Health Benefits of strawberry

“Strawberries are the angels of the earth, innocent & sweet with green leafy wings reaching heavenward.” – Jasmine Heiler.

The Strawberry is called ‘the queen of fruits” In Asian countries because it’s packed with health benefits. These juicy heart-shaped delights have much more to offer beyond sweetness and flavor.

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10 HEALTH BENEFITS OF STRAWBERRIES

1. Helps burn stored fat
The red coloring contains anthocyanins, which stimulate the burning of stored fat. When a group of animals was fed a high-fat diet along with anthocyanins, they gained 24 percent less weight than the animals eating the high-fat diet without added anthocyanins. (The Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry)

2. Boost short term memory
The anthocyanins boost short term memory by 100 percent in eight weeks. (The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry)

3. Low in Calories – High in Fiber
One cup contains only 54 calories.

4. Ease Inflammation
Strawberries lower blood levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a signal of inflammation in the body. In a study, women who ate 16 or more strawberries per week were 14 percent less likely to have elevated levels of CRP. (Harvard School of Public Health.)

5. Lower cardiovascular disease
Flavonoids — which are responsible for the colour and flavour of strawberries — lower the risk for heart disease.

6. Promote bone health
Strawberries contain potassium, vitamin K and magnesium which are important for bone health.

7. Prevent oesophageal cancer
Studies show freeze-dried strawberry powder may help prevent human oesophageal cancer.

8. Anti-aging properties
Strawberries are filled with biotin, which helps build strong hair and nails. They also contain the antioxidant ellagic acid, which protects the elastic fibers in our skin to prevent sagging. 

9. Good for weight loss
The compound nitrate found promotes blood flow and oxygen in our body, which is great for weight loss.

10. Promote eye health
Eating three or more servings of fruit like strawberries may lower the risk of macular degeneration, a condition resulting in vision loss. (Archives of Ophthalmology)

Fun and Interesting Facts about Strawberries

• Folklore states that if you split a double strawberry in half and share it with the opposite sex, you’ll soon fall in love.
• There are more than 600 varieties of strawberries that differ in flavor, size and texture.
• Strawberry designs are carved in medieval stone masons as the sign of perfection and righteousness. These designs are often carved on altars or around the top pillars in cathedrals and churches.
• The strawberry was a symbol for Venus, the Goddess of Love, because it’s often heart-shaped and has a rich, red color.
• Madame Tallien, known as the pronounced figure at the court of Emperor Napoleon, was popular for bathing in the strawberry juice of 22 pounds of strawberries.
• Legend has been told that strawberries were named by English children who picked, strung it on grass straws and sold them as “straws of berries.”
• Strawberries belong to the family of rose, along with apples and plums.
• Strawberries are not classified as berries. Blueberries and raspberries have seeds inside while strawberries have their seeds outside.
• Strawberries were once thought to be an aphrodisiac and were served in soups to newlyweds in 13th century France.
• Ancient Romans used strawberries to alleviate symptoms of fainting, fevers, throat infections, kidney stones, halitosis, attacks of gout, and diseases of the blood, liver and spleen.
• At Wimbledon each year, strawberries and cream are eaten between tennis matches by properly attired English.

Boosts your immunity

Strawberries are packed with Vitamin C, which helps boost your immunity and protects you from infections. Just one cup of strawberries meets 100% of your daily requirement of Vitamin C. This alone makes it a fruit that you should not miss out on, specially during the strawberry season.

Prevents heart disease 

Shaped like a heart, strawberries have nutrients like flavonoids and antioxidants which prevent the buildup of bad cholesterol which can clog your arteries. Additionally, these nutrients have anti-inflammation properties which is good for the heart.

Prevents constipation and diabetes 

When you have constipation, it is important that you consume fibre in order to clear your bowel movements. Also, fibre helps regulate your blood sugar levels making it a great food for diabetics and those who want to prevent diabetes alike. Strawberries have a lowly glycemic index of 40, which means diabetics can consume it without worrying too much.

