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The secrets of strawberries

We love them for their intense aroma, for the flavor they add to any dessert, but also for their health and beauty benefits. But there are also lesser known things about strawberries.

 

Ever wonder what the deal is with the strawberries? Why are they more popular than other fruits, why have they become a romantic movie cliché, why is their flavor used in cosmetics? There was even a museum dedicated to them, somewhere in Belgium.

Maybe because in ancient times, they were considered "medicinal fruits" - and rightly so, as they are rich in antioxidants, or the "fruit of peace".

Or maybe it's pure science: researching the molecular basis (that is, about 350 molecules) of their flavor, the researchers came to the conclusion that this fruit would have an ideal formula and a perfect balance between taste and smell, satisfying the consumers' senses.

An interesting discovery: unlike raspberries, there is not a single "strawberry smell" molecule in the strawberry fruit, but several, and some of these tickle the smell receptors only when we chew the fruit.

By no means negligible, the appearance of strawberries is able to arouse appetite thanks to the color, shape and specific characteristics of the perfect fruit for consumption: the intense red that contrasts with the green of the leaves, the robust silhouette or the shine of the flesh, an indication of the freshness of the strawberries. These are also the arguments that fruit growers take into account when they choose to produce them.

By far the most important argument in favor of strawberries is, however, their benefits for the health and beauty of the skin.

A medium strawberry can be richer in vitamin C than an orange, for example, and their deep red color is due to anthocyanins, a powerful antioxidant. They also contain manganese and also impressive amounts of folate (vitamin B9 or folic acid is important for normal tissue growth and cell function and is recommended during pregnancy) and potassium. Although they are sweet, they have a glycemic index (GI) of 40, which makes them safe for consumption by people with diabetes or those on a diet. They are also said to help prevent cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

There are, however, some concerns about strawberries. I mean, they're so good, you could eat more than a kilo at once. But according to experts, consuming excess strawberries can cause complications among people with kidney problems, as the kidneys cannot eliminate the large amount of potassium ingested. Also, in extreme cases, too much strawberry can cause breathing difficulties (not only in case of allergy to the fruit or pollen), palpitations or vomiting. Strawberries contain goitrogens that can interfere with thyroid gland function in people with thyroid problems. That's why it's important to monitor our reactions when we eat strawberries and respect the indicated portions – that is, 8 medium-sized strawberries).

Learn how to freeze strawberries here.