Food Fact Strawberry We know it is spring when we first see splashes of these scrumptious red berries in the produce section of our markets. Strawberries, the most attractive in the entire fruit kingdom have a succulent red colour, are shaped like hearts and have the best aroma. They help to put that final touch in any fruit basket that is decorated. They hail from the illustrious family of roses. So when your roots stretch to the king of flowers you are obviously going to inherit some of the looks! History Before strawberries were used as beauty aids or in ice-creams, they were used as a medicinal herb. Their first cultivation was in ancient Rome. In ancient lore it was a symbol of Venus, the Goddess of love, most likely due to its passionate color as well as its heart shape. Then it is no wonder that in France it is regarded as an aphrodisiac. For newly-weds you catch this aphrodisiac in their menus as a feature as cold strawberry soup. The United States of America, France, Italy, Japan, Australia and New Zealand are among the largest of commercial producers of strawberries. Health Factor Did you know that you are in luck if you are a strawberry lover and are calorie conscious? Strawberries knock up only 55 calories in one cup of fresh strawberries! They are packed with Vitamin C but if you crush or chop them the vitamin reduces considerably. They are also an excellent source of vitamin K, manganese, potassium, riboflavin, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, copper, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids and folic acid. Folic acid is what has been proven to reduce birth defects involving brain and nerve disorders like Alzheimer’s disease. So pregnant ladies eat these red strawberries and reduce your baby’s chance in these disorders. Everyone else should eat this so they don’t lose their precious memories. Strawberries are high antioxidants which help you combat heart disease, cancer and prevent/delay the onset of effects of aging. The high antioxidant levels in strawberries help neutralize the destructive free radicals which damage cells in the body and help to combat many kinds of cancer. The biggest benefit has to be that strawberries are one of the sources, along with grapes and cherries of allergic acid, a compound which has been shown to prevent carcinogens from turning healthy cells into cancerous cells. So don’t just eat for joy of the pleasure that it gives you but for your health too! Strawberry Consumption Doctors recommend five servings of fresh fruits and vegetables daily. Most people don’t even come close to that. Add fresh strawberries to your diets by eating them fresh or dipping them in a cocoa chocolate sauce as fondue! You can make a variety of jams, ice-cream/kulfi, milkshakes, lassi, fruit drink, cheesecakes, muffins, puddings, strawberry mousse, stuffed pancakes with strawberry sauce, preserves. The list is endless of the possibilities that are available to add this fruit to your servings! Strawberry Selection Strawberries are among the most versatile of fresh fruits but unfortunately they are quite perishable. So purchase fresh strawberries only a few days before they are eaten. When strawberries are in season locally this is rarely a problem but other times of the year if it is necessary to make due with frozen strawberries, they lose much if not all of their nutrition. Select bright red berries with their caps intact. They should be plump, firm and free of mould and have a deep red color. Unlike other fruits strawberries do not continue to ripen after they are picked so be sure to choose the ripest and reddest strawberry as this will provide the best taste and the highest nutrient density. If the tip is still white it is not as sweet and ripe as it can be. Strawberry Storage Strawberries should be eaten as soon as possible. Do not wash until you are ready to consume them. If you must store strawberries, place them on a paper towel in a tightly-covered container in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. They may also be frozen whole or in pieces in containers or zip-lock bags. Use within 1 year. For Facial Benefits and Teeth Whitening Strawberries have been a popular ingredient in commercial products especially in face washes and masks. However making your own fresh strawberry facial mask will not only yield all the benefits of strawberries but is cheaper and exposes sensitive skin to fewer products. Strawberries have a large amount of salicylic acid which when applied to the skin effectively removes dead and dry skin cells leaving skin softer and smoother. Additionally strawberries reduce facial redness, swelling and enables skin to absorb moisture. Many skin health experts recommend a facial mask on a weekly basis. Use this gentle mask to keep skin soft and glowing. Thoroughly puree 4 or 5 ripe strawberries, several teaspoons of heavy cream and 1 tsp. of honey. Apply the mixture to the face, being careful to avoid the lips and the eyes. Leave the mask on for 15 to 20 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water and pat dry. For teeth whitening at home you can use one ripe strawberry plus a teaspoon of baking powder which equals a natural teeth whitener. The secret is malic acid, the product of the mix, which is an astringent that can buff coffee and cigarette stains from the teeth. You should be careful as with all teeth whiteners that too much use can damage enamel. While professional teeth bleaching by your dentist will lead to better results, the strawberry method is a fast and cheap alternative. The benefits of strawberries are even more than the ones here... so if you don’t eat strawberries you are missing out on some joy and benefits for your body. Do yourself a favour and take some home!
Posted on: Tue, 09 Jul 2013 17:27:47 +0000
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