The long-awaited summer has come! And with it, it's time for delicious berries, fruits, vegetables and other multi-colored greens that are associated with these warm days. Juicy apples, gooseberries, currants, red watermelons, ripe strawberries - this and much more makes every summer even more wonderful.
Strawberries are…
One can talk endlessly about the beneficial properties of this berry. Is it just a berry? Recently, more and more often on the global expanses of the Internet you can find a huge number of articles and posts decorated with exclamation and question marks: “Is strawberries a berry or a nut ?!” Let's try to figure it out.
What is most often found in beds and vegetable gardens and is called "strawberries", is a receptacle. But the real fruits of strawberries are small yellowish nuts that are on the surface of this tasty and sweet pulp.
Moreover, there is one more amendment - what people call strawberries, in fact, its close relative: garden strawberries. Accordingly, another conclusion follows from this -Strawberry is also not a berry.
Useful properties of strawberries
You can talk a lot about the beneficial properties of this berry (we will already call it a rooted name). First of all, it is worth noting that it is rich in vitamin C. By the way, five strawberries contain the same amount of vitamin C as a large orange. In addition, in terms of the content of the same vitamin, it is second only to lemon and blackcurrant.
In addition, the berry-nut contains a large amount of fiber, potassium, calcium and magnesium. It is a source of antioxidants that significantly reduce the chances of developing chronic diseases and help you lose weight.
Moreover, studies have shown that if you regularly eat 1 glass of strawberries for 8-10 days, you can significantly reduce blood pressure, which means you can significantly reduce the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease.
Use and storage of strawberries
Strawberry is a rather capricious berry, it spoils very quickly. That is why, when picking berries, you need to be extremely careful - in no case should you pick fruits that contain the slightest signs of rottenness or bruising. For consumption, it is best to select maroon berries-nuts, the sepals should not be torn off - it is better stored with them.
The shelf life of strawberries is no more than three days. Before storing the berries in the refrigerator, it is not necessary to wash them. It is better to fold them on a napkin and pack them in a vacuumcontainer, after sprinkling the berries with lemon juice. But before use, of course, the berries must be thoroughly washed. Strawberries keep well in the freezer without losing their beneficial properties. Before freezing, the berries should be washed well and cut off their leaves.
It is best to eat strawberries fresh. It is worth recalling that these berries are quite a serious allergen. That is why it should be used with extreme caution, especially for young children and pregnant women.
Some interesting facts about strawberries
- Scientists have proven that daily consumption of strawberries significantly strengthens the immune system.
- The presence of iodine in strawberries compensates for its deficiency in the daily diet.
- Strawberries are an excellent diuretic.
- Strawberries contain substances that have excellent aseptic and anti-inflammatory effects.
- Strawberry is a component that is recommended to be included in the diet of people with diabetes.
- Strawberries and their juice perfectly dry the skin of the face, remove rashes, and also help get rid of freckles and age spots.
- In some countries and states, a new trend has emerged - to eat unripe strawberries. They are marinated and soaked in various syrups.
- Strawberries are 88% water.
- Eating strawberries helps the brain and also optimizes the functioning of the nervous system.
- Strawberry containsa large number of antioxidants and substances that prevent the development of cancer.
And finally
Strawberry? What is it: a berry or a nut? Whatever it was and no matter what the crowds of scientists say, it’s probably not tastier than this berry. Possessing a huge number of useful properties, its fruits are good both fresh and frozen, canned and other cooking variations.
Very often, strawberries are recommended for use by the elderly. The fact is that the substances contained in strawberries contribute to the so-called "rejuvenation" of the body and brain cells. Do not forget about the iodine present in it, which also has a beneficial effect on the cells of our body.
Strawberry is a berry that, in addition to a huge number of useful properties, is also incredibly tasty. The smell of jam made from these fruits can remind you of summer warmth and the taste of fresh and ripe strawberries on cold winter evenings.
