Did you know that about 10 strawberries are enough to cover 80 to 100 percent of an adult’s daily vitamin C requirement? This fruit is not only refreshing and tasty, but also a true health powerhouse: rich in water, fiber and especially vitamin C, which is essential for the immune system and skin health.
Antioxidants and … dental health?
Strawberries are also an important source of anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants that protect the heart and blood vessels. But there’s more: they contain xylitol, a natural sugar that helps block the metabolism of bacteria responsible for dental plaque, making this fruit an ally for your smile as well.
Botanical curiosity
Perhaps not everyone knows that the “real” fruit of the strawberry is actually the tiny seeds visible on its surface. Instead, the red, juicy part we eat is the receptacle, an enlarged, tender structure that supports them.
How to enjoy strawberries?
They are delicious au naturel, perhaps with a few drops of lemon juice to enhance the flavor, but they lend themselves to a thousand preparations:
- fresh fruit salads
- pies and cakes with fresh fruit
- smoothies, milkshakes, ice creams and sorbets (even by simply blending frozen strawberries)
- added to yogurt or in homemade jams, perfect for breakfast or snack time
Strawberries in a savory version? Yes, and with flavor!
Why not try them in savory dishes as well? Strawberries, thanks to their acidity and freshness, facilitate the absorption of iron from foods. Try them in salads along with arugula, radicchio or spinach, dressed with a balsamic vinegar vinaigrette – a classic and irresistible combination.
For an original spring idea, I recommend combining strawberries and asparagus:
- Prepare a venus rice topped with a thinly sliced asparagus and spring onion stir-fry, adding the strawberries only at the time of serving.
- You can also use them as a side dish with raw or cooked asparagus, or enhance a salad with a few slivers of almonds.
I assure you that this unusual but balanced mix will surprise the palate!
by dietitian Alessandra Zanini
Sources:
- en
- https://smartfood.ieo.it/
- Strawberry as a health promoter: an evidence based review by Francesca Giampieri, Tamara Y Forbes-Hernandez, Massimiliano Gasparrini, José M Alvarez-Suarez, Sadia Afrin, Stefano Bompadre, Josè L Quiles, Bruno Mezzetti, Maurizio Battino – PMID: 25803191
- Food composition database for epidemiological studies in Italy – IEO.IT
