Strawberries are one of the most popular berries in America. They are rich in antioxidants and fibers that can help keep your tummy healthy. From the animal experiments conducted so far, strawberries seem to be good for your stomach.
As compared to other organs, the stomach is known to create a tremendous amount of free radicals (highly reactive substances that can damage cells and tissues) that contribute to oxidative stress. This oxidative stress plays a major role in the development of multiple disorders, such as gastritis (inflammation of the stomach), stomach ulcers, or stomach cancer.
In a study that was conducted on rats, strawberry extracts prevented alcohol-induced damage to the lining (gastric mucosa) of the rats’ stomachs. Alcohol caused severe damage to the stomach and consumption of strawberries prevented the worsening of the damage. The study attributed these effects to the antioxidant activity and polyphenol content (anthocyanins) of strawberries. It was concluded that a diet rich in strawberries might exert a beneficial effect in the prevention of stomach disorders caused by oxidative stress (oxidative stress is known to induce inflammatory processes).
Eating strawberries may help prevent or treat
- Stomach ulcer formation
- H pylori infection
- Alcohol-induced stomach problems
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) related gastritis
Are strawberries healthy for your bowels?
Animal experiments have been conducted to find out if strawberries can help treat inflammatory conditions of the bowel (intestine). A research was conducted on mice at the University of Massachusetts Amherst; the study found that dietary consumption of whole strawberries may help in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by suppressing symptoms like body weight loss and bloody diarrhea.
Another animal study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that strawberry increases the abundance of potentially beneficial bacteria and decreases the abundance of potentially harmful bacteria. The research concluded that along with its anti-inflammatory activity, the beneficial effect of strawberries on the gut bacteria may help in maintaining colonic health. Consuming strawberries may help in the prevention of inflammatory diseases of the colon (large bowel).
How to identify fresh raw strawberries?
To derive maximum nutritional benefits from eating raw strawberries, you should eat them fresh. Choose strawberries that are:
- Medium-sized
- Deep red or bright red
- Shiny
- Firm
- Plump
- Having their caps green and intact
How to eat strawberries?
Rinse the strawberries with cold water just before you eat them. Do not wash and keep them for eating later as molds may develop over them.
You can eat fresh strawberries as a whole or in any of the below ways:
- Sprinkled on top of whole-grain cereal, oatmeal, or yogurt
- Mixed with green leafy vegetables
- Smoothie (combined with yogurt or milk)
- Beverages
- Jams
- Jellies
Remember to eat strawberries in moderation as they are high in sugar.
Strawberry is low in potassium and can be consumed in moderation if you have a kidney problem. Just do not consume large quantities because this can increase your potassium levels (hyperkalemia). Hyperkalemia can cause life-threatening problems in your heart rhythm.
QUESTION
What percentage of the human body is water? See AnswerAmerican Chemical Society (ACS). Strawberries Could Help Reduce Harmful Inflammation in the Colon. August 7, 2018. https://www.newswise.com/articles/strawberries-could-help-reduce-harmful-inflammation-in-the-colon
Henning S, Chang H-W, Yan D, et al. California strawberry consumption alters gut microbiome in healthy participants: A pilot study. Curr Dev Nutr. 2020;4(Suppl 2):1561. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5385025/
Han Y, Song M, Gu M, et al. Dietary intake of whole strawberry inhibited colonic inflammation in dextran-sulfate-sodium-treated mice via restoring immune homeostasis and alleviating gut microbiota dysbiosis. J Agric Food Chem. 2019 Aug 21;67(33):9168-9177. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30810035/
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Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
What Are the Nutritional Benefits of Eating Strawberries?
Strawberries are chock full of vitamins. They contain Vitamin C, folate, potassium, antioxidants, manganese, and fiber, among other beneficial nutrients.
Which Berries Are the Healthiest, and What Are the Benefits?
Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries are all incredibly nutritious and boast similar health benefits. Other types of berries like acai berries, goji berries, and cranberries are also great sources of antioxidants, essential minerals, and vitamins.