Our memory defines us. We make decisions, share our past experiences, spread love, and appreciate people because we have memories. Imagine a life where you can’t remember any past activities or share your past life experiences. This will definitely be a tough and a meaningless life.
In spite of all thebeautiful functions of our memory, many people don’t consciously work toimprove it. In fact, a large majority of people don’t have any budget for theirbrains.
How many times haveyou taken a food item because it helps your memory? It is likely you have notdone this many times.
Interestingly, manyfoods that are easily found around us have been proven to be good for ourmemory, and one of them is strawberry.
So, instead ofspending your hard-earned money on feeding your brain with junks, why don’t youinvest in something that has been proven to benefit your brain?
Strawberry is goodfor your brain. Period! No wonder, Northcentral University, San Diego,California included berries (which include blueberries and strawberries) intheir list of the best food for the brain.(1)
Strawberries arewonderful fruits always to have around. This red-colored fruit has manyfantastic health benefits and one of them is that it helps your brain/memory.Going by their red color, these fruits would have been best-called redberries.
In thiscomprehensive article, we will show you pieces of evidence that support thatstrawberries are good for the memory, where to buy strawberries and ways andhow to start eating them now.
By the time youfinish reading this article, we will like you to start including strawberriesin your diet immediately. At least, you should do this for the sake of yourmemory and general health.
So let’s getstarted. But first, let’s briefly mention the various constituents of strawberries.
One cup of sliced fresh strawberries (166 grams) contains protein (1g), calories (50), carbohydrates (11.65g), dietary fiber (3.81g), and vitamin C (94.12mg). Strawberries also contain iron, phosphorus, selenium, folate, magnesium, and vitamin A.(2) Strawberry also contains a large amount of water.
Let’s now talk aboutthe research works that prove that strawberries are good for the memory.
Scientific Research Works That SuggestThat Strawberries Are Good for the Brain/Memory
1) ElizabethE. Devore et al.(3) investigated the effects of dietary intake ofberries (strawberries and blueberries) in relation to cognitive decline andfound that greater intakes of blueberries and strawberries were highlyassociated with slower rates of cognitive decline in older women. They reportedup to 2.5 years delayed in cognitive decline/aging in women with higher intakesof berries.
2) James A.Joseph et al.(4) found that blueberry, spinach or strawberrysupplemented diet can reverse age-related declines in neuronal signaltransduction, cognitive, and motor behavioral deficits in rats.
This further strengthensthe fact that strawberries are the food items to always have in your home ifyou want a good memory.
3) In theliterature review done by Selvaraju Subash et al.(5), they were ableto establish that strawberry is indeed good for the memory.
Going by all the research works mentioned above, we can infer that strawberries consumption may improve your memory over time or at least slowdown memory decline.
It is crucial wemention that strawberries also has many other health benefits apart fromhelping your memory and cognition.
This means you notonly stand the chance of improving your memory by consuming strawberries but youalso stand to gain a lot of other health benefits. Some of those benefits ofstrawberries are mentioned below.
Other Health Benefits of Strawberries
1. Paquette M et al.(6) found strawberry and cranberry polyphenols improve sensitivity in insulin-resistant, non-diabetic adults. This research work involved a 6-week dietary supplementation with 333mg of polyphenols from strawberries and cranberries. They noticed improved insulin sensitivity in overweight and obese non-diabetic but insulin-resistant human subjects. However, this supplementation was not effective in improving other cardiometabolic risk factors.
However, if you havediabetes, it is crucial you consult your doctor before you start eatingstrawberries. This is because there is a tendency that the blood sugar may begreatly reduced if you combine strawberries with antidiabetic medications. Inaddition, strawberries contain a considerable amount of sugar.
2. There is a growing body of evidence(7)(8)(9) that suggests that your heart can greatly benefit by eating an adequate amount of berries (including strawberries).
3. In a literature review done by Aleksandra S. Krisko et al(10), they were able to conclude after reviewing many works of literature that there are favorable effects of berry consumption on a variety of cancers. They opine that these anticancer benefits may be due to whole berry consumption and not as a result of consuming a particular compound.
