- Eating strawberries daily lowers the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
- The study highlights strawberries’ role in promoting heart health and glucose control.
- A serving of strawberries provides essential nutrients and fulfills the daily vitamin C requirement.
A new study has revealed that consuming strawberries daily can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The research, presented at the Nutrition 2024 annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, underscores the health benefits of this popular fruit.
Strawberries are not only beloved for their taste but are also known for promoting heart health. This fruit, often celebrated as America’s favorite, has now been linked to improved cardiovascular health and better glucose control, according to SciTech Daily.
Dr. Lasantha Krishan Hirimuthugoda, a postdoctoral research associate at the Illinois Institute of Technology, shared these findings. The study examined the dose-related effects of strawberry intake on endothelial function and glucose control, focusing on how flow-mediated dilation (FMD) responses correlate with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
The study included 36 women and 32 men, aged 20 to 62 years, with an average body mass index (BMI) of 29.8. The researchers assessed the impact of eating strawberries daily for four weeks on FMD and its relationship with CVD risk. The results showed that daily strawberry consumption significantly influenced the FMD percentage, indicating a positive effect on heart health.
Preliminary analyses also suggested no significant differences between interventions in changes from baseline glucose levels. Co-author Britt Burton-Freeman, PhD, a professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology, emphasized the importance of fruit in the diet, stating, “A diet low in fruit is among the top three risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Adding as little as one cup of strawberries a day to your diet may show beneficial effects on your cardiovascular health.”
Notably, a serving of eight strawberries (one cup) fulfills the daily recommended value of vitamin C and provides a range of other nutrients and beneficial bioactive compounds.
