Health Benefits of Strawberries For Moms To-Be & Kids

Strawberry, also commonly known as Garden Strawberry, is an extremely healthy and delicious fruit. The scientific name is Fragaria Ananassa. It is a popular hybrid of the Genus Fragaria family. They are cultivated all over the world today and are used in the making of a vast plethora of products such as jams, cakes, jellies, ice cream, soaps, and perfumes and so on. Currently, the top producer of strawberries in the world is China, holding about 40% of the worldwide produce.

The strawberry is a small, conical shaped fruit. It usually appears in a luscious red colour with tiny seeds dotting its outer part. If you are looking to pick the sweetest strawberries, do not go by the colour or size of the fruit. Instead take a look at the stem. If the leafy tendrils are upturned, it means that the strawberry is sweet.

Let's take a look at the nutritional benefits the  strawberry has to offer.

Nutritional Profile

100 grams of chopped Strawberry contains:

• Contains 32 calories
• 91% of water content
• 7.7 grams of carbohydrates
• 4.9 grams of sugar
• 2 grams of fibre
• 0.7 grams of protein
• 0.3 grams of fat

It also contains negligible amounts several vitamins, minerals and antioxidants:

• Vitamin B9 – Folate
• Vitamin C
• Manganese
• Potassium
• Procyanidins
• Ellagic acid
• Ellagitannins
• Pelargonidin
• Over 25 different anthocyanins

The Many Health Benefits of Strawberry for Kids and Adults

Strawberries are enjoyed equally by both children and adults alike. The juicy, sweet treat is a forever summer favourite. Its high antioxidant content makes it perfect even for people who have diabetes. Some of the benefits of consuming strawberries are listed below:

• Strawberries are abundant in anthocyanin which is directly linked to reduction in the risk of getting a heart attack termed as Myocardial Infarction.
• The fibre and potassium content also contribute to the improvement in the general health of the heart.
• They work in improving the blood lipid profile.
• Strawberries can also reduce a harmful oxidant known as LDL (bad cholesterol).
• It also decreases oxidative stress.
• Strawberries reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and prevent inflammation in the urinary tract.
• Quercetin, kaempferol and anthocyanin found in strawberries work moderately in keeping away strokes.
• Strawberries have a high water content and are rich in fibre which will help in the free movement of bowels, reducing the chances of constipation.
• Strawberries are the easiest way to include potassium in your diet. This helps in the offset of the effects of sodium in the body which will greatly benefit those who struggle with high blood pressure.

Benefits of Consuming Strawberry During Pregnancy

There are numerous benefits in consuming strawberries during pregnancy, due to their high nutrient content. And they should not be removed from your diet unless there is some exceptional reason. There advantages of strawberries in the time of pregnancy are listed below:

• Pregnancy is a rather vulnerable time for women, when the body undergoes a lot of changes and your immunity system will fight to keep up with it. Strawberries will help ease the process as it is packed with Vitamin C which acts as natural immunity boosters. They are known to keep several infections at bay.
• Strawberries are fully capable of reducing the bad cholesterol in your body that will inevitably lead to the reduction of plague in the arteries and other blood vessels.
• Consuming strawberries helps beat an array of heart related diseases and maintains the health of your heart along with your overall well-being.
• The high Vitamin A content in strawberries may work in the cornea and retina of your eyes. It strengthens your eyesight and also works in protecting them from further damage. Vitamin A also reduces the chances of the occurrence of a cataract and even reduces the chances of other age-related eyesight problems.
• The nutrients present in strawberries are capable of defeating the harmful toxins found in your body that cause internal damage and fasten the ageing process. The nutrients work to repair the damage caused by these toxins, hence improving overall health as well.
• Strawberries are a brilliant choice for those suffering from diabetes as it allows them to eat a good portion of sweet fruits without worrying about the sugar content.

Risks of Consuming Strawberry During Pregnancy

As any other fruit, there are always risks to consider before consuming strawberries especially during pregnancy:

• Strawberries tend to be an easy trigger for allergies. Even a pollen allergy can be set off by this fruit. This will lead to effects like rashes, hives and in some extreme cases a difficulty to breathe.
• It is best to stay away from strawberries during pregnancy, if you or anyone in your family has had a run in with this kind of allergy.
• Since strawberries are often eaten raw, it tends to expose you to a number of bacteria and parasites that may infect the placenta and put the baby in harm’s way. The best way to prevent this is to wash the fruits thoroughly before consumption.

The Tasty Way of Including Strawberry in Your Diet

Strawberries are highly versatile and can be used in a million ways, mostly in desserts. Desserts are considered unhealthy due to the high usage of sugar, but anything in moderation is good to go. So here are some great ways to incorporate strawberries into your diet.

• The raw form is the best form. Just bite into the juicy goodness and enjoy its natural sweetness. Make sure you wash them well before you eat them. 
• You can also dip the strawberries into a chocolate dip or melted chocolate. They are a quick and sinful treat.
• Blend the strawberries with milk and yoghurt/ice cream to make a milkshake. You can also add in some of your favourite fruits like bananas, kiwis and apples to the blend as well.
• If you are looking for long term usage, you can make jam from fresh strawberries.
• They can be used in a variety of ways during baking: strawberry shortcake, strawberry muffins, strawberry cheesecake and many more.
• They can also be frozen for long term usage.

Fun facts that you didn’t know about strawberry

• Strawberries are the only fruits that wear their seeds outside
• Strawberries aren't actually berries
• Strawberries belong to the rose family. Come across any strawberry bush, they will smell sweet too
• Americans eat three and a half pounds of fresh strawberries each year
• Belgium actually has a museum dedicated to strawberries
• Strawberries also have aphrodisiac qualities. In France, strawberries are served to newlyweds in the form of a creamy soup for breakfast.

Fresh garden strawberries are one of the best things you can taste in summers. So do not hesitate to eat this healthy and delicious fruit. If you suspect that you might be allergic, make sure you consult your physician.