Strawberries - useful properties and contraindications

Strawberry is the very first natural berry, opening a vitamin summer season. We love her for taste, aroma and for the fact that she has "many vitamins" that our body needs after the winter-spring period. Popular wisdom says to be healthy for a whole year, while strawberries are bearing fruit, eat it at least a handful a day.

A bit of history

Strawberries are a direct “descendant” of the well-known wild strawberries, whose taste and medicinal qualities have been known since ancient times. In the writings of Pliny the Elder, this plant is mentioned as wild-growing, but fit for human consumption. The ancient Romans first learned how to harvest strawberries by pickling, and the Spaniards domesticated and began to grow it in their gardens. Starting from the 15th century, the plant began to rank as 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, and from this moment the story begins of the well-known strawberries. Now this tasty berry is spread all over the world and is widely used in the culinary and food industry, cosmetology and chemical industry, in traditional and traditional medicine.

What is useful summer berry

There are extremely many substances in strawberries that are required for normal functioning of our body. It is a generous source of beneficial elements that 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;
• 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 caloric content, the berry contains a lot of fiber, which improves the digestive processes, frees the gastrointestinal tract and lymph from toxins and toxins. Anthocyanins, which give the strawberry its rich red color, stimulate memory, and serve as an excellent fat burner. Flavonoids and antioxidants are beneficial 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 rest of the minerals are indispensable for the proper functioning of the nervous and circulatory systems, brain activity, and are responsible for good mood and performance.

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

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

Possessing good diuretic qualities, the berry is recommended for diseases of the 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 in the diet of this fruit has a strengthening effect on the blood vessels and muscles of the heart, which significantly reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke and other cardiological problems.

The substances contained in strawberry juice weaken the negative impact of stressful moments, help fight depression and sudden mood swings. It is 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 real pleasure from intimacy.

Strawberries have an excellent anti-tumor effect, and this has been proven by 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. It is better to refrain from buying in the markets of the early berries. Like all plant products, the ripening of which occurs unnaturally, it is treated with chemicals and instead of good, you can get a serious poisoning.

Strawberries are a strong allergen, so people who are hypersensitive to the substances in this product should stop using them. For the same reason, care should be taken with strawberries for nursing moms, pediatricians are not advised to use juices and mashed potatoes as part of artificial feeding.

Do not abuse the berries to pregnant women, because the tonic properties can lead to hypertonia of the uterus, which will lead to premature birth.

To refuse a tasty delicacy it is necessary at gastritis, an ulcer (including a duodenum), and also other diseases of a gastrointestinal tract. The high content of organic acids irritates the gastric mucosa and can provoke exacerbation.

In combination with drugs for hypertension, strawberries can cause an increased load on the kidneys, which will adversely 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 in a season, and for the whole year your body will be stored 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, and its fruit acids are widely used as natural raw materials for professional peelings.

This berry is also used with great success in home cosmetology. Even in ancient times, women knew about its healing and rejuvenating features in skin care. The presence of salicylic acid makes strawberries an excellent bleaching agent, “extinguishes” inflammatory processes, fights excess sweating, tightens pores, and copes well with acne problems.From the pigmentation of the skin and freckles perfectly helps fresh juice (it is necessary to wipe the problem areas with it daily).

Useful substances present in strawberry berries, 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 - rub half of sliced ​​strawberries into the skin with soft movements, leave for 20-25 minutes and rinse with warm water.

A very good effect can boast of homemade masks with the addition of sour cream, cottage cheese, honey and white clay. But for the desired result, you should always strictly adhere to the recipe.

Queen of Desserts

Due to its excellent taste, strawberries are a desirable product in culinary art. All sorts of mousses, delicious desserts, various pastries sometimes do 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 with long-term heat treatment.The only exceptions are preparations for the winter - jams, jams and syrups. And you can freeze strawberries, so more vitamins are stored, and in cold frosty evenings you can indulge yourself with an aromatic snack.

No wonder strawberries called berry queen. With its unique properties, wonderful smell, sweet and juicy flesh, it is a universal favorite, and everyone is looking forward to the beginning of summer, when again you can enjoy the delicious and healthy berries.

Video: useful properties and vitamins of strawberry