Powerful fruits - Goodnews: essential natural health news - Brief Article

Better Nutrition, Feb, 2004

All foods have a place in a balanced diet. But strawberries offer a huge nutritional kick.

Fruits in general are not good sources of pantothenic acid--but the strawberry is one of two major exceptions, along with the avocado. Sure, strawberries provide vitamin C. But they're also packed with folate, potassium, antioxidants--specifically, ellagic acid and anthocyanins--and fiber.

All 40 strawberry species promote heart health and lower cancer risk. They help Combat rheumatoid arthritis and memory loss. A Nutrition and Health Research Center study found strawberries lower systolic blood pressure readings--that's the first number in your reading.

And strawberries are low in calories. Foods high in nutrients but low in calories are considered nutrient-dense. According to sources such as the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, the kiwi and blueberry may be the most nutrient-dense fruits, but the strawberry is a serious contender, Strawberries, with the sixth highest antioxidant concentration of any fruit or vegetable, place third in actual chemical effectiveness in preventing oxidation in cells.

NUTRIENT FACTS
amount per 1 cup sliced strawberries

Vitamin C     94 MG
Folate        .08 MG (80 Micrograms)
Fiber         3.8 MG
Potassium     275.5 MG
Quercetin     2.4 MG
Kaempferol    1.5 MG
Anthocyanin   69.4 MG

Source: California Strawberry Commission

Note: Table made from bar graph.

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Powerful fruits - Goodnews: essential natural health news - Brief Article

Better Nutrition, Feb, 2004

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