Juicy strawberries very useful for beautiful ladies. Their use contributes to the fact that the skin tone improves. The berries also contain plant components that help slow down the appearance of facial wrinkles. In order to enhance this effect, juicy strawberries should not only be eaten, but also used for the preparation of masks and berry lotions. Such external use of home cosmetics helps to achieve an amazing result in a fairly short time.
- Fresh strawberries helps to reduce the risk of developing cancer of the breast. The berry is recommended to include in the menu for women suffering from mastopathy and other pathologies of the mammary glands.
- Use juicy berries recommended for people of mature age. It is believed that after 40 years the risk of developing many diseases increases. This leads to specific changes that begin to occur in the cells by this age. Eating fresh berries helps to reduce the risk of developing dangerous diseases of internal organs that can significantly impair the quality of life.
- Eating strawberries should not only women but also men. This berry contains substances that help reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. This pathology often develops in males. The danger of such a pathological condition is that it can lead to the formation of severe heart pathologies.
- Strawberries are very good for men's health. Thus, the herbal components contained in it affect the work of the prostate gland. Pathologies of this organ, as a rule, begin to be recorded in men older than 40 years. However, doctors regret to report that dysfunction of the prostate gland is increasingly detected and at a younger age.Specialists at the same time note that this is largely due to stress, bad habits and unhealthy diet. Strawberries contain antioxidants and minerals. They, getting into the male body, contribute to the improvement of the genital organs. This action reduces the risk of prostate adenoma and other diseases of the genital organs.
- Strawberry berries contain herbal ingredients. able to improve the lipid balance in the body. So, with regular use of strawberries, blood cholesterol levels stabilize. It also improves the chemical composition of blood: its viscosity and other important clinical indicators improve.
- Strawberry berries contain vegetable fiber. These components contribute to the normalization of the digestive system. The acids contained in the berries contribute to changes in the secretion of gastric juice. This action, in turn, helps to improve the processes of digestion. It is believed that strawberries even help to cope with the adverse symptoms that occur after overeating.
Metabolic problems are quite common. Such problems lead to the formation of many pathologies. It is believed that metabolic disorders lead only to problems of excess weight, but it is not. Reduced metabolism leads to the formation of many dangerous pathologies of internal organs.
- Normalize metabolic rate can be with the help of fruits and berries, rich in plant active substances. Thus, strawberry berries help to restore the metabolism of substances, which has a positive effect on the entire body.
- Strawberries are also useful for the organs of bile excretion. This berry contains substances that affect the function of the gallbladder sphincter. This action contributes to the fact that bile flows better, which means that the processes of digestion are much more intense. If the outflow of this digestive secret is not disturbed, then the development of many liver diseases can be avoided. It is recommended to use strawberries for people with anatomical features of the gallbladder and a high risk of liver tissue diseases.
- These sweet berries are useful not only for adults. Many kids also like to eat strawberries. If a child has no contraindications to the use of this sweet natural delicacy, then you should not refuse strawberries. In this berry, there are many minerals and natural sugars that have a beneficial effect on the brain of a child. After eating berries, the baby also improves mood.
- In the fragrant berries contain pectins. These substances affect the functioning of the colon. Also, these components contribute to the normalization of intestinal microflora. Specialists of traditional medicine note that people who regularly eat strawberries, the risk of developing many bowel diseases is reduced.
- This juicy berry contains mineral compounds that contribute to the improvement of joint mobility. Herbal components contained in it also help to reduce the risk of salt deposits in these moving organs of the musculoskeletal system. Specialists of traditional medicine note that the systematic use of these fragrant berries helps to reduce the risk of developing arthritis and other inflammatory, as well as degenerative, joint pathologies.
- This berry is also useful for the organs of the endocrine system. It contains iodine of natural origin. This mineral has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the thyroid gland. The use of fragrant berries helps to reduce the risk of the formation of dangerous diseases of this secretory organ and hormonal disorders.
- People should also include this natural berry in their menu having a greater predisposition to developing Alzheimer's disease. This pathology can occur in close relatives.That is why people who have Alzheimer's cases in their families are better off using fragrant strawberries more often.
