The luscious strawberry is more than just a fruit to cover with chocolate as a Valentine's treat. Strawberries, it turns out, are actually small nutritional powerhouses.
In fact, some experts consider strawberries a kind of "super fruit" because, even though they're small, they have loads of vitamins and other beneficial compounds. In other words, strawberries are deliciously nutrient-dense. Some of the benefits of strawberries aren't that surprising — they're packed with vitamin C — but did you know that eating strawberries is great for your heart?
That's right. There are several studies linking strawberries to heart health. A recent study of adults with obesity and high cholesterol found that eating 2.5 servings — 2.5 cups — of strawberries per day for four weeks improved insulin resistance and LDL cholesterol levels.
Another randomized controlled trial looked at adults with cardiometabolic risk factors found that eating 2.5 servings of strawberries per day for four weeks improved endothelial — the membrane in heart and blood vessels — function and antioxidant status.
In case, you're wondering. 2.5 cups of strawberries is about 20 medium-sized berries. There are about 24 strawberries in a pint, so that gives you just enough to share a few with a friend.
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