Is there any benefit in strawberries. Strawberries - the beneficial properties of fragrant berries for our health
In summer, life is seething and moving inexorably. And summer is the most right time to replenish the vitamin reserves that our body has "lost" over the long winter. One of the sources of beneficial vitamins is strawberries. And today we will talk about it.
I will tell you what kind of strawberry is, about the benefits or harms of this "storehouse natural vitamins”, about the “strawberry” diet. So, let's begin.
What kind of berry is a strawberry?
The name "strawberry" comes from the Latin "fragaria vesca", which means fragrant or fragrant. Although the aroma of strawberries, in comparison with its sister strawberry, is more restrained, it has no less nutrients and beneficial vitamins.
It's perennial herbaceous plant, is grown almost everywhere. Strawberries have sweet red berries with white flesh. Very tasty and rich nutrients fruit, medicinal properties which have been known to us since ancient times.
About the benefits and harms of strawberries
Useful properties of strawberries
First of all, strawberries are, of course, a wonderful dessert, but this berry is no less actively used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes.
Strawberries are rightfully considered one of the main sources of minerals for our body, in addition, they contain whole complex vitamins, including C and B5, chemical composition characterizes the content of iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium, zinc, manganese, phosphorus, silicon, copper. It is also rich in folic acid. It is also rich in potassium, calcium, zinc, phosphorus, copper and silicon.
Another useful property is that strawberries have a good effect on the digestive system, improve appetite, and have a diuretic and diaphoretic effect. Due to the fact that strawberries have a sufficient amount of minerals in their chemical composition, the body is cleansed and, thanks to the content of antioxidants, the aging process slows down. AT folk medicine strawberries are used in the treatment of anemia, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and uterine bleeding.
With beriberi - strawberries are simply irreplaceable. Strawberries are also able to "defeat" the pathogens of various intestinal infections, as well as pneumococcus, staphylococcus aureus and influenza virus. Due to the fact that strawberries provide positive effect on the metabolic processes iodine, it is taken in the treatment of Graves' disease. It also helps with obesity, enhancing metabolic processes. Another indisputable plus is one of the organic acids contained in the strawberry helps to neutralize the cancerous effects of smoking. So, for those who smoke - this berry is especially useful. In the treatment of certain diseases, infusions of leaves and berries are used.
Healing infusions
1. Infusion of fresh berries. Pour 2 tablespoons of ripe berries with a glass of boiling water, insist in a thermos for 30 minutes, strain. Take as a diuretic and diaphoretic half a cup before meals. It is also recommended that rinsing with such an infusion of the oral cavity for sore throats.
2. Infusion of dry and fresh leaves. Pour 1-2 tablespoons of crushed leaves with boiling water, insist in a thermos for at least 40 minutes, strain and take orally as a hemostatic agent for hemorrhoidal bleeding.
Who should not have strawberries or should be careful
Do not be tempted to eat your favorite dessert, people suffering from peptic ulcer or gastritis, as strawberry seeds greatly irritate the gastric mucosa. People with joint diseases are also not recommended to indulge in this berry, as this will exacerbate the problem of arthritic pain.
Should be be careful people taking medications for high blood pressure based on enapril. Strawberries with enapril are a big load on the kidneys.
allergy to strawberries
Strawberries have a porous structure, therefore, like “honeycombs”, they accumulate pollen, which is what causes allergies. So if you have allergies, beware. Before you eat strawberries - remember what was written above.
strawberry diet
As a dietary product, strawberries have two undeniable advantages:
1. Has a laxative effect
2. Low calorie
Well, in the end, why not take advantage of the strawberry season and combine business with pleasure.
The strawberry diet menu looks something like this:
Monday. We will have breakfast with a glass of milk and 100 g of strawberries. At lunch you can treat yourself 150 g chicken breast steamed beets and one toast. We have dinner with a salad of greens with boiled potatoes, tomato, cucumber and strawberries, for dessert cheese with strawberries.
Tuesday.
For breakfast, the same as on Monday. For lunch, steamed potatoes and carrots and 150 g of fish, toast. For dinner - a salad of radish, lettuce, fennel, arugula. You can pamper yourself with a glass of kefir with strawberries.
Wednesday.
We have breakfast as usual. For lunch, vegetable salad, 50 grams of ham, steamed artichoke, 1 toast. For dinner, a salad of greens, you can afford an omelet from two eggs, for dessert - 5 sweet strawberries.
Thursday
. Breakfast as in previous days. We have lunch with steamed strawberries and fresh herbs. The same for dinner.
Friday
. We have breakfast out of habit with 100 g of strawberries and a glass of milk. We have lunch with steamed cod and cauliflower, 1 toast. For dinner, I offer a salad of greens and for dessert, strawberries with 50 g of cottage cheese.
