This fruit is loved by adults and children, juices, jams are made from it, added to cookies and sweets. Today we talk about the benefits of strawberries, its properties, composition and use in folk and traditional medicine. You will learn a lot about the familiar berry, which can be used not only for food, but also for the treatment of diseases and ailments.
Calorie and strawberry composition
Strawberries contain a large amount of vitamins and microelements that our body needs so much. However, it is worth remembering that the composition described below applies only to organic strawberries, which grew on unpolluted soil without the use of growth accelerators and toxic chemicals.
It is worth starting with a huge vitamin "complex" that fit in the red berry:
- vitamin A;
- vitamins B1, B2, B3, B9;
- biotin;
- vitamin C;
- vitamin E.
- iron;
- manganese;
- copper;
- fluorine;
- molybdenum;
- cobalt;
- selenium;
- iodine;
- zinc and others.
There are macronutrients that make up the strawberry pulp:
- potassium;
- calcium;
- magnesium;
- chlorine;
- phosphorus;
- sulfur;
- sodium.
100 g of fresh berries contain no more than 37 Kcal. Accordingly, 1 kg of strawberries in calories is equal to 100 g of fatty pork.
100 g of strawberries contain 0.8 g of protein, 0.4 g of fat and 7.5 g of carbohydrates.
Important! Strawberries only fresh have a low calorie content. For example, the calorie content of strawberry jam is 7.5 times more than in fresh berries. At the same time, after processing, some of the vitamins and microelements evaporate.
The effect of strawberries on the body
The substances contained in strawberries bring to the human body an invaluable benefit. Berry "supplies" the necessary vitamins and trace elements, gives energy and positive emotions.
Next, we consider the effect of the berries on the female, male and children's body.
Men
The composition of the strawberry is a very valuable element - zinc. It affects the work and activity of the reproductive system. Thus, in your garden you can grow a natural aphrodisiac in the form of strawberries.
Important! Zinc is used in traditional medicine as part of preparations for impotence, prostatitis and adenoma.
In addition to benefits for the reproductive system, vitamin C berries increases the resistance of the immune system to diseases, strengthening the body.
Women
Strawberries are a valuable product not only for men, but also for women. During pregnancy, the female body does not have enough vitamins and trace elements, since everything valuable goes to the child. Berry does not only replenish vitamins, but also positive effect on the general condition:
- reduces pressure (useful in the third trimester of pregnancy);
- eliminates constipation and has a positive effect on digestion;
- eliminates fetal hypoxia, which appears due to a lack of vitamins;
- strengthens blood vessels, reducing the risk of uterine bleeding.
In addition to benefits during pregnancy, for women will a real panacea mask of strawberries, which nourish the skin and cleanse the pores.
Now you know what the properties of strawberries are for women, but it is worth remembering that in the first months of pregnancy strawberries should be used with extreme caution and, preferably, after consulting a doctor.
Important! You can not abuse the strawberries, as it can cause a skin rash or, in the case of pregnancy, harm the baby.
Children
Many people know about the benefits of strawberries for children, but it is worth remembering that giving it to a baby who is under two years old cannot be. At the age of 7 years, children need to give strawberries a little bit, not more than 100-150 g per day. The thing is that Strawberries often cause allergic reactions, especially in children.
Important! Giving children imported or early strawberries is strictly prohibited!For a child’s body, strawberries are valuable primarily for the presence of iron, which increases hemoglobin level and makes the child less vulnerable to colds. Also, the berry has bactericidal properties against colibacilli and influenza viruses.
We recommend giving children only homemade strawberries, or purchased from friends. It is best to add the berry to desserts, thereby reducing its "concentration" in one meal.
Did you know? Strawberries were brought to Europe only at the end of the 18th century. South America is considered the birthplace of this berry.
Useful properties of strawberry leaves
Few fans of the red berries know that strawberry leaves are as beneficial to the body as the fruits. Green mass is dried, crushed and used as a substitute for tea. Such an interesting drink is not only tasty, but also useful. Strawberry tea treats digestive problems. (bloating, increased acidity, indigestion), arthritis, bronchitis, eczema, gallstones and much more.
Did you know? The biggest strawberry, which was recorded in the Guinness Book of Records, weighed 231 grams.Tea is used not only for medicinal purposes. Many diets for weight loss featured tea from strawberry leaves, as it satisfies hunger. A daily cup of this tea improves skin tone and removes toxins from the body.
