Throughout the ages the strawberry has represented different things for different people. Due to its shape and colour, it was used as a symbol for Venus, the Goddess of Love. It represented perfection and righteousness to medieval stone masons which is why they carved in churches and cathedrals. The ancient Romans believed the fruit had tremendous medicinal value and they used it to treat a wide array of ailments.
More accurately known as a “false fruit”, the juicy red strawberry is in reality a repository of the strawberry flower. In fact it is not even a true berry, because true berries have seeds on the inside and each strawberry has roughly 200 seeds scattered around the outside. Despite the oddities, strawberries are widely loved all over the world.
Fast & Easy Strawberry Smoothie
Ingredients:
- 5-6 large strawberries
½ cup yogurt
Honey to taste
4 or 5 large ice cube
Directions:
Blend everything to a desired consistency and enjoy. If frozen strawberries are used, add half a cup of water instead of ice cubes.
Add-ons
- Bananas
Nutritional Information
Strawberries are loaded with nutritious vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. A 100 gram serving contains only 32 calories, 2 grams of dietary fiber, 91 grams of water, 7.7 grams of carbohydrates and 0.67 grams of protein. It contains negligible amount of fat and no cholesterol.
Among the vitamins it houses are vitamin A, C, B1, B2, B3, E, K and folate. It is also a potent source of minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, iron and zinc.
Health Benefits of Strawberry
Strawberries are full of antioxidants like anthocyanins and ellagitannins which are beneficial in reducing the risks of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Eating strawberries also helps to remove harmful substances from the blood. Additionally, they are good for averting inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Minerals like potassium and magnesium, which are found in abundant amounts in strawberries, are useful in reducing blood pressure. It is also believed that a number of compounds found in strawberries help to slow down the speed at which the brain ages, while the folates in the berries prevent birth defects.
The nitrates in strawberries have the potential of enhancing blood and oxygen flow to the muscles by seven per cent. This helps to minimize muscle fatigue, which means one can exercise for longer durations. According to tests, nitrate rich foods such as strawberries helped to burn more calories in dieting subjects, as opposed to those not eating strawberries.