Saturday . We have breakfast, as always, with strawberries and milk. We have lunch with vegetable soup, pamper ourselves with a piece of veal and 1 toast. We have dinner with a green salad with boiled potatoes and a hard-boiled egg, for dessert 5 fresh strawberries.
Sunday . Breakfast is always strawberries and milk. We have lunch with a green salad, pea soup and a piece of fish. For dinner, an omelette of two eggs, green salad. For dessert, strawberries.
It is a pleasure to sit on such a strawberry diet and it is tasty and healthy.
In conclusion, I would like to remind you that before eating, strawberries must be thoroughly washed with running water in order to avoid unpleasant consequences.
Almost on any suburban area you can find delicious healthy berries and fruit, but strawberries are the most common. It takes root perfectly in our conditions and does not require excessive effort in the care.
Let's find out what exactly the fruits of the plant are valued for, how they can be eaten, and what contraindications should not be forgotten.
Calorie content and chemical composition
Today, gardeners grow a wide variety of strawberry varieties, each of which has its own individual characteristics. Of course, in terms of calorie content, the fruits will differ somewhat from each other, but these differences are not critical. Anyway, per 100 g harvested berries accounted for only 41 kcal, combining 0.8 g of proteins, 7.5 g of carbohydrates, 0.4 g of fat. 
In addition, do not forget about such useful components, as (about 1.2 mg), - 1 µg, - 2 µg, - 140 µg, etc. Organic acids in strawberries are about 1.3 g, - 40 mg, - 18 mg, - 16 mg, - 18 mg. It is also impossible not to recall the presence of a large number of vitamins: (5 mg), (0.03 mg), (0.5 mg), (0.3 mg), (0.06 mg), (20 mcg), ( 60 mg), (0.5 mg).
Did you know? Strawberries are considered to be a berry, although, in fact, this is not so. From the point of view of botany, it is considered a polynutlet - a receptacle with small yellow nuts "scattered" over the surface.
The benefits of strawberries for the body
Strawberries are definitely useful product, and its benefits are noticeable both in relation to adults and children. The main value lies in the rich mineral and vitamin composition, through which it is possible to increase protective functions human body. So, for example, known in strawberries is already 60 mg per 100 grams, which is much more than in the same. 
This component is one of most strong antioxidants
. Together with the other above components, vitamin C not only strengthens the general, but also helps the body recover from illnesses.
Among other things, the described “false berry” has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system, increases the elasticity of blood vessels, improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, and even fights constipation. However, this is still far from full list strengths strawberries, because their specific positive impact it affects the male, female and children's organisms, which we will discuss further.
Women
Few people know, but regular seasonal eating strawberries reduces the risk of heart attack among the fair sex, which in itself is a significant advantage, even if you do not make out which vitamins it contains.
With a closer study of the composition of this “not quite a berry”, it is easy to notice the presence of flavonoids in it - substances that help expand blood vessels and prevent the formation of plaques on their walls, which, in turn, reduces the risk of developing such a popular female disease as varicose veins veins. 
Thanks to a significant number folic acid, strawberries can be considered an indispensable product on your table in preparation for conception and in the early stages of pregnancy, when the neural tube of the fetus is forming. Moreover, the soft fiber included in the composition helps to improve the functioning of the intestines, which is especially important for the so-called "problems with the toilet" (pregnant women usually complain more about constipation).
The diuretic effect of strawberries ensures a gentle and rapid elimination from the body. excess fluid without increasing the burden on the kidneys. This property is especially useful in late pregnancy, when the likelihood of swelling is especially high. Therefore, if you are not yet sure whether it is possible for pregnant women to eat strawberries, then you can be calm about its effect on the body.
Important! In everything it is worth knowing the measure, especially if the pregnant woman is prone to allergic reactions or manifestations of dermatitis. Depending on the strength of the manifestation of such conditions, one can either talk about reducing the amount of berries consumed, or about complete failure from her. You should choose only berries harvested in season, otherwise there is a serious opportunity to purchase products with highly undesirable chemical additives.
Strawberries help non-pregnant women fight obesity and pronounced, because it is a good component of a wide variety of diets. If you wish, you can even arrange for yourself fasting days on one strawberry, eating about 1.5 kg per day. Believe me, the results will not be long in coming. 
And finally, one cannot help but recall the wonderful cosmetic properties beloved by many berries. There are just a lot of recipes for making strawberry masks that can make the skin supple, whiten it and tighten stretched pores. At proper preparation you will have strawberries excellent tool to eliminate and some skin diseases (for example, lichen), as well as the fight against.
