Strawberry Juice: Vitamin, Love Potion, and Other Benefits

What could be better than summer, bursting with color and smelling the freshest, juiciest fruits and berries? It’s a time when nature not only indulges us with flavors but also strengthens our bodies. One of the undeniable cheers of summer is strawberries. When they ripen at the beginning of summer, they delight our taste buds and provide many health-boosting substances. But is strawberry juice equally beneficial as berries? Is there the best way to make and serve it? What else is exceptional about this juice?

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Strawberry—A Unique Gift of Nature

The strawberry is a unique creation of nature. It belongs to the same family of thorny plants as roses. Perhaps that is why the strawberry and the rose—seemingly unrelated plants—have an intoxicating fragrance.

Although strawberries are usually considered berries, their botanical classification classifies them as fruits. In addition, the strawberry is the only fruit in the world whose seeds are on the outside rather than the inside flesh. A medium-sized strawberry has about 200 seeds. Strawberries can reproduce by seeds and stolons (called ‘runners’). The most common strawberries are red, but there are also white, blue/purple, and yellow.

Strawberries Have Benefits, As Well As Taste

Strawberries or strawberry juice can be a delicious and healthy snack or dessert. They are low in calories, almost fat-free, and have a low glycemic index. Their pleasant and naturally sweet taste makes them reasonable for sweet-toothed people, even if they are on a diet or controlling their blood sugar levels.

Strawberries contain 32 calories and 4.9 grams of sugar per 100 grams. The majority of strawberries are water, up to 91%. They are a source of vitamin C, B9 (folic acid), manganese, and potassium. They also have trace elements such as iron, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamins B6, K, and E.

The greatest strength of strawberries is in the beneficial plant compounds and antioxidants, such as pelargonidin, ellagic acid, ellagitannins, and procyanidins.

Strawberry Juice Benefits

A complex of nutrients determines the health benefits of strawberries and the prevention of chronic diseases. The healing properties of strawberries have been known since antiquity. Modern medicine has also scientifically proven its positive effects on health. You should include strawberries and/or their juice in your diet because:

The polyphenols in strawberries improve insulin sensitivity in adults. This means the body’s ability to decompose sugars properly has improved. This helps to prevent or control the development of diabetes.

The antioxidants in strawberries improve skin conditions and help prevent damage caused by exposure to ultraviolet rays or other harmful environmental factors.
One small study has shown that the anti-inflammatory properties of strawberries can also reduce inflammation in joints and suppress pain.
The nutritional composition of strawberries contributes to lowering blood cholesterol. It also contributes to the prevention of cardiovascular disease.
The fiber in strawberries improves bowel function and may help with constipation. They can also act as natural probiotics for gut microbiota balance.
Due to their powerful antioxidant properties, the consumption of strawberries and their juices may play a role in cancer prevention.
Strawberries can delay the brain-aging process. This may prevent the development or progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Another benefit of strawberries is that they can help whiten teeth.

Strawberries As Aphrodisiacs

Fresh strawberries, like chocolate and oysters, have been classified since ancient times as aphrodisiacs—foods with the power to arouse passion. Fresh berries or strawberry juice is a genuinely delicious idea for a romantic evening.

Strawberries are like a symbol of love and magic. It is believed that those who eat different halves of the same strawberry will fall in love. Strawberries also strengthen the bond and closeness of lovers. In France, for example, it is customary for newlyweds to use strawberries for breakfast.

In the 19th century, a famous French lady of Spanish descent, Thérésa Cabarrus, or Madame Tallien, who was influential in Napoleon’s court, was well-known for her strawberry juice baths. Almost 10 kilograms of strawberries were used for one bath!

Fresh Strawberry Juice Is The Most Beneficial

Freshly squeezed strawberry juice has a delightful aroma and a pleasant taste. This drink is also full of priceless vitamins and other essential nutrients. When strawberry season kicks in, people usually make strawberry jam. More beneficial is to eat fresh berries or drink freshly squeezed strawberry juice.

Freshly squeezed strawberry juice at home is the best value. Make them for breakfast, brunch, or whenever you want. It’s simple to do:

Place the washed and de-stemmed strawberries in the juicer, squeeze the juice, and enjoy.
Place the prepared strawberries in a smoothie blender, add a splash of water, and puree until smooth. Drink as a smoothie or strain through a sieve.

Fresh strawberries have an excellent combination with milk. Make a refreshing milkshake by adding cow’s milk or your favorite plant milk instead of water.

Strawberry Juice: How to Keep It Longer?

You can enjoy fresh strawberry juice for a relatively short time. There are several ways to enjoy this flavor in the harsh winter. You can pasteurize or refrigerate strawberry juice to preserve it for a long time.

However, pasteurized strawberry juice has some disadvantages. First of all, heating kills some of the vitamins and other nutrients. Secondly, to keep the juice fresh throughout the winter and prevent it from spoiling, people add preservatives (sugar). Pasteurized juice is usually more like juice concentrate (sometimes even syrup). It is better to dilute it in water for iced drinks or strawberry tea.

Frozen strawberry juice is a convenient alternative to pasteurized juice. You can freeze liquid-strained juice and juice with pulp. Pour it into plastic bottles and defrost it before consumption. Thawed strawberry juice tastes almost the same as freshly squeezed juice. They also retain a large portion of their beneficial substances.

Strawberries Are Not Just A Natural Treasure—They Are A Cultural Phenomenon!

Adored in Europe since ancient Roman times, strawberries have become a cultural phenomenon. They are hailed as the queen of summer berries (although they are fruit), and many people love them.

The strawberry and its history are already part of European cultural heritage, presented in museums. These can be found in France (Musée de la Fraise et du Patrimoine, Plougastel Daoulas) and Belgium (Musée de la Fraise, Namur; Musee de la Fraise et de la Vie d’Antan Asbl, Herstal).

In London, the Strawberry Festival takes place in June. It has been a three-day event since 1985 where people come together to enjoy a great time, fresh strawberries, entertainment, and performers.

Strawberry Juice Is Suitable for Everyone Unless You Are Allergic

There is no reliable evidence that strawberry juice can be unsafe. In fact, many people can drink it. Its low-calorie content makes it suitable for dieters. Its low sugar content and relatively low glycaemic index mean, that people controlling their blood sugar levels can consume it too.

Strawberry juice may have undesirable side effects for allergy sufferers. Allergic reactions to strawberries usually cause symptoms such as itching, rashes, burning of the lips, mouth, and tongue, or throat swelling. Less commonly, strawberries can cause more serious allergic reactions, such as nausea, vomiting, or even anaphylactic shock. Do not consume strawberry juice if you experience allergy symptoms.

Be careful if you have an allergy to birch pollen. It means that you may also be allergic to strawberries.

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