- Fresh strawberries are good for blood formation. This berry is rich in minerals that help improve the formation of red blood cells. These red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to all cells in the body. Also in the fragrant strawberry berries contain plant substances that contribute to an increase in hemoglobin concentration.
People who like to feast on juicy strawberries decrease the risk of developing anemia and other blood pathologies. It is no coincidence that this berry is recommended to be included in the diet of people who have just suffered a serious illness or stress.
This berry is rich in minerals that strengthen the body and give strength for an active life.
The use of these juicy berries helps reduce the risk of osteoporosis. This pathology is more often recorded in women after the onset of menopause. The minerals contained in fresh berries strengthen the bone tissue. Such exposure helps reduce the risk of pathological fractures.
Contraindications
Strawberries are very good for the body. However, in some cases, it can be harmful to health. In order to reduce the risk of adverse symptoms, do not eat these fragrant berries for people who have certain contraindications.
- You can not eat garden strawberries for people who are allergic to this berry. It is worth noting that strawberries often cause food allergies. This disease is usually detected after the first use of this berry for food. It is worth noting that the berry can contribute to the development and cross-allergy. This should definitely be remembered by people who suffer from this pathology.
- This berry is also contraindicated in case of individual intolerance. This pathology has many similar symptoms with allergies, but it also has differences. So, after eating these berries in people with such physiological characteristics of the body, there is severe pain in the abdomen, which usually proceeds with cuttings and fever. Vomiting often occurs. If after eating strawberries such signs appeared, then it is not worth delaying to seek medical help, as this is extremely dangerous.
- Strawberries are rich in natural acids. These chemical compounds, once in the stomach, can lead to a change in the pH of the gastric secretion. If a person suffers from gastritis with high secretion or peptic ulcer disease, then he may develop dyspepsia symptoms.
- Berries can contribute to the deterioration of peptic ulcer disease. This must be remembered by people with this disease. To use this natural dessert in the presence of "fresh" ulcers on the gastric walls is impossible. It is possible to include berry desserts in your diet to people suffering from peptic ulcer, only after consulting with a gastroenterologist.
- Strawberry juice is rich in minerals that can alter the pH of the urinary sediment. This should be remembered for people who have problems with the work of the kidneys and other urinary organs. Thus, excessive consumption of strawberry berries can provoke changes in the chemical composition of urine, which is ultimately dangerous by the formation of stones in the renal tissue.
- Strawberry is a delicious dessert. Many people love it, however You should not abuse this natural delicacy during pregnancy. Expectant mothers deny yourself the pleasure to eat some fragrant berries should not be, but it should not be forgotten about their number.
- Breastfeeding is another specific period in a woman’s life. At this time, the mother must control everything she uses.It so happens that after eating a product, the baby has abdominal pain or other uncomfortable symptoms. That is why nursing mothers should carefully monitor their diet.
Use strawberries during lactation should be careful. In the first months of breastfeeding there is such a natural delicacy is not worth it. It is better to please yourself with strawberry jam after the baby starts to get lures.
At the same time it is necessary to evaluate the health of the child. If, after his mother consumed strawberries or jam from this berry, crumbs appeared on the cheeks or itchy rash, then in this case it is better to refuse this natural delicacy.
Include strawberry meals during lactation should only be in the absence of contraindications. Before this nursing mother should always consult a doctor in order not to harm his beloved baby. In order not to harm yourself, you need only good berries. Eating fruits with signs of rot or spoilage should not be taken. Eating such strawberries can lead to symptoms of food poisoning.
If the strawberry berries are already spoiled, then you can not eat them raw. Such fruits must be subjected to heat treatment. However, from the use of any spoiled fruit is better to refuse. Eating them can lead to dyspeptic symptoms.
Properties of tails and leaves
Strawberry is a very useful plant. Many people think that only berries can be used for medical purposes, but this is not so. In folk medicine, even strawberry sepals and leaves are used. The substances they contain help to improve health.