An adult is recommended to eat at least 5 kg of these fruits in one season, but if you do not have time to do this, do not be discouraged. At correct workpiece for the winter, you can enjoy strawberries in the cold season (usually they freeze it).
men
The main benefit of strawberries for men lies in their ability to increase libido and sexual activity which can be achieved thanks to high content. It is he who has a beneficial effect on the organization of the hormonal system, so the relevance of strawberries in the treatment of problems such as prostatitis, impotence and adenoma is beyond doubt.
We must not forget about the benefits of these fruits in strengthening, which is important for both women and men and children. In all these cases, the mentioned vitamin C contributes to the development of the body's natural defenses and increases its resistance to viruses. 
Men who regularly consume strawberries (in the season of its ripening) are much less likely to suffer from problems with the digestive system and liver, since the “false berries” contain substances that help tone the organs and cleanse them of toxins.
Strawberries are eaten with anything, and not only in fresh, but also dried or in the form of . Tails from fruits will also come in handy in the household, because in dried form they can be safely brewed with tea, thanks to which it will not only gain more nice smell, but also saturate the body with such important vitamin C, and also replenish iodine reserves. The main thing is to properly perform the drying process and prevent the appearance of mold.
Did you know? In some cases, strawberries help to cope with, since in its composition there are substances close to the components of the usual aspirin. Therefore, if your head starts to hurt, and there are no pills at hand, just eat a few handfuls of these fragrant fruits.
children
We have already found out how strawberries are useful for the male and female body, but this berry is very loved by many children. Its benefit for the younger generation, as in other cases, is to strengthen the immune forces of the body and the ability to relieve inflammation, which is especially useful in the treatment of stomatitis and sore throats (freshly squeezed strawberry juice or infusion prepared from the leaves of the plant is used for gargling). 
Another question is, from what age and how often can strawberries be given to a child, introducing it into the baby's diet. Here the opinion of pediatricians is almost unanimous, because most of them claim that best time for such an addition to the main menu - the season of berries after the first birthday of the crumbs. At this time, the child's digestive system is already adjusting its work, and the immune system will not react so strongly to red foods.
As with the introduction of any other product into the diet, with strawberries it is also worth observing some caution rules:
- feeding the baby is introduced in small portions in order to prevent undesirable reactions to a new product in time;
- it is advisable to give the child strawberries in the morning and not to combine with other "novelties" in the diet;
- keep a close eye on any allergic manifestations or change in stool.
Simply put, for starters, just a few small berries a day will be enough, and it is better to combine them with milk porridges already familiar to the baby. and other products based on it neutralize the action of allergens, which means that there will be much less chance of getting an allergy.
Important! Before giving the baby strawberries, it is recommended to scald it with boiling water, pour clean hot water over it and wait until it is infused. If the baby’s body reacts well to the resulting juice, then a little pulp can be added to the water, and then a fresh berry. However, in any case, do not give your baby more than 2-3 pieces a day.
What can be done and what is combined with
Strawberries are great for making the most various dishes and preserves, although it will be no less tasty in its raw form. It can be ground together with other fruits and berries, added to milkshakes or cereals, and also used to create a wide variety of desserts, including pastries. Some housewives regularly use it to prepare fruit salads and even first or second courses, but the season of this berry is quite short, so it is advisable to have time to prepare it for the cold period. 
Folk recipes
AT not traditional medicine there is just a mass healthy recipes helping a person cope with various problems organism. Usually they are all based on the use of various medicinal herbs, so it may come as a surprise to you that ordinary strawberries can be used for this purpose. For the preparation of medicinal potions, not only the fruits are suitable, but also the leaves of the plant, which also have a number of useful properties, and in order to exclude the possible bad influence on the body, it is enough to know about the existing contraindications.
Strawberry leaf tea
Dried leaves of the described false berry are the first raw materials for the preparation of fragrant and fragrant ones, although fruits and even strawberry roots are considered no less in demand.
To make tea, first of all, you need properly prepare the leaves of the plant collected in August or September, when fruiting has already ended. The drying process takes place traditional way- in a shaded and well-ventilated place, after which the raw materials are removed in glass jars and close the neck with a clean paper sheet (canvas bags are also suitable as an alternative). Immediately before use, already dry leaves are broken into 2-4 parts and teas and infusions are prepared from them.
Important! For brewing strawberry leaves, a porcelain teapot is best, in which two large leaves should have about 1 cup of boiling water to make tea.
As soon as the tea in the teapot is well infused (usually it takes 5-10 minutes), honey or sugar can be added to it to make it tastier to drink 2-3 times a day. This drink will contain a large number of vitamin C, have a mild diuretic effect and promote. That is why it is often recommended to people suffering from inflammatory diseases Bladder, congestion in gallbladder, and the flu. 
