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- "Metabolism;" The Effect of Strawberries in a Cholesterol-lowering Dietary Portfolio; D.J. Jenkins, et al.; Dec. 2008
- "Metabolism;" The Effect of Strawberries in a Cholesterol-lowering Dietary Portfolio; D.J. Jenkins, et al.; Dec. 2008
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Are Strawberries Good for You?
Strawberries are a naturally sweet treat that make a healthy addition to any diet. Full of fiber, vitamin C and potassium, strawberries make a better choice than higher-calorie foods and can also help you manage your weight. Look for strawberries during their peak season, lasting from late May until August to enjoy them at their finest.
Calories, Fat and Fiber
One cup of sliced strawberries, weighing about 166 g, contains 53 calories and 0.5 grams of fat. Eating 1 cup of strawberries versus 1 cup of chips or snack crackers can save you considerable calories and fat. A 1-cup serving also provides 13 g of carbohydrates, 3 g of which is fiber. Fiber is essential to healthy digestion and cholesterol regulation. The Institute of Medicine recommends most adult women get about 25 g of fiber daily, and adult men need 38 g daily.
- One cup of sliced strawberries, weighing about 166 g, contains 53 calories and 0.5 grams of fat.
- A 1-cup serving also provides 13 g of carbohydrates, 3 g of which is fiber.
Vitamins and Minerals
Nutritional Value of Strawberries
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Strawberries are a rich source of the antioxidant vitamin C. One cup of sliced berries offers 97.6 mg, or more than 100 percent of the daily value based on a 2000-calorie diet. Sliced strawberries also provide 40 mcg of folate per cup, which helps protect the health of your red blood cells and protects fetuses from developing specific birth defects. One cup has 254 mg of potassium, making them a high source of this fluid-balancing mineral. Strawberries also help you reach your daily needs for manganese, iron, magnesium, copper and vitamins K and B-6.
- Strawberries are a rich source of the antioxidant vitamin C. One cup of sliced berries offers 97.6 mg, or more than 100 percent of the daily value based on a 2000-calorie diet.
- Sliced strawberries also provide 40 mcg of folate per cup, which helps protect the health of your red blood cells and protects fetuses from developing specific birth defects.
Cholesterol-lowering Benefits
Strawberries are a source of antioxidants, which are compounds that help fight disease-causing free radicals you acquire through normal exposure to pollution, chemicals, the environment and certain foods. The antioxidants in strawberries can play a role in lowering cholesterol, as demonstrated by a study from researchers at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, published in the journal “Metabolism” in December 2008 1.
Creative Uses
How to Marinate Strawberries
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Typical ways to eat strawberries include adding them to cereal and fruit salad or topping them with chocolate or whipped cream. Soak strawberries in lemon juice and 1 tsp. of sugar to make a rich topping for plain yogurt, ice cream or pound cake. Bake freshly sliced strawberries into muffin batter or corn bread. Use strawberries to top pancakes and waffles. Add strawberries to a fresh spinach salad made with goat cheese and pecans. Top grilled chicken with a salsa made from diced strawberries, mint, lemon juice and cucumber.
- Typical ways to eat strawberries include adding them to cereal and fruit salad or topping them with chocolate or whipped cream.
- of sugar to make a rich topping for plain yogurt, ice cream or pound cake.
Related Articles
References
- "Metabolism;" The Effect of Strawberries in a Cholesterol-lowering Dietary Portfolio; D.J. Jenkins, et al.; Dec. 2008
- Institute of Medicine; Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids; Sept. 5, 2002
- USDA National Nutrient Database: Strawberries, Raw
- USDA: Why is it Important to Eat Fruit?; Feb. 9, 2011
- Strawberries, raw. FoodData Central. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Published April 1, 2019.
- Managing dietary carbohydrates for better health. UW Integrative Health Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. Updated 2018.
- Strawberries, the superfood you've been eating your whole life. Produce for Better Health Foundation. Updated 2020.
- Schell J, Scofield RH, Barrett JR, et al. Strawberries improve pain and inflammation in obese adults with radiographic evidence of knee osteoarthritis. Nutrients. 2017;9(9). doi:10.3390/nu9090949
- National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin C: Fact sheet for health professionals. Updated February 27, 2020.
- Chen T, Shi N, Afzali A. Chemopreventive effects of strawberry and black raspberry on colorectal cancer in inflammatory bowel disease. Nutrients. 2019;11(6). doi:10.3390/nu11061261
- Anaphylactic reactions to cherries, strawberries and grapes. American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. Updated 2018.
- Strawberries & more. University of Illinois Extension. Updated 2020.
- Zibdeh N. A very berry summer. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Updated 2018.
Writer Bio
Andrea Boldt has been in the fitness industry for more than 20 years. A personal trainer, run coach, group fitness instructor and master yoga teacher, she also holds certifications in holistic and fitness nutrition.