The Wonders of Strawberries

Strawberries look like little hearts with their luscious bright red color and tempting sweet sweet smell. Who wouldn't fall in love with these cuties! These little wonders are known to protect your heart, increase HDL (good) cholesterol, lower your blood pressure, and guard against cancer.

Did you know that eight pieces of strawberries provides more vitamin c than oranges. It is also a good source of manganese and potassium making it among the top 20 fruits rich in anti-oxidants.

Packed with vitamins, fiber, and particularly high levels of antioxidants known as polyphenols, strawberries are a sodium-free, fat-free, cholesterol-free, low-calorie food.

Tips when buying strawberries:

Choose medium-sized berries that are firm, plump, and deep red.

History

First cultivated in ancient Rome, strawberries are now the most popular berry fruit in the world.

Strawberries mainly consist of water (91%) and carbohydrates (7.7%). They contain only minor amounts of fat (0.3%) and protein (0.7%).

The nutrients in 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of raw strawberries are:

• Calories: 32

• Water: 91%

• Protein: 0.7 grams

• Carbs: 7.7 grams

• Sugar: 4.9 grams

• Fiber: 2 grams

• Fat: 0.3 grams

Sources: WebMD, Healthline