Diuretic infusion
For kidney problems or urinary system, to prepare an infusion for 1 kg of freshly picked berries, take 100 g of sugar and, after mixing, place it in to stack the juice. The result is a very tasty sweet drink, almost ready to drink (you just need to drain the juice into a separate container). Ready infusion is consumed 100 g half an hour before a meal. Regular consumption of this drink will take out the stones and drive away urolithiasis enough to complete full course reception, lasting one month.
In addition, another recipe based on strawberries or fruits will help to increase urination and eliminate puffiness. All that is needed is to place a small handful of berries in a saucepan and pour them with one glass of boiling water, after which the mixture is left to infuse for 30 minutes, decanted and consumed 100 ml before meals (three times a day). 
Infusion for insomnia and neurosis
Who would have thought, but strawberries are an excellent tool for eliminating neuroses and fighting. At the same time, you can simply eat a handful of fresh berries before bed and prepare a special healing infusion, in which, in addition to the fruits mentioned, other useful ingredients will be used.
For example, the following recipe is very successful: for 1 glass of strawberries you will need 1 tablespoon of oatmeal, 3 of the same tablespoons of water, a tablespoon, and the same amount of dried fruits. The healing potion is being prepared in the following way: for several hours, oatmeal is infused in water, after which mashed strawberries and sour cream are added to them. The resulting mixture must be very well stirred and only then add chopped nuts and dried fruits. Of course, such a dish will have to be prepared daily, but it will be possible to eat it in two or three doses, a few hours before.
Recipes for homemade face masks
Apart from internal use, the benefits of strawberries are also manifested when it is applied externally to, especially in the face area. from this berry can be prepared both with its use, and in combination with other components, but in any case it will be very useful for the skin. 
Many women have experienced from their own experience all the benefits of these fruits, because they are, indeed, capable of bleach skin covering, eliminate pigmentation, shrink pores, eliminate acne and simply nourish the skin for its best appearance.
Important! Before you decide to prepare a strawberry mask, make sure that there are no skin lesions, allergic reactions or rosacea. Finished product it is better to test it on the wrist first, and if no reaction follows (itching, rash, etc.), then you can safely proceed to applying the mask to the face.
by the most simple option preparation of a strawberry mask will be rubbing the pulp for its further application to the face and décolleté. The finished mixture is left for 10 minutes. If you have dry or sensitive skin, then it is better to pre-mix the pulp with heavy cream or sour cream, then use ready-made mixtures several times a week. Strawberry hair masks can make them shine healthy look protecting from falling out. In this case, prepare useful mixture can be as follows: the crushed pulp is mixed with burdock or, with the addition of or cream to them, after which the resulting carefully ground mass is applied to and put on plastic bag additionally wrapping the head with a towel. The mask is washed off after 1-1.5 hours, using your usual shampoo.
In fact, there are a lot of such recipes, and you can just put a few pieces of ripe, fresh strawberries on the area around the eyes (for about 10 minutes), or use components such as cream, vegetable oils, etc. to prepare the mask. e. One of the most popular options would be to mix strawberries with sour cream, and average duration exposure of the mask on the face or in the decollete area is approximately 10-20 minutes.
Did you know? On our continent, the plant that is popular today appeared only in the 18th century. Strawberries were brought here from South America, although wild strawberries(her very close relative) our ancestors have been collecting since time immemorial.
Contraindications and harm
No matter how well they speak about a particular product, do not forget about possible contraindications to its application, because what is ideal for one person may not be suitable for another at all. This statement, of course, also applies to strawberries, and it's not just about a possible allergic reaction. 
So, to the main contraindications for use this "not quite a berry" should be attributed to:
- the possibility of the mentioned allergic manifestation;
- the use of drugs in hypertension(at simultaneous reception strawberries will inhibit the performance of the kidneys);
- stomach ulcer and duodenum, gastritis (small strawberry grains irritate the already inflamed walls of organs);
- uterine hypertonicity in women during pregnancy (the mentioned plant itself has a tonic effect, and in this situation this can lead to serious problems);
- lactation period in women (up to the age of seven months for the baby, since allergens can enter the child's body along with mother's milk);
- children's age up to one year (after that, strawberry puree can be introduced as complementary foods, but only in small quantities to avoid an allergic reaction).
In addition, in order to avoid possible troubles associated with the consumption of strawberries, it is important to remember a few simple rules: before eating, always wash the fruits well, even if they seem clean to you, mix them mainly with dairy products (in this case, oxalic acid will bind to the present in strawberries calcium and protect bone tissue from destruction). Also, do not eat berries on an empty stomach (possibly irritating the stomach) or get carried away with them too much, eating a large amount at a time.
In general, seasonal strawberries are a good storehouse of useful and vitamins, which, if possible, should be stocked up for months in advance, and in order to protect yourself from any problems, it is enough to listen to the above recommendations.
