Strawberry Consumption Shown to Have Health Benefits for Women

According to a statement released Tuesday by the California Strawberry Commission, some of the latest research from Harvard Medical School has unearthed that fact that strawberries might offer cardiovascular disease protection. A newly cited study found that those who reported eating the most strawberries experienced lower blood levels of C-reactive protein, which is a biomarker for inflammation in the blood vessels.

C-reactive protein (CRP)is a blood biomarker that signals the presence of inflammation in the body. Multiple studies have demonstrated that elevated levels of CRP are a potentially good predictor of risk for both heart disease and stroke, as the biochemical is typically a signal warning of atherosclerosis.

The Centers for Disease Control and American Heart Association have consider that blood levels of CRP higher than 3 mg/L might be important in the risk stratification and prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Utilizing the dietary intake records of approximately 27,000 of the women who participated in the decade-long Women's Health Study, Howard Sesso, ScD and colleagues at the Harvard School of Public Health found that women who ate two or more servings per week, as compared to those who reported eating none in the past month, were 14 percent less likely to have elevated C-reactive protein levels.

What's more, women who, relatively speaking, ate a lot of strawberries ate nearly twice as many servings of fruits and vegetables every day as did women in the lowest intake group. They had significantly higher average intakes of important nutrients like fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and folate. They were also most likely to be non-smokers and get daily physical activity - all of which are lifestyle and dietary factors that contribute to longevity and increased vitality.

It has been known for some time that strawberries contain significant levels of phytonutrients and antioxidants; it is thought by some researchers that the high levels of antioxidants in the berries, including the highly desirable anthocyanins, quercetin, and ellagic acid, are what mainly contribute to their red color. In studies published a few years ago, organically-grown strawberries were found to contain nearly 20% more antioxidants than the conventionally-grown berries.

Strawberries are also known for providing vitamin K and manganese, folic acid, potassium, riboflavin, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, copper, iron, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Holistic nutritionists have recommended eating strawberries in order to fight an inefficientky functioning liver, constipation, gout, rheumatism, high blood pressure, catarrh, and skin cancer.

While they taste exquisite and are inclusive parts of many a delicious dessert, strawberries only contain 60 calories per cup.

Strawberries are a rich source of several key nutrients and phytonutrients that may play a role in protecting heart health. This is the first study to show that strawberries may help reduce the likelihood of having elevated CRP levels in the blood. While more research is needed, this study helps provide more evidence that eating fruits and vegetables will help reduce risk for cardiovascular disease," said Sesso.

Source:
California Strawberry Commission (PR Newswire), "Strawberry Consumption Associated with C-Reactive Protein Among Women: New Harvard Study"