Not only beautiful and delicious, strawberries have health benefits and are a natural remedy for a number of health issues. Strawberries allow you to “let your food be your medicine.” Daily consumption of strawberries can keep gout and constipation in check and can lessen acne symptoms.
Nutrition in Strawberries
One cup of strawberries contains one and a half times the RDA of Vitamin C! Strawberries also contain calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus. The fiber content in strawberries make them great for your digestion, too. While there is nothing like a fresh strawberry, frozen strawberries are also a healthy option. Avoid canned strawberries as they will not have as much nutrition and often have added sugar or worse, high fructose corn syrup.
Whether you choose fresh or frozen strawberries, do opt for organic strawberries. Strawberries consistently contain high levels of pesticides. According to the Environmental Working Group, strawberries are at the top of the list of the “Dirty Dozen.”TM (Produce with high levels of pesticides.) Some chemicals found on non organic strawberries include ones that disrupt human hormones, are considered carcinogens, neurotoxins, and poisonous gasses. Some of the chemicals are banned in some countries.1
Side effects from eating non organic strawberries may be short term side effects, like rashes and digestive disturbances. Long term side effects from eating non organic strawberries could include cancer, infertility and nerve disorders. Obviously the risk of side effects is higher the more non organic strawberries you consume.
Strawberries for Better Health
Gout
Berries are often a natural remedy for gout and strawberries are no exception. Consuming extra strawberries during a gout attack can bring relief. Making strawberries part of your daily diet can help prevent gout attacks.
Stomach Pain
Stomach aches and gas pains can be relieved with strawberries. Try eating 3-5 strawberries when you experience pain in the stomach. Do not eat more than 5 however, or it may make your pain worse!
Acne
Because of the antioxidants and vitamin C, regular strawberry consumption can reduce acne flare ups.
Fresh strawberries can be mashed and used as a face cleanser and astringent. Add a drop of lavender essential oil or splash of apple cider vinegar to your strawberry toner. Massage the strawberries on to your face. Rinse after 2 minutes.
After Work-Out Snack
Cold strawberries make a great snack when you have been working out or doing yard work. Strawberries help to replenish your water and electrolytes.
Constipation
The water and fiber content of strawberries make them a useful remedy for constipation.
How to Use Strawberries
Strawberries are wonderful eaten fresh and plain but also lend themselves to a variety of recipes.
- Add strawberries to your morning oatmeal or granola.
- Include strawberries in your smoothie.
- Strawberries add color and a flavor burst to salads.
- Try cold strawberries with coconut milk for a snack on a hot afternoon.
Strawberry Cautions
Overeating strawberries can cause gas, bloating and diarrhea. Sensitive individuals may develop a rash or hives from overindulging in strawberries. Some perioral dermatitis sufferers cannot eat strawberries. If moderate amounts of strawberries disagree with you, it is possible that organic strawberries may be tolerated by your system, but only try one at a sitting to be sure!
Do you use strawberries for your good health? Please send us some feedback!
Sources:
1. https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/strawberries.php
Strawberries really did the trick. I had really bad gas, to the point where I couldn't take a deep breath because it was trapped in my chest and was painful. I ate about 4-5 fresh (not frozen) berries and it was gone within 15-20 mins.
I've had a stomache all day & came across this website. Saw the strawberries remedy and thought it's worth a shot…all the other cures didn't look so appealing. After my 4th stawberry, my pain went away!!! Unbelievable. Thanks so much for this tip!
I have found a miracle solution for my gout which has gotten worse, with more frequent and incredibly painful bouts.
I've had all the drugs from my doctor, and I've eaten cherries until I couldn't stand another. None of it worked.
My wife brought home a flat of strawberries from the school where she teaches, and they sat in the fridge for a couple of days. Every time I'd open it, they'd be sitting there, going to waste. I had read somewhere that strawberries might actually exacerbate the condition, so I was reluctant. But I was in real pain, so I tried it. As God is my witness, I ate a half of a box of fresh strawberries and two hours later I was a new man. After taking Alipurnol, colchicine, and vicadin when it got really bad, strawberries have proven to be the gout killer. It doesn't just give me relief, it I feel like I barely have gout now. I eat a handful every other day, and have smoothies, and I haven't had a bout or even a threat of one in three months. This week I decided to really test it. We had a party and there were friends from Puerto Rico here. The last time they were here they brought a bottle of fine rum. I broke it out and we had a fun time. I also ate chocolate, ice cream, red meat, and drank 3 beers, all within 2 hours. This cocktail combination would have proved deadly before I discovered strawberries to be my saving grace. But the only thing I was feeling was hung over!
If you are suffering from gout, try strawberries. Eat a whole box, every day for a week. You can scale back as I did. The antioxidants in strawberries seem to have given me a pseudo cure. I am a new man. More invigorated. My head is more clear. I have much more energy. The only thing I've done is I've gotten off the pills and am eating lots of strawberries. I've also not had coffee for two months. But I'd been wanting to give that up for a long time. Try it. I want to know if it's just working for me, or for others too.
I use acv for my acne except I combine strawberries with it and it really works. I soak the berries in the vineger and then crush them strain it and I apply it on every night before I go to bed. It took about 3 weeks but my face cleared up considerably.