Which of the adults and children does not like to eat the first berry of summer - strawberries? It is so nice in the morning, while the dew on the grass has not dried up under the hot sun, to run to the garden and pick sweet, slightly sour berries ... But in addition to high taste, this summer berry has a lot of useful properties - it even helps to cope with some diseases!
Composition of strawberries, nutritional value
Nutritional value of 100 g:
- Calories: 41 kcal
- Proteins: 0.8 gr
- Fats: 0.4 gr
- Carbohydrates: 7.5 gr
- Dietary fiber: 2.2 gr
- Organic acids: 1.3 gr
- Water: 87.4 gr
- Mono- and disaccharides: 7.4 g
- Starch: 0.1 gr
- Ash: 0.4 gr
Macronutrients:
- Calcium: 40 mg
- Magnesium: 18 mg
- Sodium: 18 mg
- Potassium: 161 mg
- Chlorine: 16 mg
- Sulfur: 12 mg
Vitamins:
- Vitamin PP: 0.3 mg
- Beta-carotene: 0.03 mg
- Vitamin A (RE): 5 mcg
- Vitamin B1 (thiamine): 0.03 mg
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin): 0.05 mg
- Vitamin B5 (pantothenic): 0.3 mg
- Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine): 0.06 mg
- Vitamin B9 (folic): 20 mcg
- Vitamin C: 60 mg
- Vitamin E (TE): 0.5 mg
- Vitamin H (biotin): 4 mcg
- Vitamin PP ( Niacin equivalent): 0.4 mg
Trace elements:
- Iron: 1.2 mg
- Zinc: 0.097 mg
- Iodine: 1 mcg
- Copper: 125 mcg
- Manganese: 0.2 mg
- Chromium: 2 mcg
- Fluoride: 18 mcg
- Molybdenum: 10 mcg
- Boron: 185 mcg
- Vanadium: 9 mcg
- Cobalt: 4 mcg
- Nickel: 2 mcg
The first berry of summer contains a balanced combination of vitamins and minerals. Everyone is well aware that strawberries contain, but few people guess - 5 berries contain as much of it as one orange! But there is even more folic acid in strawberries than in raspberries.
The composition of the summer berry includes iodine - this is generally surprising for such plants, and scientists have also identified pectin, fiber, iron, sucrose and fructose in the composition of strawberries. Moreover, it contains much more fructose than sucrose - it is not surprising that strawberries are also allowed for use by diabetics, although in limited quantities.
The composition of the product in question contains practically no proteins and fats, but it contains a large amount of easily digestible carbohydrates - is this not a reason to include a berry in the diet menu?
The calorie content of strawberries is also very low. This is not enough for the deposition / buildup of body fat, but it will be quite enough to replenish the body's energy.
The benefits of strawberries
It is very useful to use strawberries for pregnant women - it contains the very folic acid on which it depends. intrauterine development fetus. And it is also useful to use strawberries for children - it helps to improve the functioning of the brain.
Very positive influence renders the product in question and to work thyroid gland- iodine contained in 7 strawberries is enough to get daily dose this substance.
Eating strawberries will also have a beneficial effect on the health of people diagnosed with:
- non-healing wounds on the skin;
- liver diseases;
- rheumatism and diseases of the joints.
It is very useful to use the first summer berry for those people who are weakened, have frequent relapses colds. Do not ignore strawberries and diseases of the oral cavity - this applies to. Fresh strawberries effectively suppress, so this product can be recommended as a prophylaxis during epidemics.
Not only berries are useful - in recipes from the category of traditional medicine, the leaves of this plant are often mentioned. It turns out that a decoction from this part of a strawberry bush will help normalize blood pressure - drinking 200 ml of decoction every day, you can even cope with a stable one. By the way, the same decoction, together with fresh berries helps with cardiovascular diseases, saves from heartburn and insomnia.
Harm of strawberries
First of all, doctors warn that strawberries are the strongest allergen. Therefore, before you start eating a berry, you need to make sure that there is no individual intolerance / hypersensitivity to this product. By the way, pregnant women also need to be careful - even if future mother there is no allergy to strawberries, this does not mean that it will not appear in the baby in the future.
The second warning is that strawberries contain citric and malic acids, and they can provoke an exacerbation of chronic hyperacidity gastric juice, aggravate peptic ulcer and / or duodenal ulcer. Therefore, with such diseases, strawberries are highly undesirable.
Strawberries are categorically contraindicated with, unknown etiology and chronic appendicitis, gouty arthritis(although for some other joint diseases, the product in question is very desirable to include in the diet).
Note:if a person is forced to regularly take medications that help lower blood pressure, then strawberries should not be consumed against this background. The fact is that in such a combination, the product in question will have too negative an effect on the functioning of the kidneys and urinary system.
