"If possible, eat one strawberry every day, " advise scientists from the University of Oklahoma. Their latest research showed that eating strawberries every day can reduce the risk of heart problems and stroke.
Experts carried out the study with people suffering from metabolic syndrome - a collection of symptoms, including obesity and high cholesterol levels, which are directly linked with a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases.
The participants in the experiment ate strawberries for a period of 2 months. The volunteers had to consume 4 cups of juice, made from 3 1/3 tbsp (50 g) dried strawberries and water, or 3 cups of fresh strawberries daily.
At the end, the participants had lower risk indicators for atherosclerosis.
The levels of cholesterol in those who ate strawberries fell by 10%. It is believed that the health benefits are due to an antioxidant in the red fruits.
In Europe, the flavorful strawberry appeared in the 16th century. Europeans owe the delightful taste of the red fruit to a French officer, who brought the first strawberries to his homeland from Chile.
The officer wrote in a note to the king's cook the following: "I have brought to His Highness fruits, which rid the heart of suffering caused by civil unrest. The flavor of these strawberries fill the soul with love, and the mind - with joy."
According to other sources, the strawberry was brought to Europe from Chile in 1712, when French sailor Andre Francois Frazier left to discover a new port near the country. That is how the amateur botanist brought the unfamiliar plant to Paris.
Today, this natural treat is cultivated around the world. There exist over 600 varieties of strawberries. They all differ in size, color and flavor.
The strawberry, whose remarkable flavor is due to the essential substances within it, is prepared in a variety of ways. Besides being great for consumption by themselves, strawberries can be made into jams, can be used for garnishing desserts, for drinking champagne with them.
If you have decided to freeze strawberries, the most suitable are ripe, but not overripe fruits. If you plan on eating them raw, freeze them with sugar. Having been rolled in sugar, the fruits retain their color and taste even after thawing.
If, on the other hand, you plan on using them as a filling for pies, read them without sugar. The shelf life of strawberries in the freezer is 8 to 12 months.
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