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This year, strawberries mature a little later, but we can fully enjoy their taste and take advantage of their numerous, great health properties. These berries quench thirst, heal sore throat and hoarseness. They provide relief in disorders of the urinary system and improve the appetite (in these cases, strawberries should be eaten before a meal). The high content of vitamins should convince people struggling with anaemia and vitamin deficiency to consume them in the season.

What other properties do strawberries have?
1. Anticancer properties
Strawberries owe these properties to a significant amount of vitamin C and ellagic acid, which is an antioxidant that supports the immune system and prevents cell transformation. Strawberries can also neutralize the carcinogenic effects of nitrosamines that accumulate in thermally processed foods. The dietary fibre contained in strawberries supports intestinal peristalsis, which prevents the development of colon cancer.
2. Cholesterol-lowering properties
Strawberries also contain flavonoids (anthocyanins, catechins, quercetin and kaempferol), which help lower cholesterol, affect the stability of atherosclerotic plaques, improve the function of the vascular endothelium, and reduce the tendency to venous thrombosis.
3. Whitening properties
Strawberries can whiten your teeth and prevent the build-up of tartar. To test this theory, rub the teeth and gums with the cut strawberry, leave it for 45 minutes, and then rinse with warm water.
4. Strawberries and diabetes
The berries described have a low glycaemic index of 40 and contain fructose, which is metabolized without insulin, so people with diabetes can eat them with impunity. In addition, the fisetins (flavonoids) in strawberries help reduce complications associated with type 1 diabetes, including numbness in the hands and feet.
5. Health benefits of the leaves
The green leaves of strawberries are rich in tannins, mineral salts, and organic acids. In natural medicine, infusion of leaves is recommended in the case of diarrhoea, colitis, or bleeding from the female genital tract. A decoction of the leaves can be used for kidney stones and can be dried and powdered as compresses for minor burns.

Interesting facts:

• One cup of strawberries contains 82 mg of vitamin C, which is 120% of the daily requirement of an adult.
• Research from the Archives of Ophthalmology has shown that eating three or more servings of fruits with the same amount of vitamin C as strawberries can reduce the risk of blindness in older adults.
• Scientists in Europe have found that eating strawberries protects the lining of the stomach from alcohol-induced damage.
• Spanish and Italian scientists have confirmed that polyphenol-rich strawberry extract can inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer cells.
• Scientists from the United States and the United Kingdom have shown that consuming at least three servings of strawberries a week can reduce the risk of a heart attack in women by a third.

PLEASE NOTE!
Strawberries are very allergenic, so they should be given carefully to children from the age of 10 months. Allergy can occur even in an adult who has not had such problems before. These berries contain salicylic acid, people allergic to it will not be able to eat them. Also, people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome will have to give up on them.