Health Benefits of Strawberries: Antioxidants

Strawberries are delicious, highly nutritious and anti-oxidant rich food. It offers a wide range of health benefits. It is one of the best foods available to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. It has anti-ageing properties and helps to prevent skin wrinkles.

Strawberry

    Wikimedia Commons: Foenyx      

Strawberries grow in the wild and are also cultivated. They were cultivated by the Romans even before the Christian era. Strawberries are used in ice creams, desserts, salads, yogurt and beverages. They are rich in vitamin C, B2, B5, B6, folate and potassium. They also contain manganese and copper.

Antioxidants

Strawberries contain high amount of antioxidants. Antioxidants have anti-ageing and anti-inflammatory                                             properties. Strawberries are among the top 8 foods that lower the risk of cancer.

Dietary Fiber

Strawberries are rich in dietary fiber. One cup of the fruit contains 13% dietary fiber but only 43 calories. It helps to relieve constipation and stabilizes blood sugar

Risk of Heart Attack

Eating strawberries regularly, lowers blood pressure and decreases inflammation of the blood vessels. It has anti-coagulant properties which prevents blood clots and reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke. It contains potassium which is also beneficial for the heart.

Boosting Immunity

Regular consumption of strawberries raises the antioxidant saturation levels in the blood. This helps to boost the immune system and ward off common diseases and infection.

Macular Degeneration

Consumption of strawberries will reduce the risk of macular degeneration due to ageing. Strawberries can be made a part of each and every meal in the form of salad, juice or some other preparation.

Oral and Dental Care

Strawberries can get rid of tartar. They can also stop bleeding gums. Rub slices of strawberries against your gums and teeth. You can also hold strawberry juice as long also possible in the mouth before swallowing it. It also helps to whiten the teeth.

Delicious and Healthy Strawberry Preparations

1. Wash strawberries
2. Cut away its green cap using a knife or a strawberry huller
3. Cut it in to 3-4 parts
4. Sprinkle sugar to sweeten them
5. Mix it well

Keep it in the refrigerator for at least two hours before serving

It is not only delicious but also healthy.

Strawberry Juice

Cut strawberries into 5-6 parts

Add 2 tsp of sugar

1 tbsp of vanilla

One cup of water

1 tbsp of lemon juice

Put all these ingredients in a blender. Blend it for a few minutes. Take it out and strain it. It will be delicious to drink.   

Strawberry Sauce

Mash a pint of strawberries with a potato masher till they are soft. It can also be mashed in a blender but has to be taken out before it becomes too soft. Then place it in a sauce pan. Add 2/3 cup of sugar, 8 tbsp of water and 2 tbsp of corn starch. Cook it over low heat till it starts to boil. Add a few strawberry slices to the mixture and stir it well. The sauce can be served hot or cold

Strawberry Jam

The ingredients for strawberry jam are

1 kg strawberries

1 kg sugar

1 lemon

1 tbsp of butter

1. Remove the hull of the strawberries and cut them into half.
2. Place them in a bowl and add sugar. Turn it over till it mixes well
3. Place it a in a freezer overnight
4. Transfer it in to a sauce pan and place it over low heat. Keep stirring it
5. Boil it for about half an hour till the jam reaches the setting point
6. The setting point can be determined by placing a drop of jam on a dry plate. 
7. Press the drop with a finger. If it wrinkles it has reached the setting point. If it runs, it has to be cooked for some more time.
8. After it reaches the setting point remove it and let it cool

It can be transferred to sterilized jars for storage. It can be stored for one year in a cool cupboard.

The above preparations make the healthy strawberry delicious too.