Fights cancer 

Like most fruits and vegetables, strawberries too are high in antioxidants which help in fighting cancer. In particular, strawberries have antioxidants like lutein and zeathanacins which suppresses the growth of cancer cells.  What more? The high Vitamin C content boosts your immunity and makes your body more capable of fighting cancer cells.

Good for your skin 

When you age, your skin and other body parts suffer from damage due to free radicals. This process is similar to the process of a metal rusting due to exposure to air. Vitamin C and antioxidants present in strawberries can help slow down this process and keep your skin wrinkle-free for longer.

Helps you lose weight

Strawberries are extremely low in calories, with a cup having just 53 calories. Also, they have fibre which can leave you feeling fuller if you have them before a meal. Not only this, the high Vitamin C content help boost your metabolism which helps your body burn the calories faster.

Great for pregnant woman 

Pregnant women are often confused as to what they should eat during pregnancy that’ll both be good for them and the baby. Folate present in rich quantities in strawberries helps in the baby’s brain, skull and spinal cord development. In addition, it also has folic acid which can save the child from having certain birth defects.

Great for your bones 

Strawberries have nutrients like manganese, potassium and some minerals that not only help promote bone growth, but also helps keep them in mint condition. These properties also make strawberry a good fruit for growing children.

Prevents hair loss 

Hair loss can be quite a depressing condition for anyone. Folic acid, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6 and ellagic acid present in strawberries helps prevent your hair from falling and thinning. Furthermore, minerals like copper and magnesium helps prevent dandruff and fungal growth on your scalp. If that wasn’t enough, many home made packs can be made using strawberries that’ll add shine and glow to your hair.

Boosts memory

Fisetin, a naturally occurring flavonoid present in strawberries helps enhance memory by stimulating the signaling pathways. A research published in Annals of Neurology also proved that eating 2 or more servings of strawberries per week can delay memory decline in ageing women. 

Nutrition Information

Principle Nutrient Value Percentage of RDA
Energy	32 Kcal	1.5%
Carbohydrates	7.7 g	6%
Protein	0.67 g	0.1%
Total Fat	0.30 g	1%
Cholesterol	0 mg	0%
Dietary Fiber	2.0 g	5%
Vitamins
Folates	24 µg	6%
Niacin	0.386 mg	2.5%
Pantothenic acid	0.125 mg	2.5%
Pyridoxine	0.047 mg	3.5%
Riboflavin	0.022 mg	2%
Vitamin A	12 IU	0.5%
Vitamin C	58.8 mg	98%
Vitamin E	0.29 mg	2%
Vitamin K	2.2 µg	2%
Electrolytes
Sodium	1 mg	0%
Potassium	153 mg	3%
Minerals
Calcium	16 mg	1.6%
Iron	0.41 mg	5%
Magnesium	13 mg	3%
Manganese	0.386 mg	17%
Zinc	0.14 mg	1%
Phyto-nutrients
Carotene-ß	7 µg	--
Lutein-zeaxanthin	26 µg	--

Health Benefits of Tomato

10 Health Benefits from Eating Tomatoes

1. Tomatoes are good for your skin.

Tomatoes contain a high level of lycopene, which is a substance that is used in some of the more pricy facial cleansers that are available for purchase over-the-counter.
If you want to try tomatoes for skin care, you need to start with about eight to twelve tomatoes. Peel the tomatoes and then place the skin on your face with inside of the tomato touching your skin.
Leave the tomatoes on your face for a minimum of ten minutes, then wash. Your face will feel clean and shiny. Some redness may occur, but should fade with time.

2. Tomatoes help prevent several types of cancer.

A number of studies have been conducted that indicate that the high levels of lycopene in tomatoes works to reduce your chances of developing prostate, colorectal and stomach cancer.
Lycopene is a natural antioxidant that works effectively to slow the growth of cancerous cells. Cooked tomatoes produce even more lycopene, so go ahead and cook up a batch of your mom’s famous tomato soup.