However, it is worth remembering that strawberry leaf tea can be harmful if you have the following diseases:
- gastritis;
- allergic to pollen or berry;
- increased acidity;
- hypertension;
- ulcer.
The use of strawberries in traditional medicine
We introduced you to the basic properties of strawberries, which have a positive effect on the body, rejuvenate it, compensate for vitamin deficiencies and help cure certain diseases. Now we will tell a few recipes that will help get rid of diseases and ailments.
Diuretic. 3 tablespoons of fresh strawberries pour 0.3 liters of boiling water and leave for about 40 minutes. You need to drink 150 ml of infusion before meals 3 times a day. This tool can also rinse your mouth to reduce pain or accelerate the regeneration of damaged tissues.
Treatment of weeping wounds. Choose 5 ripe berries, crush them with a wooden spoon in a plate, while maintaining the seeds. The resulting slurry spread with a layer of 1 cm on cotton cloth or bandage, applied to the affected place. Keep the compress you need no more than 15 minutes, otherwise you can get an "acid burn".
Neurosis treatment. You need to prepare 10 g of strawberry flowers and 10 g of clover leaves, mix and pour 300 ml of boiling water. Insist about an hour under a tight lid. You need to drink the infusion 3 times a day, you can add honey or sugar to taste.
Treatment of tuberculosis and other lung diseases. Collect 9-10 sprigs of strawberries with berries, wash and pour 0.5 liters of boiling water. Insist at least 1 hour.
The resulting volume is drunk during the day. Every day you need to prepare a new infusion.
Important! If an allergy occurs, the treatment should be stopped immediately.
How to use strawberries in cosmetology
Let's talk about the usefulness of strawberries for the face and skin, and how an excellent mask or cream can be made from a delicious berry.
Strawberry extract is used in traditional cosmetology as component of expensive masks and creams. Berry has received such popularity due to the following properties:
- cleans and dries the skin;
- relieves acne;
- whitens the epidermis;
- stimulates skin regeneration;
- moisturizes and softens the skin;
- returns skin elasticity.
Did you know? Many people are allergic to strawberries, and to neutralize the effect of the allergen, it is necessary to drink these berries with dairy products.Essentially, strawberries, used as a face mask can remove all signs of aging, cleanse, rejuvenate and tone the skin. This effect can only boast the most expensive skin creams that are not available for "ordinary" people. That is why we will tell you a few recipes for facial masks that will not require you to spend a lot of money.
Whitening mask.
To do this, take 3-4 ripe strawberries (not imported), wash and knead in a plate. The resulting mixture is applied to the face and kept until dry.For dry skin. Two strawberries need to knead in a plate, add 1 tablespoon of fat cottage cheese and make a mask out of the mixture. Keep no more than 1 hour.
For oily skin. We take 2 berries, knead and pour 50 ml of Kombucha. The mixture must be brewed for 3 hours, after which it is filtered and used to apply the mask.
Anti-inflammatory. You need to squeeze out strawberry juice (just squeeze out, not buy), 2 tablespoons of this juice mixed with 1 tablespoon of aloe juice and put in the form of a mask on the face.
Best used regular strawberries from summer cottages. If you take the store berries, large, then the effect may not be. It should be understood that it is grown for food purposes, and the large size does not always indicate the presence of the necessary vitamins and trace elements, due to which the skin is cleansed.
Contraindications and possible harm from strawberries
Strawberries, like many vegetables or fruits, have their own contraindications, which are based on its composition.
The first thing to know: strawberries - a strong allergen. This berry even in small quantities can cause skin rashes, itching or redness. And if you strongly “get carried away” and eat a lot of fruits, then even a person who does not suffer from allergies may have similar symptoms. Separately, I want to say about the purchase and import of strawberries, which are ten times more likely to cause allergies or intoxication of the body.
Strawberry is contraindicated for people. with appendicitis, as well as suffering from gastric and hepatic colic.
With care you need to eat strawberries elderly people, "cores" and hypertensive patients, as strawberries include substances that increase pressure.
Strawberry has no other contraindications. Therefore, if you are not allergic to this fruit, you can enjoy the taste of fresh berries, use strawberries for cold treatment, put on cleansing masks, make tea from the foliage or use various strawberry treats.