Apart from being delicious and juicy, strawberries are packed with nutrients too. Here is a brief overview about the nutrients in these fruits.
Everybody loves luscious, juicy strawberries, that offer innumerable health benefits. The history of strawberries can be traced back to 234 B.C., when their wild variants were found abundantly in Italy. The Native Americans started cultivating these fruits during the latter part of the seventeenth century. Another contention is that, strawberries were cultivated by humans before the Christian era, and were highly valued by the ancient Romans, who used these berries for their medicinal properties.
It was in the eighteenth century, that garden strawberry varieties were bred from the existent ones, and this triggered the commercial production of this fruit. The fleshy part of the strawberry develops from the receptacle that holds the ovaries, and not from the ovaries. So strawberry is also classified as an accessory fruit or false fruit. Today, there are around 600 varieties of strawberries, that are cultivated across the globe.
Nutritional Value
Strawberries are also valued for their nutritional benefits, as they are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. 100 grams of raw strawberries amount to 32 calories, and contain 7.7 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of dietary fiber, 4.9 grams of sugar, 0.67 gram of protein, and 91 grams of water. There is no cholesterol in this fruit, and the amount of fat is very low – 0.3 gram. The following table provides an in-depth information about the nutrients in 100 grams of raw strawberries.
| Nutrient | Value |
| Vitamin A | 12 IU |
| Vitamin C | 58.8 mg |
| Vitamin B1 | 0.024 mg |
| Vitamin B2 | 0.022 mg |
| Vitamin B3 | 0.386 mg |
| Vitamin E | 0.29 mg |
| Vitamin K | 2.2 mcg |
| Folate | 24 mcg |
| Calcium | 16 mg |
| Magnesium | 13 mg |
| Potassium | 153 mg |
| Phosphorus | 24 mg |
| Iron | 0.41 mg |
| Zinc | 0.14 mg |
* Source: USDA National Nutrient Database
100 grams of frozen, unsweetened strawberries amount to 35 calories, and contain 90 grams of water, 0.43 gram of protein, 0.11 gram of fat, 9.1 grams of carbohydrates, 2.1 grams of dietary fiber, and 4.5 grams of sugar. Other nutrients and their values are given in the table below.
| Nutrient | Value |
| Vitamin A | 45 IU |
| Vitamin C | 41.2 mg |
| Vitamin B1 | 0.022 mg |
| Vitamin B2 | 0.037 mg |
| Vitamin B3 | 0.462 mg |
| Vitamin E | 0.29 mg |
| Vitamin K | 2.2 mcg |
| Folate | 17 mcg |
| Calcium | 16 mg |
| Magnesium | 11 mg |
| Potassium | 153 mg |
| Phosphorus | 13 mg |
| Iron | 0.75 mg |
| Zinc | 0.13 mg |
* Source: USDA National Nutrient Database
Health Benefits
Strawberries contain lots of nutrients, and are considered as an excellent source of vitamin C and flavonoids, with antioxidant properties. They have a high level of antioxidants, like anthocyanins and ellagitannins. These pigments are found to be effective in lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Strawberry consumption is said to be good for removing harmful toxins from the blood, thereby reducing the risks of various diseases. Like carrots, strawberries are also good for healthy eyes; and regular intake of this berry may prevent macular degeneration.
These fruits may prove beneficial for preventing inflammatory conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis. Due to the high levels of potassium and magnesium, this fruit can be helpful in lowering high blood pressure. It is also said that the compounds in strawberries can reduce the rate of aging of the brain and the nervous system. They contain significant amounts of folate, that can prevent birth defects. Apart from that, the high vitamin C content is good for preventing cold and other such infections. In short, strawberries have lots of health benefits; and daily intake of this fruit, in moderate amounts, is good for human health.