Health Benefits of Strawberries

Strawberries are a fruit that is commonly eaten and has a lot of health benefits. It is rich in the antioxidants called anthocyanin and ellagitannin. Anthocyanins help to reduce inflammation, protect cell structures in the body, and prevent oxygen damage to the body's organ systems. Ellagitannins are effective at fighting cancer cells, especially colon and cervical cancer. Strawberries can be used to clean and whiten teeth and to freshen breath. The peak season for ripeness is between April and July.

Strawberries are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese, folic acid, potassium, riboflavin, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, copper, magnesium, folate, and omega-3 fatty acids. Strawberries have more vitamin C in them per serving than oranges. Vitamin C is important because it helps the brain to function properly and helps the body to rebuild blood vessels, tendons, ligaments, and bones. It also helps to keep blood pressure low. One serving of strawberries has 210 mg of potassium, which is a mineral that helps to regulate the electrolytes in the body and lower the risk of heart attack and stroke. Strawberries are also high in folate, which are important when it comes to the manufacturing of red blood cells.

Whiten Teeth with Strawberries

Strawberries have an astringent called malic acid that can remove discoloration from teeth. You can use strawberries to whiten teeth by crushing a few fresh strawberries into a pulp. You would then add a pinch of baking soda and enough water to mix it into a paste. Apply the paste to a toothbrush and spread the mixture onto your teeth. Let it set for five minutes. Brush your teeth for a few minutes with the paste and then rinse with water. This can only be done every 3 or 4 months because using it more than that can have a negative effect by eroding tooth enamel due to the acid in strawberries.

Fight Cancer with Berries

Berries, such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and cranberries, contain ellagic acid and polypenols, such as anthocyanidins and proantocyanidins, that promote the death of cancer cells. Berries are also high in antioxidants, which attract and neutralize free radicals that could damage body cells in ways that could cause cancer, heart disease, and age-related eye damage. They are also good source of vitamin C and could help to prevent or reverse the disease processes of diabetes, heart disease, and stomach ulcers. They can also help to lower cholesterol levels. It is best to eat them raw in their whole fruit form instead of eating processed berries or fruit drinks that are made from berries.

How to Pick and Store Fruit

Have you ever been in a grocery store and was a little confused on what to look for when selecting the perfect fruit? I’ll tell you some things to look for.

When it comes to bananas you should pick ones that are yellow and have no brown spotting. They can be a little bit green as long as they are not completely green. Do not put bananas in the refrigerator because it makes them rot and darken quicker. You should lay them on their side on a counter. Laying a banana on its back can bruise it and laying it on its side helps it to ripen better.

When it comes to cantaloupe the best time to buy them is between June and August. When picking one you should make sure that it is free of dents and bruises. Minor dents and bruises will not spoil the fruit inside. To check if it’s ripe, gently press your thumb on its stem at the end of the fruit to see if it is soft. You should also sniff it to see if it smells sweet.

When it comes to peaches the best time to buy them is between August and September. To check its ripeness, you should look for golden undertones with a slight reddish color. Sniff the fruit to see if it smells sweet. If it doesn’t have a sweet odor it has been picked too early. It should also be firm and not hard. Do not store peaches in the refrigerator or they will become mushy instead of ripe. You should place them in a paper bag for a day or two so that they ripen correctly.

Strawberries are good to buy any time of the summer. You should check to make sure they are firm, have a vibrant color, and free of bruises. You should also sniff them to see if they smell fresh. Make sure you rinse them thoroughly and store them in an airtight drawer in the refrigerator to keep them fresh longer.

When buying a watermelon you should look for one with a dark green outer shell and that is slightly yellow or lighter green stripes. A watermelon that is too ripe will be sugary and hollow. Make sure it doesn’t have cracks, bruises, or soft spots. Storing a watermelon whole without cutting it makes it last longer.

To check the ripeness of a fruit if helps to flick the fruit with your finger on its side. You should be listening for a ping sound and not a thud sound. A fruit tastes best when you eat it within a few days of buying it.