Below we have collected the most Interesting Facts about the first berry of summer.
Strawberries are the only berry in the world that has seeds not inside, but outside.
The berry tastes very sweet, but there is practically no sugar in it - even in lemon there is more of it!
If a woman suffers from the presence of freckles on her face, then a mask of crushed strawberries will make them almost invisible.
In strawberries, in a small amount, there are substances that have analgesic properties - 200 g of the product can remove headache, which arose against the background of fatigue and lack of sleep.
The berry in question was brought to Europe only at the end of the 18th century, before that our ancestors were well acquainted with wild strawberries.
To reduce an allergic reaction to strawberries, it is better to drink it with milk. You can improvise - for example, use this sweet summer berry with sour cream or cream, it is important that there is a specified combination of "strawberries + any dairy product."
The color of the berry directly depends on the amount of vitamins in it - the brighter the strawberry, the more beneficial it is for the body.
Everyone loves strawberries, but you need to know and harmful properties this berry - protect yourself from negative impact some substances are essential.
Strawberries are the very first natural berry that opens 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 whole year while strawberries bear fruit, eat at least a handful of them a day.
A bit of history
Strawberries are a direct "descendant" of the well-known wild strawberries, the taste and medicinal 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 were the first to learn how to harvest strawberries by pickling, and the Spaniards domesticated and began to grow them in their gardens. Starting from the 15th century, the plant began to be considered a berry crop, but it was not very popular because of the small size of the berries.
At the beginning of the 18th century, several bushes of unusual large strawberries were brought from Chile to France, from that moment the history of the already well-known strawberries begins. Now this delicious berry is distributed 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
Strawberries are extremely rich in substances required for normal operation our body. This is a generous source. useful elements, which strengthen the immune system, raise vitality as well as mental and physical activity. This berry contains:
- macronutrients - 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;
- dyes and tannins;
- essential oils;
- vitamins C, A, E, groups B, H, K and PP.
Strawberry is dietary product, her the 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 processes, frees gastrointestinal tract and lymph from toxins. Anthocyanins, which give strawberries their rich red color, stimulate memory, and serve as an excellent fat burner. Flavonoids and antioxidants are beneficial for of cardio-vascular system prolong youth and relieve the body of free radicals. Magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and vitamin K strengthen musculoskeletal system and other minerals are indispensable for full-fledged work nervous and circulatory systems, brain activity, are responsible for good mood and performance.
Strawberries increase immunity, have a tonic effect, have 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 rise, which makes this product indispensable in the diet of people with diabetes.
Possessing good diuretic qualities, the berry is recommended for diseases genitourinary system, as well as to relieve swelling.
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 of this fruit in the diet has a strengthening effect on blood vessels and heart muscles, which significantly reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke and other cardiac problems.
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 good aphrodisiac that is, it stimulates and enhances sex drive, helps both men and women to liberate themselves and get real pleasure from intimacy.
Strawberries have excellent antitumor effect, and this has been proven by practitioners and scientists. The use of this product significantly reduces the risk of developing cancer cells.
Despite a number of positive qualities, strawberries have some contraindications for use. It is better to refrain from buying early berries in the markets. Like all plant products, the ripening of which occurs in an unnatural way, it is processed with chemicals and, instead of being useful, you can get serious poisoning.
Strawberries are a strong allergen, so people suffering from hypersensitivity substances contained in this product should be avoided. For the same reason, nursing mothers should be wary of strawberries; pediatricians do not advise using juices and purees from it as part of artificial complementary foods.
Pregnant women should not abuse the berries, because the tonic properties can lead to uterine hypertonicity, which will lead to premature birth.
You will have to give up tasty treats with gastritis, an ulcer (including the duodenum), as well as other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Great content organic acids irritate the gastric mucosa and can provoke an exacerbation.
In conjunction with medicines from hypertension, strawberries can cause increased load on the kidneys, which will negatively affect their functioning.
In other cases, it is necessary to eat a 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, fruit acids are widely used as natural raw materials for professional peels.
With great success, this berry is also used in home cosmetology. Even in ancient times, women knew about its healing and rejuvenating features in skin care. Availability salicylic acid makes strawberries an excellent bleaching agent, "extinguishes" inflammatory processes, fights excess sweating, tightens pores, copes well with problems acne. From skin pigmentation and freckles, freshly squeezed juice perfectly helps (it is necessary to wipe problem areas with it daily).
Useful substances present in strawberries slow down aging, eliminate early wrinkles, make the skin smooth, supple and attractive.
The easiest option with which you can quickly refresh and moisturize your face is to rub half of the cut strawberries into the skin with gentle movements, leave for 20-25 minutes and rinse with warm water.
