I recently posted an entry about the nutritional value of cherries accompanied by the Neil Diamond song, Cherry, Cherry. For you Beatles’ fans out there, today we will focus on strawberries.
The USDA reports that 1 cup of sliced, fresh strawberries, or 166 grams (g), contains the following nutrients:
- calories: 53 calories
- protein: 1.11 g
- carbohydrates: 12.7 g
- dietary fiber: 3.30 g
- calcium: 27 milligrams (mg)
- iron: 0.68 mg
- magnesium: 22 mg
- phosphorus: 40 mg
- potassium: 254 mg
- vitamin C: 97.60 mg
- folate: 40 micrograms
- vitamin A: 20 international unit
Strawberries are rich in phytochemicals, antioxidants and flavonoids, such as quercetin. The anti-inflammatory effects of quercetin may reduce the chances of developing heart vessel blockage. There are also reports of strawberries helping to reduce the risk of developing certain cancers, more specifically the GI tract.
The bottom line: Although in general, fruit intake should be modest for long-term weight control, strawberries are a good choice and will provide a more positive health impact than other fruits such as watermelon.
And for you Beatles’ fans: Strawberry Fields Forever was written by John Lennon, recorded in 1966 and Strawberry Field as actually a Salvation Army children’s home that was located near Lennon’s childhood home in Woolten.
Enjoy some good old psychedelic music: