One of the most common fruitful treats are strawberries. They belong to the Rosaceae family. They retain their beneficial properties, both fresh and dried and frozen. This article will help you know more about this berry.
Chemical composition and nutritional value of strawberries
Mature strawberries contain many vitamins and minerals. They are rich in fiber, ascorbic acid and folic acid. The energy value per 100 grams of food is 30 kcal.
Calories: proteins – 0. 67 g, fats – 0. 3 g, carbohydrates – 7. 68 g. Sugar – 4. 8 g and fiber – 2. 0 g.
The berry contains a lot of vitamin C: 58. 7 mg. This represents approximately 65% of daily needs.
In 100 grams of strawberries there are
- Vitamin A – 1. 0 µg,
- Vitamin E – 0. 3 mg,
- Vitamin K – 2. 2 µg,
- Vitamin B3 – 0. 4 mg,
- Vitamin B4 – 5. 7 mg,
- Vitamin B5 – 0. 1 mg,
- Vitamin B9 – 24 µg,
- Bet a-carotene – 7. 0 µg.
And the following minerals
- Sodium – 1 mg,
- Calcium – 16. 0 mg,
- Fluoride – 4. 4 µg,
- Iron – 0. 4 mg,
- Magnesium – 13. 0 mg,
- Phosphorus – 24. 0 mg,
- Potassium – 153. 0 mg,
- Zinc – 0. 1 mg,
- Selenium – 0. 4 µg.
Local berries retain their maximum utility in the summer season. Imported berries lose their useful properties and do not have time to accumulate vitamins. Because during transport they start from the bush when they are still green, and the berries mature on the road, not in the sun.
Fruit properties
Strawberries are actively used in culinary, therapeutic and cosmetic applications. Thanks to its large number of antioxidants, clean and tone the body.
Strawberries can help with headaches because their chemical composition is similar to that of their components. It has no harmful properties, the only inconvenience is that it is a very allergenic product.
The benefits of strawberries
Due to the large amount of trace elements and vitamins, strawberries have the following beneficial effects for the body
- Prevents the multiplication of pathogenic bacteria during the cold station.
- It is an ant i-cancer product because it blocks the development and growth of cancer cells.
- Purifies the organism and eliminates toxins.
- Help in the prevention of joint diseases and arthritis.
- It reduces the probability of suffering brain spills and diabetes.
- Help maintain vision.
- Help with swelling by eliminating excess body from the body.
- Normalizes the liver and renal function.
- The acid contained in strawberries partially eliminates the accumulated plate on the teeth.
- It helps lose weight and accelerates metabolism.
- Regulates the blood cholesterol content.
- Help in case of anemia by increasing the concentration of red blood cells in the blood.
- Reduces the risk of hypertension.
- The fizetine contained in the fruit increases brain function.
For the male body strawberries.
- With constant consumption, regulate the digestive system.
- Due to zinc and vitamin C, normalizes the sexual system and increases sexual desire.
- Increase the testosterone level.
- Prevents the development of impotence.
For the women.
- It rejuvenates the skin and reaffirms the facial oval.
- Clean the skin, eliminates inflammation and reduces acne.
- During pregnancy, it reduces the risk of fetal anomalies, thanks to its folic acid content.
- Prevents breast cancer.
- If taken regularly, reduce the appearance of anemia.
- Corrects the problems of the menstrual cycle.
- It restores the activity of the thyroid gland.
For children
- It favors growth and development.
- It helps prevent hypovitaminosis at the cold station.
- Improves the immunity of the children’s organism.
- Relieves the symptoms of colds and throat pains.
- Improves sleep and appetite.
- Normalizes nerve overexcitation.
- Prevents constipation, by the fiber it contains.
Possible damages and contraindications
Strawberries are one of the strongest allergens. Do not get too excited to eat them. Allergic reactions can manifest in different ways. In the form of nasal secretion, small red eruptions in the skin, diverse spots, frequent sneezing, crying eyes and difficulty breathing.
During breastfeeding, mothers can include the product in their diet, provided they have not had allergic reactions prior to it. Start with a single berry, closely watching the baby’s reaction.
The berry should not be consumed if you are allergic to aspirin, nor if medications are taken to reduce blood pressure. People suffering from gastritis, ulcers, liver cirrhosis and other gastrointestinal diseases must abandon the use of berries. They are not recommended in case of Urolithiasis.
The berries contain a large amount of acid, which increases the sensitivity of the dental enamel.
Standards of use
It is recommended that adults do not eat more than 500 grams of berries a day. Children should not eat strawberries before 12 months of age. If one of the parents has or has allergy to this fruit, not before the year and a half. Infants after 12 months should drink strawberries from 1/3 of the berry. Over time, the rate can be increased up to 100 grams. But you don’t have to get carried away, children with strawberries should not be fed every day.
If you are allergic to strawberries, you can eat a little in a processed way. This jam, jams, snacks. It is recommended to eat strawberries between meals. The stomach should not be empty or full, since the abundance of acid can cause irritation or fermentation.
Vitamin C is better absorbed if combined with calcium. Strawberries are better combined with fermented dairy products, such as yogurt, sour cream, kefir, cottage cheese and Ryazhenka. Interesting combinations are obtained when combining the product with cheese.
Special applications
Strawberries are used a lot in the kitchen. With them you can prepare hundreds of light desserts, bakery products and main dishes. They are actively used in cosmetology, such as cleaner, rejuvenating and moisturizing masks. The berries are actively used in popular medicine, as well as during weight loss.