3. Tomatoes help maintain strong bones.

Tomatoes contain a considerable amount of calcium and Vitamin K. Both of these nutrients are essential in strengthening and performing minor repairs on the bones as well as the bone tissue.

4. Tomatoes help repair damage caused by smoking.

No, eating tomatoes is not the most recent fad to help you quit smoking. However, tomatoes can reduce the amount of damaged done to your body by smoking cigarettes.
Tomatoes contain coumaric acid and chlorogenic acid that work to protect the body from carcinogens that are produced from cigarette smoke.

5. Tomatoes provide essential antioxidants.

Tomatoes contain a great deal of Vitamin A and Vitamin C. This is primarily because these vitamins and beta-carotene work as antioxidants to neutralize harmful free radicals in the blood.
Free radicals in the blood stream are dangerous because it may lead to cell damage. Remember, the redder the tomato you eat is, the more beta-carotene it contains. In addition, you also want to keep in mind that cooking destroys the Vitamin C, so for these benefits, the tomatoes need to be eaten raw.

6. Tomatoes are good for your heart.

Because of the Vitamin B and potassium in tomatoes, they are effective in reducing cholesterol levels and lowering blood pressure. Therefore, by including tomatoes in your regular balanced diet you can effectively prevent heart attacks, strokes as well as many other heart related problems that may threaten your life.

7. Tomatoes are good for your hair.

The Vitamin A in tomatoes works perfectly to keep your hair shiny and strong. In addition, it also does wonders for your eyes, skin, bones and teeth.

8. Tomatoes are good for your kidneys.

Adding tomatoes without seeds to your diet has been proven in some studies to reduce the risk of kidney stones.

9. Tomatoes are good for your eyes.

The Vitamin A found in tomatoes is fantastic for improving your vision. In addition, eating tomatoes is one of the best foods to eat to prevent the development of night blindness.

10. Tomatoes are good for diabetics.

Tomatoes are packed full of the valuable mineral known as chromium. It works effectively to help diabetics keep their blood sugar levels under better control.

Tomato nutrition facts

Tomato, a pulpy nutritious fruit commonly eaten as a vegetable, is another wonderful gift of the Mayans. This humble vegetable of Central America has seized the attention of millions of health seekers for its incredible phyto-chemical properties. Interestingly, it has more health-benefiting compounds than that of an apple!
Botanically, tomate belongs to Solanaceae or nightshade family of common vegetables, which also includes chili peppers, potato, eggplant, etc. Its scientific name is Lycopersicon esculentum.
This exotic vegetable of all seasons is native to the Central America and was cultivated by the Aztecs centuries before the Spanish explorers introduced it to all over the world.
Many hundreds of cultivar varieties with different type and size, either organic, hybrid or genetically modified are being in use. Most cultivars produce red fruits; however, a number of cultivars with yellow, orange, pink, purple, green, or white colors are also a common scene.
Heirloom tomatoes tend to produce more natural and flavorful fruits. Heirloom types are becoming increasingly popular, particularly among organic producers. They are now grown worldwide as the front line vegetable in line with onions, chili, potato..etc.
Cherry tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) are small, round, cherry-sized fruits of the same Solanaceae family. They are quite popular in Mediterranean regions, feature commonly in Italian and Greek cuisine.
Footnotes for Tomatoes, red, ripe, raw, year round average [Includes USDA commodity food A238, A233]

Source: Nutrient data for this listing was provided by USDA SR-21. Each "~" indicates a missing or incomplete value.

Percent Daily Values (%DV) are for adults or children aged 4 or older, and are based on a 2,000 calorie reference diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower based on your individual needs.

