Strawberry - useful properties and contraindications

Strawberries are the very first natural berry to open the vitamin summer season. We love her for her taste, aroma and for the fact that she has “a lot of vitamins” that our body needs after the winter-spring period. Folk wisdom says to be healthy for a whole year, while fruiting strawberries, eat it at least a handful a day.

A bit of history

Strawberries are a direct “descendant” of the well-known wild strawberries, the taste and healing qualities of which have been known since ancient times. In the writings of Pliny the Elder, this plant is mentioned as wild, but suitable for human consumption. The ancient Romans learned to harvest strawberries first by pickling, and the Spaniards domesticated and began to grow it in their gardens. Starting from the 15th century, the plant began to be considered a berry crop, but it was not very popular due to the small size of the berries.

At the beginning of the 18th century, several bushes of unusual large wild strawberries were brought from Chile to France, from this moment the history of the well-known strawberry begins. Now this tasty berry is spread all over the world and is widely used in cooking and food industry, cosmetology and chemical industry, in traditional and folk medicine.

What is useful summer berry

In strawberries, there are extremely many substances required for the normal functioning of our body. This is a generous source of useful elements that strengthen immunity, raise vitality, as well as mental and physical activity. This berry contains:

• macroelements - calcium, magnesium, sulfur, potassium, chlorine and sodium;
• trace elements - boron, iron, copper, zinc, manganese, iodine, chromium and others;
• a whole set of useful organic acids, including malic, oxalic, citric and others;
• fructose and glucose;
• coloring and tannins;
• essential oils;
• vitamins C, A, E, groups B, H, K and PP.

Strawberry is a dietary product, its energy value is only 37 kcal per 100 g of weight. But with such a low calorie content, the berry contains a lot of fiber, which improves digestion, frees the gastrointestinal tract and lymph from toxins and toxins. Anthocyanins, which give strawberries its rich red color, stimulate memory, and serve as an excellent burner of body fat. Flavonoids and antioxidants are useful for the cardiovascular system, prolong youth and rid the body of free radicals. Magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and vitamin K strengthen the musculoskeletal system, and the remaining minerals are indispensable for the full functioning of the nervous and circulatory systems, brain activity, and are responsible for good mood and performance.

Strawberry improves immunity, has a general strengthening effect, has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which is widely used in the treatment of colds.

Despite the high percentage of carbohydrates, blood sugar levels practically do not increase, which makes this product indispensable in the diet of people suffering from diabetes.

Having good diuretic qualities, the berry is recommended for diseases of the genitourinary system, as well as for relieving edema.

Due to the presence of acids and biologically active substances, strawberries have the ability to dissolve and remove excess salt from the body, so it is useful to use it for arthritis and gout.

The regular presence in the diet of this fruit strengthens the blood vessels and muscles of the heart, which significantly reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke and other cardiac problems.

The substances contained in strawberry juice weaken the negative impact of stressful moments, help fight depression and sudden mood swings. It’s also a great cure for insomnia.

A number of elements in the composition of strawberries have a beneficial effect on the visual organs, reducing eye pressure, and have a good effect on the retina and lens.

This berry is considered a good aphrodisiac, that is, it stimulates and enhances sexual desire, helps both men and women to relax and get true pleasure from intimacy.

Strawberries have an excellent antitumor effect, and this has been proven by medical practitioners and scientists. The use of this product significantly reduces the risk of developing cancer cells.

Strawberry contraindications

Despite a number of positive qualities, strawberries have some contraindications for use. It is better to refrain from buying in the early berry bazaars. Like all plant products, the ripening of which occurs unnaturally, it is treated with chemicals and instead of benefit, you can get serious poisoning.

Strawberry berries are a strong allergen, so people suffering from hypersensitivity to the substances contained in this product should refuse to use. For the same reason, nursing mothers should be careful about strawberries; pediatricians do not recommend using juices and mashed potatoes as part of artificial feeding.

Do not abuse berries to pregnant women, because tonic properties can lead to uterine hypertonicity, which will lead to premature birth.

You will have to refuse a tasty treat for gastritis, an ulcer (including the duodenum), as well as other gastrointestinal diseases. A high content of organic acids irritates the gastric mucosa and can trigger an exacerbation.

In combination with medicines for hypertension, strawberries can cause an increased burden on the kidneys, which will negatively affect their functioning.

In other cases, it is necessary to eat strawberry berry and it is very useful, of course, while observing the measure. It is recommended to eat 400-500 g per day during the season, and for the whole year your body will be stocked with vitamins and other useful elements.

Application in cosmetology

The aroma and rich chemical composition make strawberries a popular ingredient in the production of perfumes, the manufacture of various shampoos, gels, scrubs, its fruit acids are widely used as natural raw materials for professional peels.

This berry is also used with great success in home cosmetology. Even in ancient times, women knew about her healing and anti-aging features in skin care. The presence of salicylic acid makes strawberries an excellent whitening agent, “suppresses” inflammatory processes, fights excessive sweating, tightens pores, and copes well with acne problems. Freshly squeezed juice helps with pigmentation of the skin and freckles (it is necessary to wipe problem areas daily).

The beneficial substances present in strawberry berries slow down aging, eliminate early wrinkles, and make the skin smooth, supple and attractive.

The easiest option, with which you can quickly refresh and moisturize your face - rub the half of the cut strawberries with gentle movements into the skin, leave for 20-25 minutes and rinse with warm water.

Home masks with the addition of sour cream, cottage cheese, honey and white clay can boast a very good effect. But for the desired result, it is always worth strictly adhering to the recipe.

Queen of desserts

Thanks to its excellent taste, strawberries are a welcome product in the culinary art. All kinds of mousses, gourmet desserts, various pastries sometimes can not do without this ingredient, and beautiful red berries serve as a wonderful decoration for cakes and pastries. It is better to use it fresh, since the delicate structure loses its attractiveness during prolonged heat treatment. The only exceptions are preparations for the winter - jams, jams and syrups. And strawberries can be frozen, so there are more vitamins, and in cold frosty evenings you can please yourself with a delicious flavor.

No wonder strawberries are called the berry queen. Possessing unique properties, a wonderful smell, sweet and juicy pulp, she is a universal favorite, and everyone is looking forward to the beginning of summer, when again you can enjoy a delicious and healthy berry.

Video: beneficial properties and vitamins of strawberries