Nutritional Value of Strawberries
Sweet, juicy strawberries have been tickling taste buds for thousands of years. Strawberry lovers in the United States enjoy access to strawberries all year long, primarily from the summer crops of California and Oregon, and the winter crops of Florida. Good thing, too, now that researchers have confirmed that strawberries may have an even greater impact on neurological health. Fresh strawberries pack such a powerful nutritional punch that they might be worthy of another name: "brain berries."
Calories
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has established, for nutritional labeling purposes, that one cup of fresh strawberries is equivalent to 144 grams and is approximately eight large strawberries. A one cup serving provides 46 calories, of which 28 calories come from sugar and 4 calories come from fat.
Carbohydrates
One cup of fresh strawberries provides 11 grams of carbohydrates, of which 3 grams are dietary fiber and 7 grams are sugar.
Vitamin C
According to USDA recommendations, the average adult following a 2,000 calorie per day diet should strive to consume 60 milligrams of vitamin C every day. Strawberries are rich in vitamin C. One cup of fresh strawberries provides about 85 milligrams of vitamin C, or roughly 140 percent of the recommended daily allowance.
Folate
Folate is one of the water-soluble B vitamins that composes the vitamin B complex. According to the National Institutes of Health, folate helps produce new cells and maintain the health of those cells. One cup of fresh strawberries provides 34.6 micrograms of folate, or 9 percent of the USDA daily recommended allowance.
Antioxidants
Strawberries are a rich source of antioxidants. Antioxidants are nutrients that help prevent and repair damage to cells and which may strengthen the body's immune system and even lower the risk of cancer. Based on a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, strawberries rank third on a list of the top 50 food sources for antioxidants.
"Brain Berries"
Strawberries might easily be called "brain berries" based on the latest research presented at the 3rd Biennial Berry Health Symposium in Monterey, California, in June 2009. According to those research studies, laboratory results confirmed that older adults who consumed strawberries on a regular basis experienced improved brain function and memory, along with a reduced rate of overall cognitive decline.
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