Nutrition Data's Opinion, Completeness Score™, Fullness Factor™, Rating, Estimated Glycemic Load (eGL), and Better Choices Substitutions™ are editorial opinions of NutritionData.com, given without warranty, and are not intended to replace the advice of a nutritionist or health-care professional. Nutrition Data's opinions and ratings are based on weighted averages of the nutrient densities of those nutrients for which the FDA has established Daily Values, and do not consider other nutrients that may be important to your health or take into account your individual needs. Consequently, Nutrition Data's higher-rated foods may not necessarily be healthier for you than lower-rated ones. All foods, regardless of their rating, have the potential to play an important role in your diet.

The Amino Acid Score has not been corrected for digestibility, which could reduce its value.

NUTRITION INFORMATION

Amounts per 1 cup cherry tomatoes (149g)

 

Amounts Per Selected Serving			DV%
Calorie Information
Calories	26.8	(112 kJ)	1%
From Carbohydrate	21.1	(88.3 kJ)
From Fat	2.5	(10.5 kJ)
From Protein	3.2	(13.4 kJ)
From Alcohol	0.0	(0.0 kJ)
Carbohydrates
Total Carbohydrate	5.8	G	2%
Dietary Fiber	1.8	G	7%
Starch	0.0	G
Sugars	3.9	G
Sucrose	0.0	Mg
Glucose	1862	Mg
Fructose	2042	Mg
Lactose	0.0	Mg
Maltose	0.0	Mg
Galactose	0.0	Mg
Vitamins
Vitamin A	1241	IU	25%
Retinol	0.0	mcg
Retinol Activity Equivalent	62.6	mcg
Alpha Carotene	151	mcg
Beta Carotene	669	mcg
Beta Cryptoxanthin	0.0	mcg
Lycopene	3834	mcg
Lutein+Zeaxanthin	183	mcg
Vitamin C	18.9	mg	32%
Vitamin D	~		~
Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol)	0.8	mg	4%
Beta Tocopherol	0.0	mg
Gamma Tocopherol	0.2	mg
Delta Tocopherol	0.0	mg
Vitamin K	11.8	mcg	15%
Thiamin	0.1	mg	4%
Riboflavin	0.0	mg	2%
Niacin	0.9	mg	4%
Vitamin B6	0.1	mg	6%
Folate	22.3	mcg	6%
Food Folate	22.3	mcg
Folic Acid	0.0	mcg
Dietary Folate Equivalents	22.3	mcg
Vitamin B12	0.0	mcg	0%
Pantothenic Acid	0.1	mg	1%
Choline	10.0	mg
Betaine	0.1	mg
Minerals
Calcium	14.9	mg	1%
Iron	0.4	mg	2%
Magnesium	16.4	mg	4%
Phosphorus	35.8	mg	4%
Potassium	353	mg	10%
Sodium	7.5	mg	0%
Zinc	0.3	mg	2%
Copper	0.1	mg	4%
Manganese	0.2	mg	8%
Selenium	0.0	mcg	0%
Fluoride	3.4	mcg
Protein & Amino Acids
Protein	1.3	G	3%
Tryptophan	8.9	Mg
Threonine	40.2	Mg
Isoleucine	26.8	Mg
Leucine	37.2	Mg
Lysine	40.2	Mg
Methionine	8.9	Mg
Cystine	13.4	Mg
Phenylalanine	99.8	Mg
Tyrosine	20.9	Mg
Valine	26.8	Mg
Arginine	31.3	Mg
Histidine	20.9	Mg
Alanine	40.2	Mg
Aspartic acid	201	Mg
Glutamic acid	642	Mg
Glycine	28.3	Mg
Proline	22.3	Mg
Serine	38.7	Mg
Hydroxyproline	~
Sterols
Cholesterol	0.0	mg	0%
Phytosterols	10.4	mg
Campesterol	~
Stigmasterol	~
Beta-sitosterol	~
Others
Alcohol	0.0	g
Water	141	g
Ash	0.7	g
Caffeine	0.0	mg
Theobromine	0.0	mg