Strawberries are here!
Sweet, delicious strawberries are here again. Every April through July you will find fresh strawberries ripe for the picking or at your local grocery store. When it comes to nutrition, you can rarely find a more power packed fruit.
Strawberries are extremely healthy, filled with vitamin C and many other nutrients. Low in calories, just eight strawberries (roughly 1 Cup) can provide more vitamin C than an orange, about 85 mg or 150 percent of your daily requirement. These little guys may warrant "superfood" status due to the massive amount of nutrients packed into the small package. They are a very great source of dietary fiber (3 grams per cup), iodine and folate. Plus, they are a good source of copper, potassium, biotin, phosphorus, magnesium and vitamin B6.
The colorful red pigments in strawberries called polyphenols are known for their antioxidant activity. Their antioxidants and phytochemicals can lower levels of inflammation in the joints which can reduce pain and increase mobility. One of the dietary flavonoids called anthocyanin in strawberries may benefit the heart by improving blood flow and plaque buildup, reducing blood pressure according to a recent study coming out of the Harvard School of Public Health. Due to their high potassium content, strawberries can negate the effects of sodium in the body and cause a lowering of blood pressure. This potassium also makes them great for athletes wanting to increase their electrolytes.
When shopping for strawberries, choose medium-sized berries that are firm, plump and deep red; once picked, they don't ripen further. As you're estimating your serving size, keep in mind that 8 large strawberries count as 1 cup.
If you love picking strawberries right out of the field here are some local U-Pick farms that you can enjoy with your family. I highly encourage it. My young adult children still remember picking berries together as a family.
* knappsongreenbluff.com/
* www.pickyourown.org/IDnorth.php
Here is a link to a refreshing strawberry sorbet recipe - one of my favorites:
* www.recipe.com/strawberry-sorbet/
Happy eating!
Dr. SeAnne Safaii, Ph.D., RDN, LD, is an associate professor at the University of Idaho.