Highly good effect homemade masks with the addition of sour cream, cottage cheese, honey and white clay can boast. But for the desired result, you should always strictly adhere to the recipe.
Dessert Queen
Thanks to excellent palatability strawberry is a desirable product in culinary arts. All sorts of mousses, delicious desserts, various pastries sometimes cannot do without this ingredient, and beautiful red berries serve as a wonderful decoration for cakes and pastries. It is better to use it fresh, as the delicate structure loses its attractiveness with prolonged use. heat treatment. The only exceptions are preparations for the winter - jams, jams and syrups. And you can also freeze strawberries, so more vitamins are stored, and on cold frosty evenings, please yourself with a fragrant yummy.
No wonder strawberries are called the berry queen. Possessing unique properties, wonderful smell, sweet and juicy pulp, it is a universal favorite, and everyone is looking forward to the beginning of summer, when again it will be possible to enjoy an appetizing and healthy berry.
Video: useful properties and vitamins of strawberries
This fruit is loved by adults and children, juices, jams are made from it, added to cookies and sweets. Today we will talk about the benefits of strawberries, its properties, composition and use in folk and traditional medicine. You will learn a lot about the familiar berry, which can be used not only for food purposes, but also for the treatment of diseases and ailments.
Calorie content and composition of strawberries
Strawberries contain a large amount of vitamins and minerals that our body needs so much. However, it is worth remembering that the composition described below applies only to environmentally friendly strawberries that have grown on uncontaminated soil without the use of growth accelerators and pesticides.
It's worth starting with a huge vitamin "complex" that fits in a red berry:
- vitamin A;
- vitamins B1, B2, B3, B9;
- biotin;
- vitamin C;
- vitamin E.
- iron;
- manganese;
- copper;
- fluorine;
- molybdenum;
- cobalt;
- selenium;
- zinc and others.
There are also macronutrients that are part of the strawberry pulp:
- potassium;
- calcium;
- magnesium;
- chlorine;
- phosphorus;
- sulfur;
- sodium.
100 g of fresh berries contain no more than 37 kcal. Accordingly, 1 kg of strawberries is equal in calories to 100 g of fatty pork.
100 g of strawberries contain 0.8 g of protein, 0.4 g of fat and 7.5 g of carbohydrates.
Important! Strawberries only fresh low calorie. For example, the calorie content of strawberry jam is 7.5 times greater than that of fresh berries. At the same time, after processing, part of the vitamins and trace elements disappear.
The effect of strawberries on the body
The substances contained in strawberries bring an invaluable benefit to the human body. The berry "supplies" the necessary vitamins and minerals, gives energy and positive emotions.
men
Strawberries contain very valuable element- zinc. It affects the work and activity of the reproductive system. Thus, in your garden you can grow natural aphrodisiac in the form of a strawberry.
Important! Zinc is used in traditional medicine as part of preparations for impotence, prostatitis and adenoma.
In addition to the benefits for the reproductive system, vitamin C, which is part of the berry, increases stability immune system to diseases, strengthening the body.
Women
Strawberries are a valuable product not only for men, but also for women. During pregnancy female body there are not enough vitamins and microelements, since everything valuable goes to the child. The berry not only replenishes the reserves of vitamins, but also has a positive effect on the general condition:
- lowers blood pressure (useful in the third trimester of pregnancy);
- eliminates constipation and has a positive effect on digestion;
- eliminates fetal hypoxia, which appears due to a lack of vitamins;
- strengthens blood vessels, reducing the risk of uterine bleeding.
In addition to benefits during pregnancy, women will a real panacea masks from strawberries that nourish the skin and cleanse the pores.
Now you know the benefits of strawberries for women, but it is worth remembering that in the first months of pregnancy you need to use strawberries with extreme caution and, preferably, after consulting a doctor.
Important! Strawberries should not be abused, as they can cause skin rash or, if pregnant, harm the baby.
children
Many people know about the benefits of strawberries for children, but it is worth remembering that it is impossible to give it to a baby who is under two years old. At the age of 7 years, strawberries should be given to children a little bit, no more than 100-150 g per day. The whole point is that strawberries often cause allergic reactions, especially in children.
Important! Giving children imported or early strawberries is strictly prohibited!
For child's body strawberries are valuable, first of all, for the presence of iron, which increases hemoglobin levels and makes the child less vulnerable to colds. Also, the berry has bactericidal properties in relation to coli and influenza viruses.
Did you know? Strawberries were brought to Europe only at the end of the 18th century. South America is considered the birthplace of this berry.
