Sorry that it’s been almost a whole week since I have posted anything! I wish I had a good excuse, but the truth is, I just haven’t felt very motivated to write. I don’t know if it’s the shift in weather? Winter is coming and it’s getting too cold too soon, and I am not happy about it!
Kortney and I have been faithfully keeping up with our hydration experiment all the same. The 8th week of our experiment, we went with strawberry. I have to say, I think this is one of my favorites, right up there with cucumber. We froze the strawberries first, and I don’t know if that helped release the flavor when it hit the water, but it was sweet and I enjoyed it thoroughly, as did Kortney.
From care2.com again, here are some facts and health benefits to strawberries; she had a lot of added facts such as the history of strawberries and some fun facts, which I am also sharing. Everything below is from her website. Enjoy the tell-all about strawberries!
The Strawberry is called ‘the queen of fruits” In Asian countries because it’s packed with health benefits. Compared to fruits like apples, oranges or bananas, strawberries have the highest amount of nutrients.
These juicy heart-shaped delights have much more to offer beyond sweetness and flavor. I consider them a powerfood.
“Strawberries are the angels of the earth, innocent & sweet with green leafy wings reaching heavenward.” – Jasmine Heiler
I love strawberries. I’m so happy when strawberries are finally in season and growing in my garden. They rarely make it to the fridge since I eat them as soon as I pick them.
10 Health Benefits of Strawberries
1. Helps burn stored fat
The red coloring contains anthocyanins, which stimulate the burning of stored fat. When a group of animals was fed a high-fat diet along with anthocyanins, they gained 24 percent less weight than the animals eating the high-fat diet without added anthocyanins. (The Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry)
2. Boost short-term memory
The anthocyanins boost short-term memory by 100 percent in eight weeks. (The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry)
3. Low in Calories – High in Fiber
One cup contains only 54 calories.
4. Ease Inflammation
Strawberries lower blood levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a signal of inflammation in the body. In a study, women who ate 16 or more strawberries per week were 14 percent less likely to have elevated levels of CRP. (Harvard School of Public Health.)
5. Lower cardiovascular disease
Flavonoids — which are responsible for the colour and flavour of strawberries — lower the risk for heart disease.
6. Promote bone health
Strawberries contain potassium, vitamin K and magnesium which are important for bone health.
7. Prevent oesophageal cancer
Studies show freeze-dried strawberry powder may help prevent human oesophageal cancer.
8. Anti-aging properties
Strawberries are filled with biotin, which helps build strong hair and nails. They also contain the antioxidant ellagic acid, which protects the elastic fibers in our skin to prevent sagging.
9. Good for weight loss
The compound nitrate found promotes blood flow and oxygen in our body, which is great for weight loss.
10. Promote eye health
Eating three or more servings of fruit like strawberries may lower the risk of macular degeneration, a condition resulting in vision loss. (Archives of Ophthalmology)
Strawberry Nutrition
Strawberries are considered one of the healthiest fruits. They are packed with antioxidants, lower blood pressure and protect your heart. Packed with essential vitamins and minerals, they are also sodium, cholesterol and fat-free.
There are 54 calories in 1 cup of strawberries (sliced, 166g) which is 1/3 the amount of calories in a banana.
History of Strawberries
Strawberries have grown wild throughout the world for a long time.
- 234 B.C – There’s evidence that strawberries grew wild in Italy.
- 1300 – France began cultivating strawberries for use as a medicinal herb.
- 1400 – European monks start using strawberries for their illuminated manuscripts.
- 1500s – Cultivation of the strawberry became more common. People began using it for its supposed medicinal properties.
- 1588 – Strawberries were discovered in Virginia by the first Europeans when their ships landed there.
- 1643 – Early settlers in Massachusetts enjoyed eating strawberries grown by local American Indians who cultivated strawberries.
- Late 18th century – First garden strawberry was grown in France.
- 1835 – First American strawberries were cultivated.
- 1900’s – California began growing strawberries and now produces 80 percent of the strawberries in the U.S., amounting to one billion pounds of strawberries a year!
Fun and Interesting Facts about Strawberries
- Folklore states that if you split a double strawberry in half and share it with the opposite sex, you’ll soon fall in love.
- There are more than 600 varieties of strawberries that differ in flavor, size and texture.
- Strawberry designs are carved in medieval stone masons as the sign of perfection and righteousness. These designs are often carved on altars or around the top pillars in cathedrals and churches.
- The strawberry was a symbol for Venus, the Goddess of Love, because it’s often heart-shaped and has a rich, red color.
- Madame Tallien, known as the pronounced figure at the court of Emperor Napoleon, was popular for bathing in the strawberry juice of 22 pounds of strawberries.
- Legend has been told that strawberries were named by English children who picked, strung it on grass straws and sold them as “straws of berries.”
- Strawberries belong to the family of rose, along with apples and plums.
- Strawberries are not classified as berries. Blueberries and raspberries have seeds inside while strawberries have their seeds outside.
- Strawberries were once thought to be an aphrodisiac and were served in soups to newlyweds in 13th century France.
- Ancient Romans used strawberries to alleviate symptoms of fainting, fevers, throat infections, kidney stones, halitosis, attacks of gout, and diseases of the blood, liver and spleen.
- At Wimbledon each year, strawberries and cream are eaten between tennis matches by properly attired English.
