Are Strawberries Good for Weight Loss?

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Weight loss alert! If you want to satisfy your sweet tooth without ruining your diet, strawberries are just what you need.

Irresistible for their sweet and juicy texture as well as their brilliant red color, strawberries are so delicious. The best thing is that after you eat strawberries, you will not be tempted to grab something unhealthy.

Throughout history, people have used them in every possible way. They made desserts and candies, used strawberries for skincare, and even flavored lip gloss with them.

In this article, you will learn everything there is to know about strawberries and how they can help you lose weight so that you can safely incorporate strawberries into your diet. You will also get a recipe for a strawberry smoothie that will become your go-to weight loss drink.

With so few calories, strawberry’s natural sugars, organic acids, and fiber are able to satisfy your appetite and help you lose weight. Strawberries can help regulate blood sugar and insulin levels to maintain a healthy body weight, get rid of belly fat, and avoid cellulite.

Nutrients present in strawberries stimulate the production of weight-reducing hormones – leptin and adiponectin – which help burn fat and enhance metabolism. For instance, adiponectin stimulates insulin activity, which prevents the accumulation of visceral fat, also known as belly fat, which covers organs deep within your abdomen and causes chronic inflammation.

Strawberry is safe to consume for people with diabetes because of its relatively low glycemic index (41). Generally speaking, the lower the glycemic index of a food, the lower the blood sugar spike. One cup of raw strawberries can safely satisfy the sugar craving of someone with diabetes without making their blood sugar skyrocket and aid in weight loss.

According to growing research, strawberries are a functional food that offers a bunch of health benefits. It should be noted that strawberry cultivars and agricultural practices have an impact on bioactive factors and the nutritional value of strawberries. Try to consume only sodium-free varieties of strawberries.

The best strawberries to choose are those that are bright red, have a natural shine, and have bright green caps.

Strawberry Nutrition Facts

Strawberry is a superfood low in calories and rich in soluble fiber, which promotes weight loss. It is packed with important nutrients such as vitamin C and A, as well as folate and a lot of minerals, including potassium, magnesium, iodine, calcium, and zinc.

Did you know that strawberry has the lowest calorie count of all berries? In fact, 100g of raw strawberries has only 32 calories, 0.7g of protein, 0.3g of fat, and 7.7g of carbs.

7 Health Benefits of Strawberry

Strawberries’ bright red color and soft texture have surprising health benefits for your immunity, cardiovascular and digestive system, as well as skin and hair.

Moreover, strawberries promote weight loss since they help fight inflammation, the number one cause and consequence of obesity.

Here are the top 7 health benefits that are hidden in a pack of strawberries in your nearby grocery store.

#1 Good for immunity

Strawberry contains a powerful combination of natural chemicals and antioxidants, such as vitamin C and A, anthocyanin, and fiber, which are essential for the creation of several different immune cells as well as for reducing inflammation.

Researchers have found that obese people who tend to suffer from inflammation benefit significantly when they incorporate strawberries into their weight loss diet. These benefits are particularly noticeable when it comes to blood sugar management, which is directly linked to weight loss.

#2 Has antioxidant properties

Strawberry has a beautiful red hue that is not only captivating but also healing in a way it repairs and protects your body from diseases.

Vitamin C and A in strawberries make your skin soft and supple by promoting cellular regeneration.

The results of prior and ongoing studies suggest that strawberry extracts have significant biological effects on breast cancer cells, meaning they can help prevent cancer.

#3 Might lower your cholesterol

Antioxidants in strawberries help cleanse your blood vessels of plaque, so consuming them as part of a healthy diet lowers your bad cholesterol and promotes weight loss.

Studies suggest that eating one pound of strawberries for a month or two can decrease bad cholesterol by roughly 10%. However, strawberries, as any other food, should be consumed in moderation, to support your goals, rather than be the only means to reaching them.

#4 Regulates blood pressure

Researchers found that anthocyanin contained in strawberries helps unclog the blood vessels and reduces the risk of hypertension and heart disease.

Eating strawberries may cause more bruising and bleeding if taken with medications that also slow clotting. Consult your doctor if you eat strawberries along with such medications.

#5 High fiber content

The fiber in strawberries helps slow down the absorption of sugar in your stomach and prevent weight gain. Not to mention that strawberries can easily replace sugary foods and aid in weight loss if used creatively.

According to the USDA, one cup of raw strawberries provides nearly 2.88 grams of fiber per 46.1 calories, while half a cup of whole-grain brown rice with 124 calories has only 1.6 grams.

Generally, men and women should aim for 38 to 25 grams of fiber a day, respectively, to protect gut health and lose weight.

#6 Promotes prenatal health

Strawberries are naturally rich in folate, which is recommended for pregnant women and those who want to conceive since it can help prevent some serious brain and spinal defects.

You can add variety to your prenatal nutrition plan by eating raw strawberries, which have 24 grams of folate in 100 grams of berries.

#7 Helps fight inflammation

It is recommended to eat strawberries regularly to protect at-risk men and women from bleeding disorders and chronic inflammation caused by their eating habits.

Because strawberries are naturally high in antioxidants such as pelargonidin, ellagic acid, ellagitannins, and procyanidins, they have anti-inflammatory properties. It is important to eat strawberries if you are on a weight loss diet and struggling to lose belly fat.

Athletes should also add strawberries to their diet to reduce inflammation, which is a major enemy of their muscles.

Drawbacks of Strawberry

Excessive consumption of strawberries can make you sick and cause heartburn, diarrhea, or reflux. In addition, there is a small but real chance that some people might be allergic to strawberries.

Certain sour strawberry varieties are very acidic and can cause heartburn. Choosing sweet strawberries over sour ones will help you avoid heartburn. Generally, heartburn can be treated by eating alkaline foods like bananas and melons. In case this doesn’t help, you may need to take heartburn medications.

Conversely, sweet strawberries may cause diarrhea when consumed without moderation because they are high in fructose. It is recommended to eat no more than 8 strawberries per day to avoid this inconvenience. If you have diarrhea, eat fiber-rich foods like whole grains, beans, etc.

Strawberry allergy is very rare but severe. It usually manifests as a rash, itchy mouth, breathing difficulties, swelling face, vomiting, or other symptoms that should be treated by a doctor.

FAQs

Conclusion

Because strawberries are delicious, highly nutritious, and low in calories at the same time, they make weight loss much more enjoyable.

These berries have powerful natural chemicals, vitamins, and minerals, so they’re excellent for gut and heart health, controlling blood sugar, skin and hair care, fighting inflammation, and even aging.

Even when you think of strawberries, there’s something irresistible about their fragrance, texture, and bright color that makes your mouth water.

The key is to choose sweet strawberries over sour ones and limit portion sizes to avoid heartburn or diarrhea.

Get healthy and lose weight in style with strawberries by your side.