Useful properties of strawberry leaves
Few admirers of the red berry know that strawberry leaves are as beneficial to the body as the fruit. The green mass is dried, crushed and used as a tea substitute. Such an interesting drink turns out not only tasty, but also healthy. Strawberry tea treats digestive problems(bloating, acidity, indigestion), arthritis, bronchitis, eczema, gallstones and much more.
Did you know? The most big berry strawberries, which was recorded in the Guinness Book of Records, weighed 231 grams.
Tea is used not only in medicinal purposes. Strawberry leaf tea appears in many weight loss diets, as it satisfies hunger. A daily cup of this tea improves skin tone and removes toxins from the body.
However, it is worth remembering that strawberry leaf tea can be harmful, if you have the following diseases:
- gastritis;
- allergy to pollen or berries;
- increased acidity;
- hypertension;
- ulcer.
The use of strawberries in traditional medicine
We introduced you to the main properties of strawberries that have a positive effect on the body, rejuvenate it, compensate for vitamin deficiencies and help cure some diseases. Now we will tell you a few recipes that will help get rid of diseases and ailments.
Diuretic. 3 tablespoons of fresh strawberries are poured into 0.3 liters of boiling water and infused for about 40 minutes. You need to drink 150 ml of infusion before meals 3 times a day. This tool can also be used to rinse the mouth to reduce pain or accelerate the regeneration of damaged tissues.
Treatment of weeping wounds. Choose 5 ripe berries, crush them with a wooden spoon in a plate, while preserving the seeds. The resulting slurry is spread with a layer of 1 cm on a cotton cloth or bandage, applied to the affected area. You need to keep the compress for no more than 15 minutes, otherwise you can get an “acid burn”.
Treatment of neurosis. You need to prepare 10 g of strawberry flowers and 10 g of clover leaves, mix and pour 300 ml of boiling water. Infuse for about an hour under a tight lid. You need to drink the infusion 3 times a day, you can add honey or sugar to taste.
Treatment of tuberculosis and other lung diseases. Collect 9-10 sprigs of strawberries with berries, rinse and pour 0.5 liters of boiling water. Leave for at least 1 hour.
The resulting volume is drunk during the day. Every day you need to prepare a new infusion.
How strawberries are used in cosmetology
Let's talk about the benefits of strawberries for the face and skin and how to delicious berry can cook great mask or cream.
Strawberry extract is used in traditional cosmetology as component of expensive masks and creams. The berry gained such popularity due to the following properties:
- cleanses and dries the skin;
- removes acne;
- whitens the epidermis;
- stimulates skin regeneration;
- moisturizes and softens the skin;
- restores skin elasticity.
Did you know? Many people are allergic to strawberries, and in order to neutralize the effect of the allergen, it is necessary to drink these berries with dairy products.
In fact, strawberries used as a face mask can remove all signs of aging, cleanse, rejuvenate and firm the skin. Only the most expensive creams for the skin, which are inaccessible to "ordinary" people. That is why we will tell you some recipes for face masks that will not require you to spend a lot of money. Whitening mask. To do this, you need to take 3-4 ripe berries strawberries (only not imported), rinse and mash in a bowl. The resulting mixture is applied to the face and kept until dry.
For dry skin. Two strawberries need to be mashed in a plate, add 1 tablespoon of fatty cottage cheese and make a mask out of the resulting mixture. Keep no more than 1 hour.
For oily skin. We take 2 berries, knead and pour 50 ml kombucha. The mixture must be infused for 3 hours, after which it is filtered and used to apply a mask.
Anti-inflammatory. You need to squeeze strawberry juice (exactly squeeze, not buy), mix 2 tablespoons of this juice with 1 tablespoon of aloe juice and apply as a mask on the face.
Best to use ordinary strawberries from suburban areas. If you take a store-bought berry, a large one, then there may not be an effect. It should be understood that it is grown for food purposes, and big size does not always indicate the presence necessary vitamins and trace elements, due to which the skin is cleansed.
Contraindications and possible harm from strawberries
Strawberries, like many vegetables or fruits, have their own contraindications, which are based on its composition.
The first thing you should know: strawberries are a strong allergen. This berry, even in small amounts, can cause skin rashes, itching, or redness. And if you get carried away a lot and eat a lot of fruits, then even a person who does not suffer from allergies can have similar symptoms. Separately, I would like to say about purchased and imported strawberries, which are ten times more likely to cause allergies or intoxication of the body.
Strawberries are contraindicated for people with appendicitis, as well as suffering from gastric and hepatic colic.
Be careful with strawberries elderly people, "cores" and hypertensive patients, since strawberries contain substances that increase blood pressure.
Strawberry has no other contraindications. Therefore, if you are not allergic to this fruit, you can enjoy the taste of fresh berries, use strawberries to treat colds, apply cleansing masks, make tea from the leaves, or consume various strawberry-filled treats.
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