Strawberries are healthy, that’s for sure. But why actually? What are the most important nutrients and vitamins? And why are organic strawberries healthier?
As the days get longer, the annual strawberry season is approaching. Strawberries provide you with important vitamins and essential minerals and fiber.
Strawberries not only have a positive effect on health. You can also easily eat them in large numbers without it being noticeable on the scale. Because strawberries contain just 32 kilocalories per 100 grams – half as many as most apple varieties. Bananas, for example, have around 90 kilocalories, and avocados even 130.
Strawberries contain a lot of folic acid (vitamin B9)
Folic acid is a B vitamin and should not be neglected in a healthy diet. It plays an essential role in cell division processes, which in turn are responsible for growth processes. Therefore, pregnant women have an increased need for folic acid. Women who want children should also eat more foods with a lot of folic acid.
Strawberries contain plenty of vitamin B9. 250 grams of strawberries have 110 micrograms of folic acid. The daily requirement of adolescents and adults is 300 micrograms. In pregnant women, the daily requirement is almost twice as high.
Potassium makes strawberries healthy
The mineral potassium is indispensable for the human organism. Together with sodium, potassium transmits signals between cells, for example between nerve and muscle cells. So without potassium you would not be able to move or read this text. It also helps maintain healthy blood pressure and even reduces the risk of stroke.
Strawberries provide a healthy base of potassium. However, you still need other foods to provide you with sufficient minerals and to eat healthily. For example, spinach, cashews, peanuts, and kidney beans are high in potassium. In addition to potassium, strawberries also contain large amounts of manganese, copper and zinc.
Strawberries contain more vitamin C than oranges
you read correctly Oranges and lemons are rightly known for being high in vitamin C. Nevertheless, they cannot compete with the local strawberry.
A quantity of 150 grams of strawberries already covers the daily requirement of vitamin C. Ripe and darker strawberries contain more vitamin C than lighter ones.
If you consume enough vitamin C, the nutrient strengthens your immune system and your health. A slight deficiency can manifest itself in tiredness and bleeding gums.
Strawberries are carriers of healthy fiber
Fiber can bind large amounts of water. This allows food to pass through the digestive tract more easily, preventing constipation.
In addition, dietary fibers are the basic nutritional basis for intestinal bacteria. The more fiber you give them, the better they work and the healthier you feel. In addition to strawberries, numerous types of vegetables such as broccoli or peas, legumes, nuts and seeds are excellent sources of fiber.
Secondary plant substances are essential for health
The positive effects of strawberries on health are due to the numerous vitamins, minerals and dietary fibers. However, recent studies show that secondary plant substances can also have a major impact on health. Strawberries contain polyphenols and flavonoids as secondary plant substances.
A study from the University of California suggests that polyphenols can strengthen the cardiovascular system and prevent diseases of the nervous system. They are also said to help against obesity and even fight esophageal cancer.
Flavonoids are responsible for the red color of strawberries. They have an antioxidant effect and can destroy so-called “free radicals”. Too many free radicals in the body are suspected of contributing to diseases such as cancer, arteriosclerosis or arthritis.
However, secondary plant substances should only be consumed through food and not through dietary supplements. Secondary plant substances only work in interaction with other nutrients. Taking supplements alone can even be harmful to your health.