Use in Popular Medicine
In kidneys and urinary tract diseases
For this, a decoction of dry leaves is prepared. A large handful of berries, soak in 500 ml of boiling water. Put to fire and boil for 8-10 minutes. Let cool and before each meal, take half a glass of broth.
Infusion for tuberculosis
Take an infusion of strawberry stems. Leave about ten stems pressed with leaves, flowers and berries in a thermos with 500 ml of water for 90 minutes. Drink this tincture throughout the day for about a month. Then make a on e-week pause and repeat the treatment.
For colds and throat pains
Pour a handful or approximately a soup tablespoon in a thermos and cover it with a glass of boiling water. Leave in infusion for about an hour and then gargareras with your throat every 3 hours until it is cured.
In case of diarrhea
Pour a glass of boiling water over two teaspoons of dry leaves. Leave in sauna and infusion for half an hour. Then drink all the infusion at once.
Cosmetic use
Fat skins mask
It takes: white clay and freshly squeezed strawberry juice.
Preparation: Mix approx. 150 ml. of the juice with the clay until the consistency of a sour cream is obtained.
Use mode: Apply 3 to 5 mm. Thickly, evenly on the face. Wait for 15 to 20 minutes and clarify with warm water.
A moisturizer for all types of skins
You will need: 3 tablespoons of sour cream, 7 berries, 1 tablespoon of honey.
Preparation: Crush the berries until they are soft, add the sour cream and honey, mix until they are soft.
Application: Apply the mask on the face and neckline area, wait 20 – 30 minutes and wash with water.
Dry skin mask
Needs: 4 berries, ½ ripe banana, 1 tablespoon of natural yogurt, 1 tablespoon of honey, a teaspoon of oatmeal.
Method: crushing banana and strawberries. Add yogurt, honey and oatmeal and mix well.
Use mode: Apply on dry skin, wait 15 to 20 minutes and clarify with warm water. Clarify with warm water. Then apply a moisturizer.
How to use strawberries to lose weight
The first type of diet consists in consuming strawberries along with green water and tea in unlimited quantities. However, you should not eat strawberries three hours before bedtime, otherwise your weight can increase in the morning. A diet of this type is only allowed to a healthy organism, without allergy to the main component.
Before starting a strawberry diet, remember that mono diets cannot be used for a long time. Such diets are used to achieve rapid results.
Nutritionists recommend a safe and adequate type of strawberry diet. The diet is based on a balanced diet.
- Chicken or boiled turkey breast, lean fish
- eggs
- cottage cheese with a fat content of around 5%,
- strawberries,
- roasted, raw and boiled vegetables.
The essence of the diet is simple – among regular meals, eating strawberries instead of sweets. Calculate your daily caloric intake depending on your weight and body volume parameters. Several programs and applications can help you in this regard.
Download day. You can organize a discharge day with strawberries. Divide a kilo of strawberries into five meals. Coma strawberries during the day and drink at least 2 liters of liquid a day.
Not everyone is suitable for this type of berries, but the organism is purified and lightened after the day of diet. The main thing is that after such a diet you should not eat in excess the next day.
Light desserts based on strawberries
Cheese and strawberry cake
- 500 g of strawberries
- 1 liter of yogurt
- 500 g of crumbleble cookies
- 1 cup of milk
- 30 g of gelatin
Method: Crush the cookies to make fine crumbs. Add the milk, remove and distribute the mixture evenly through the bottom of the mold. Then spread the strawberries.
In another bowl, mix the yogurt and the jelly previously dissolved. Pour this mixture into the mold and leave it in the fridge for 6 hours. Ready!
Soufflé strawberry
- 250 g of strawberries
- 150 g of sugar or sweetener
- 15g gelatin
- 3 teaspoons of icing sugar
Preparation: Make a puree with strawberries and sugar. Add the gelatin to the strawberry puree. In a bain-marie, gradually dissolve the gelatin, stirring. Next, place the container in cold water and beat the puree with a mixer until the mixture turns pink and rises in height.
Pour the future soufflé into a mold and put it in the refrigerator for 4 hours. When the mixture has hardened, unmold, cut into pieces and sprinkle with icing sugar. It can be decorated with mint or lemon balm leaves. Enjoy!
How to choose ripe strawberries when buying them
The ideal, of course, is that they are freshly picked from the field. But if you can’t, you can buy them in the supermarket or in the market. First of all, pay attention to expiration dates. If you are in the market, ask the seller for the product papers.
Choose dried, whole, medium-sized berries. It is preferable that they have a green tail so that they can be kept for a longer time. Berries of medium size, with a pronounced taste. Pay attention to the scent; chemically treated berries will be odorless and tasteless.
Basic rules for growing strawberries
To enjoy a great harvest of strawberries, the following rules must be respected:
- It is more productive to grow strawberries from seedlings than from seeds.
- Place the seedlings in topsoil. It can be purchased at garden stores.
- The distance between the bushes should be at least 20 cm.
- After planting them in the ground, water the seedlings daily.
- Place the seedlings on a sunny window sill.
- Remove the first flowers from the seedling so that all the vigor does not go to the first berry.
- Water the bushes periodically with organic fertilizer.
- Transplant when the earth has warmed up and the average temperature is above + 20 degrees.
- Carefully plant in open soil without damaging the root system.
- Keep strawberries free of “whiskers.”
- Cover the soil with sawdust or straw to prevent the strawberries from rotting.