From such green parts of the plant you can make a healthy warming drink. The components contained in it help to strengthen the immune system. That is why this drink is recommended to use during respiratory diseases. Such a drink should also be drunk for prophylaxis to people who often have colds.
Strawberries can be used to make homemade cosmetics. So, from them it is possible to prepare the natural broth promoting improvement of appearance of skin. Specialists in traditional medicine recommend using such a natural remedy for women who want to preserve youth and beauty for many years.
From the strawberry sepals, you can also prepare a useful face mask. The substances contained in it contribute to the natural renewal of the skin. After such an unusual mask improves the color of the dermis. The expression of mimic wrinkles also decreases.
Traditional medicine experts recommend the use of strawberry sepals for people suffering from diabetes. They note that they contain substances that contribute to the normalization of glucose in the blood. So, from the green sepals you can make fragrant tea. Drink this drink should not be more than once a day. At the same time it is necessary to control blood sugar.
Strawberry sepals contain quite a lot of folic acid. This component supports blood formation. Folates are necessary for the cells of the body for their normal division. Folic acid also helps reduce the risk of many chronic diseases.
Strawberry sepals can be preserved for a long time. Make it quite simple, for this the strawberries need to be thoroughly dried. You can do this on your balcony. After drying is completed, the sepals must be transferred to a glass jar for further storage.
It is better to store such dried raw materials in a dark, cool place. Dried strawberry sepals are perfectly stored for several months.If necessary, a small amount of raw materials can be used for the preparation of medicinal decoctions or infusions.
Terms of Use
Strawberries are rich in substances that affect health. Healthy people better eat such berries in moderation so as not to harm their own body. If a person has some kind of chronic disease, then in this case, he should be careful when using strawberries.
When gastritis
Chronic pathology of the stomach occur with periodic exacerbations. Thus, a person who has such a disease may suddenly have abdominal pain or dyspepsia symptoms. In order to exclude the appearance of such discomfort, in the diet should not be present products that can provoke damage to the mucous membranes of the stomach.
With increased acidity of gastric juice should be excluded fresh strawberries. This berry contains quite a lot of organic acids that can damage the stomach. People suffering from this pathology, it is better to use strawberry berries after their temperature processing. In this case, the dose of strawberry dessert should be small.
Pancreatitis
The use of strawberries is also limited in case of acute inflammation of the pancreas. When exacerbation of pancreatitis is extremely important to follow a therapeutic diet. Fresh berries are excluded from the diet during this period. They can provoke an increase in the pain syndrome that developed during a given period of the disease.
Strawberries with this pathology is better to use only for the preparation of various drinks and permitted desserts. So, from this aromatic berry, you can make a delicious compote or jelly. Quite sweet berries are better suited for cooking such dishes. Sour strawberries can only provoke a deterioration of health.
Strawberry teeth whitening
Strawberries are rich in herbal ingredients with an acidic effect. These substances can affect tooth enamel, leading to its natural whitening. It should be noted that to achieve the result of bleaching as after visiting a dental office at home will not work.
However, it is certainly possible to change the color of the tooth enamel.
It should be noted that for this purpose it is necessary to use only fresh berries. They contain plant extracts and acids that help improve the color of tooth enamel. In this case, quite a small amount of berries. The active ingredients contained in them whiten teeth well.
Interestingly, strawberry can be prepared from natural infusion, which can be used for rinsing the mouth. For this 5-6 berries should be crushed with a fork and pour a glass of boiling water. To insist such a remedy should be within 10 minutes. After that it can be used for rinsing. This tool helps to get rid of food particles that can get stuck in the teeth after eating.
Strawberry berries are rich in substances that help reduce bad breath. Stale breath may appear for a variety of reasons. The appearance of such a discomfort symptom can lead not only diseases of the teeth and gums. Even pathologies of the stomach can cause the development of this clinical manifestation.
People suffering from this pathology, it is recommended to eat fresh strawberries more often. It contains herbal extracts that help reduce the severity of this adverse symptom. After eating, you can eat a few juicy strawberry berries. This will help improve breathing if there is no chewing gum or rinse aid on hand.
On the beneficial properties of strawberries, see below.