The strawberry, Fragaria, is a member of the rose (rosaceae) family, and one of the most popular berry fruits in the world. There are more than 10 species of Fragaria that differ in flavour, size and texture, yet they all have the same characteristic heart shape and red, seeded flesh. Strawberries are not actually fruits, as they carry their seeds on the outside and develop runners, which produce roots that go on to create clone plants. About seven fresh berries count as one of your five-a-day.
Strawberries are seasonal fruits that grow in bushes. There are three types of strawberries:
- June-bearing strawberries
- Everbearing strawberries
- Day-neutral strawberry variety
Nutritional benefits of strawberries
An 80g serving of strawberries provides:
- 26Kcal/101KJ
- 0.6g protein
- 0.2g fat
- 6g carbohydrates
- 1.6g fibre
- 136mg potassium
- 49mcg folate
- 46mg vit C
Health benefits are as follows:
May Aid in Eye Care
Eating strawberries can prevent eye conditions like dry eyes, degeneration of the optic nerves, macular degeneration, vision defects, and increased susceptibility to infections. A paper exploring nutritional solutions for age-related eye diseases recommended strawberries for their possibly rich vitamin C content. Published in the journal, Clinical Interventions in Aging, it found that vitamin C provided the eye with vital antioxidant protection.
Another study, published in the journal Nutrients in 2018, termed vitamin C as an essential nutrient in repairing the tissues in the eye. It reviewed different studies to conclude that vitamin C-rich foods like strawberry could prevent glaucoma.
May Aid in Managing Diabetes
Eating strawberries may lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes as strawberries have a low glycemic index, which a study published in the British Medical Journal confirmed. Another study funded by The Canadian Institutes of Health Research showed that eating strawberries improved glycemic control among people with diabetes. Another research shows that it can help in managing hyperglycemia-linked type 2 diabetes.
May Boost Immunity
Vitamin C, present in strawberries and many other types of fruits, helps boost the immune system and helps in curing common cough and cold. One cup of strawberries can meet your daily requirement of vitamin C.
May be cancer protective
Studies suggest that strawberries may prevent certain cancers. The protective effect is thought to be thanks to a combination of polyphenols including ellagic acid and ellagitannins, which appear to halt the growth of cancer cells in animal studies. More human studies are needed to establish the correct method of action and to confirm the effects.
May help weight management
Strawberries have a low glycaemic index (GI) and as such help moderate blood sugar release. Studies suggest that a diet with plenty of low GI foods may be beneficial for weight management and for reducing the incidence of obesity-related diseases. Strawberries are also low in calories, yet sweet tasting so may be helpful as a sweet fix.
Are strawberries safe for everyone to eat?
Although most of us can enjoy strawberries without a problem, they are a common allergen, especially for young children. If you have allergies to birch pollen or apples, you are more likely to develop a secondary food allergy to strawberries. If this is relevant, you should avoid strawberries.
Strawberries, along with fruits including apples, peaches, avocados and blueberries contain natural chemicals called salicylates. Some people are sensitive to these compounds and may experience an allergic reaction including skin rash and swelling.
Strawberries also contain goitrogens, compounds which may interfere with thyroid function, so those with a thyroid condition should minimise their intake.
DoctorPanie 
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