Efficacy of strawberries
What is a strawberry?
Strawberry powder , alias pineapple strawberry, also known as “big flower strawberry” (raspberry, etc.). Rosaceae. A perennial herb. Fruit diameter 1.5~3 cm, bright red. There are many varieties, fruit shape, fruit color and size are very different. Most cultivars around the world fall into this category. [1]
Chinese herbal records strawberry lung cough, detoxification detumescence. Main lung heat cough; Whooping cough; Sore of mouth and tongue; Furuncle; Snake bites, scalding wounds. [2]
Modern nutrition also believes that strawberries are a very healthy fruit, which is rich in vitamin C, dietary fiber, potassium, calcium, magnesium and other nutrients to help maintain the health of the body and proper physiological function
What are the effects of strawberries?
● “Inflammation” is not an infection occurring “inflammation” will have symptoms such as redness, swelling, heat, pain and so on, this inflammation is hidden in the body, like C-reactive protein (hsCRP), tumor necrosis factor TNF-a, etc., these substances under certain conditions will damage health, lead to chronic inflammation of the body, promote obesity, cardiovascular disease.
A meta-study from Northumbria University, UK, that included 52 chronic disease studies compared eight different fruit juices (beef flower juice, cranberry juice, grape juice, pomegranate juice, blueberry powder, grape juice, raspberry and freezed-dried strawberries) to assess endothelial (dysfunction), blood pressure (BP), blood pressure lipids, and inflammatory biomarkers.
Studies suggest that supplementing with cranberry or cherry juice may help improve blood pressure. For the other specified fruits, no other significant improvements were observed. [4]
Illinois Institute of Technology (a study by the Institute of Food Safety and Health), 34 participants, drinking 50g of freeze-dried strawberry powder per day, strawberries can improve vascular health, independent of other metabolic changes. It may be related to the effect of microbial phenolic metabolites on endothelial function after strawberry consumption. Strawberries are recommended to be included in a heart-healthy diet for adults with moderate hypercholesterolemia. [5]
Beneficial cognitive ability
Functional changes in the brain during aging can alter learning and memory, gait, and balance – in some cases leading to early cognitive decline, disability, or injured falls in older adults.
A study of 37 older adults (65 to 75 years old) who consumed freeze-dried strawberry SB (24 g/ day) for 45 and 90 days, respectively, to assess balance, gait, and cognitive tests.
Studies have shown that adding SB to the diet of healthy older adults can improve some aspects of cognition, but not gait or balance, and more trials are needed in the future to confirm this finding. [6]
Beneficial for anti-oxidation
Strawberries contain many bioactive compounds, such as vitamin C and polyphenols, as well as folic acid, a vitamin that is especially important for women of childbearing age.
A study by the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Regency in Japan assessed short-term serum vitamin C and folic acid levels and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) antioxidant levels in 23 healthy female volunteers who consumed 500g of strawberry puree drink daily.
The results showed that strawberries improved the antioxidant capacity of healthy young women (after 2 hours of intake, vitamin C and folic acid reached peak levels; after 1 hour, low-density lipoprotein oxidation delayed, indicating increased antioxidant capacity; after 0.5 hours of intake, serum glucose and insulin levels peaked, indicating a major source of vitamin C and folic acid). [7]
Good for the heart
A number of clinical trials have shown that dietary strawberries can improve cardiometabolic risk, and increased levels of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) in the body may be closely related to the occurrence and development of cardiovascular metabolic diseases (CMD). Bcaas include leucine, isoleucine and valine.
A study by the Department of Kinesiology and Nutritional Sciences at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, USA, in which three participants were supplemented with 32g of strawberry powder daily for 14 weeks, assessed blood samples, body constitution, blood pressure, and diet and physical activity data.
Studies have shown that strawberries significantly improve serum levels of branched-chain amino acids valine and leucine, and dietary supplementation with strawberries significantly improves serum metabolic characteristics of adult cardiometabolic risk. [8]
Good for cholesterol
Blood pressure and LDL cholesterol are risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
A study at the University of Arizona School of Nutritional Sciences and Health, 40 participants, 13g/ day freeze-dried strawberry powder for 4 weeks, evaluated cardiovascular markers.
Studies have shown that strawberries improve cholesterol levels in overweight or obese adults. [9]
Beneficial for gut flora
● Strawberries rich in polyphenols and fiber have prebiotic activity.
A study by the Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, Center for Human Nutrition, evaluated intestinal microbiota indicators in 15 healthy adults who consumed freeze-dried California strawberry powder (SBP) daily for 6 weeks.
● Freeze-dried California strawberry powder was found to increase the abundance of intestinal flora, thereby regulating intestinal flora and thereby improving metabolic status. [10]
Backvita
References:
1. Lei Jiajun.” History, current situation and development Strategy of strawberry production in China. Friends of Fruit Growers (2003).
2. Editorial Committee of Chinese Materia Medica, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Chinese Materia Medica: a select edition. Shanghai Science and Technology Press, 1998.
3. Luo X B, & He L M. (2011). Nutritional value and health function of strawberry. Journal of Food and Nutrition in China, 17(4), 3.
4. Effects of chronic consumption of specific fruit (berries, citrus and cherries) on CVD risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
5. Strawberry Consumption, Cardiometabolic Risk Factors, and Vascular Function: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Adults with Moderate Hypercholesterolemia
6. Dietary strawberry improves cognition in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in older adults
7. Effects of acute strawberry consumption on serum levels of vitamin C and folic acid, the antioxidant potential of LDL and blood glucose response: a randomised cross-over controlled trial
8. Dietary Strawberries Improve Serum Metabolites of Cardiometabolic Risks in Adults with Features of the Metabolic Syndrome in a Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial
9. Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial of Freeze-Dried Strawberry Powder Supplementation in Adults with Overweight or Obesity and Elevated Cholesterol
10. California strawberry consumption increased the abundance of gut microorganisms related to lean body weight, health and longevity in healthy subjects
