Heart-shaped rose

I really enjoy a good strawberry. Sitting here in the office, I can almost smell it. I can almost taste the flavor on my tongue and feel the explosion of juice in my mouth. Mmmm, so delicious. They are a diverse fruit and can enhance the flavor of just about anything, but they are packed full of nutrients to help the body too. Ancient Romans even believed strawberries help alleviate various ailments, including melancholy, fainting, inflammation, and fevers.

A strawberry is a sweet, red heart-shaped fruit, much loved for its delicious taste. Native to many parts of the world, it belongs to the rose family and has a distinct aroma. Despite its name, a strawberry is not a berry botanically. It is an aggregate accessory fruit, which means the fleshy part is not derived from the plant ovaries. Instead, each visible seed covering its outside is borne from one of the ovaries of the flower. Strawberries are the only fruit where the seeds are on the outside of the flesh. Also, each strawberry has about 200 seeds. Crazy!

Strawberries have high levels of heart-healthy antioxidants like ellagic acid and flavonoids like anthocyanin, catechin, quercetin, and kaempferol. These compounds lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases by inhibiting the formation of total and LDL (bad) cholesterol. They also relax the blood vessels, causing improved blood flow and preventing cardiovascular problems. Additionally, the high fiber content, vitamin C, and folate in strawberries form an ideal cardiac health package as they effectively reduce cholesterol in the arteries and vessels.

Eating strawberries can prevent eye conditions like dry eyes, degeneration of the optic nerves, macular degeneration, vision defects, and increased susceptibility to infections. Antioxidants in strawberries can help avoid almost all eye problems because they protect against free radical scavenging activity.

Strawberries are also known to reduce ocular pressure in the eye which can be harmful.

Strawberries are rich in potassium and magnesium, both of which are vasodilators, meaning they reduce hypertension and the rigidity of arteries and blood vessels. This eases the flow of blood to various parts of the body and keeps them functioning at their full potential.

Vitamin C, folate, anthocyanins, quercetin, and kaempferol are just a few of the many flavonoids in strawberries that act as excellent antioxidants. Together, they form an excellent line of defense to fight cancer and tumor growth. Daily intake of strawberries is connected to a drastic reduction in the presence and metastasis of cancer cells.

Strawberries are rich in iodine, vitamin C, and phytochemicals, which help maintain the proper functioning of the nervous system. Potassium in strawberries has also been linked to an improved cognitive function by increasing blood flow to the brain. Furthermore, research on older women showed higher consumption of blueberries and strawberries, rich in anthocyanins and other flavonoids, is linked with a slower progression of cognitive decline.

Vitamin C present in strawberry boosts the immune system and helps in curing common cough and cold. A single serving has approximately 150% of your daily requirement of vitamin C, way more than an orange! Folic acid in strawberries is a necessary nutrient, especially during pregnancy, as it helps in preventing birth defects. It is also important for ensuring optimal health during pregnancy.

Strawberries are best picked when ripe. They will not continue to ripen off the vine. You should however, be prepared to use or eat them as soon as you pick them. They will go bad in just a couple of days. You can refrigerate them to add a few extra days to their shelf life. However, when storing it’s best to lay them on a paper towel in a single layer. The containers you get from the store cause the strawberries to go bad quickly as they will mold if there is no space between them. Do not wash or remove the hull until you are ready to use as this will cause them to lose flavor and nutrients more quickly as well. Freezing them however, will cause them to last for about 6 months. To freeze, wash and remove the top. Place in a single layer on a cookie sheet and freeze for 4 hours. Then place in air tight container and remove as much air as possible. Find some fresh strawberries this weekend and meet me in the kitchen for some delicious recipes using this wonderful rose!