Study shows strawberries can provide immense health benefits

California Strawberry CommissionMar 10 2010

New Study Shows Eating Strawberries Daily Can Quickly Improve Health

When it comes to eating healthy, most people know it's a good long-term choice, but what they may not know is that eating certain foods daily can provide immediate health benefits. According to a new UCLA study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, the antioxidant power in strawberries becomes "bioavailable" or ready to work in the blood after just a few short weeks of eating, resulting in the potential to improve the body's defense against chronic disease.

"There's a lot of talk today about the levels of antioxidants in fruit," said Dave Grotto, RD, and author of 101 Optimal Life Foods, "But just because a food contains antioxidants does not guarantee that those antioxidants are available for use by the body once eaten. This study validates the importance of eating super foods like strawberries on a regular basis."

Take the "Eat Healthy to Win" Challenge!

• Commit to adding more fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet every day beginning today until March 31, 2010.
• Share your progress with us on the California Strawberry Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/castrawberries any time during March for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card.
• Three winners will be randomly selected and contacted via Facebook on April 1, 2010.
• For 50 ways to eat strawberries, download the new strawberry recipe iPhone app at http://bit.ly/8LANJo

The UCLA Study

Twenty-one healthy women ate about one-half pound of strawberries daily for three weeks. Several measures of antioxidant capacity in the blood were taken. Eating strawberries resulted in an increase in the body's ability to prevent the oxidation of blood lipids such as LDL cholesterol. Increased levels of oxidized LDL cholesterol in the blood have been identified as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the number one killer of women and men. The complete study can be found by clicking on the following link: http://tinyurl.com/ygjt9ro

Enjoying strawberries regularly can increase the body's antioxidant capacity, which may have heart, health and other benefits. With continued research findings about the positive role they play in overall health, coupled with their year-round availability, strawberries are a superfruit that can be enjoyed everday.