In another publicationby the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship(11), itwas said that strawberries contain ellagic acid that helps fight cancer.
With all thesebenefits, it is clear strawberries are good for our health. It is a good ideato consider including strawberries in your food for a better brain and body.
However, werecommend you consult your doctor before you begin consuming strawberries ifyou have a certain health condition.
What is the Price ofStrawberries?
The price of strawberries depends on whether it is processedor not. Generally processed (e.g. freeze-dried strawberries) are more expensivethan the fresh ones.
Generally, in the US, the price of fresh strawberries isless than 0.5$ per ounce. The price of the strawberries usually depends on theseller and the place where you are buying it.
Where to BuyStrawberries in Your Area
The first place we will recommend is the local farm store inyour area. You can inquire from your friends and family members about the localfarm store(s) around you.
You can also buy strawberries from a grocery store. Go to the grocery stores around you and ask if they have strawberries.
Another place to get strawberries is online markets. Forexample, Amazoncarriesmany varieties of strawberries and you should be able to easily buystrawberries from this store.
If you have decided not to buy strawberries, you can alsogrow them. This is not impossible. Just be ready to put in the efforts and the patienceneeded for a few months before you begin to reap the fruits.
Different Kinds ofStrawberries
In case you are just being introduced to these healthyfruits, it is cool you know that strawberries exist in different forms. Infact, it exists in more than ten forms.
Some of the varieties of strawberries are mentioned below:
Honeoye
Chandler
Jewel
Allstar
Earliglow
Seascape
Albion
Alpine
Aroma
Hood(12)(13)
Storage Conditionof Strawberry
As an infovore,it is a great idea you know how to store strawberry when you begin to includethem in your diet.
Experts recommend that fresh strawberries be stored in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator(14). Also, it is crucial you maintain high humidity when storing your strawberries. To do this, it is recommended you store it in a clamshell container or a partially opened plastic bag(14).
To store fresh strawberries properly in a fridge:
Sort out the spoiled strawberries.
Wash the remaining strawberries with water anddry them with a towel.
Carefully arrange the strawberries in aclamshell container or a partially opened plastic bag.
Put the container inside the crisper drawer ofyour fridge.
Strawberries stored like this can last up to four to sevendays.
To store strawberries properly in a freezer:
Repeat steps one and two above. Note thatstrawberries can be stored in frozen whole, sliced or crushed form. It can alsobe frozen with or without sugar.
Place the strawberries individually in a largetray (laid with parchment paper). Make sure that the strawberries are notclumped together.
Freeze for three to five hours.
Pro tip: Clumping the strawberries together beforethey get frozen may not be good for the strawberries. The trick is to freezethem individually first (for few hours) and then clump them together in aresealable freezer-safe bag and then place them back in the freezer.
Then transfer to a resealable freezer-safe bag,making sure you eliminate air from the bag as much as possible.
Freeze until you need to use the strawberries.Please note that (good) strawberries can last for months in a freezer.
Forms in Which YouCan Eat or Take Strawberries
In this section, we are going to be mentioning various waysto eat strawberries.
Please endeavor to first consult your doctor if you have any health condition and you wish to include strawberries in your diet.
A. Raw Strawberries
The first form in which you can consume strawberries is toconsume them raw. A raw strawberry is an unprocessed form of strawberry.
Preparing raw strawberries for eating:
Put the strawberries in a container big enoughto contain all the strawberries you want to eat.
Identify any spoiled strawberry and pick themout.
Tip: You can use spoilt strawberry to make compost.
Wash the remaining strawberries with water, ifneeded.
Eat and enjoy the strawberries.
Tip: Eating yourstrawberries raw is probably the best way to get all the nutrients in thestrawberries delivered to your body. However, please note that strawberriescontain a considerable amount of sugar, so please consult your doctor if youhave any prevailing health condition.
RawStrawberries Recipe
Servings:1
Ingredient(s):
One cup of fresh strawberries
Instructions:
Make sure that the strawberries are fresh and notspoilt.
Enjoy the raw strawberries.
B.Strawberries Juice
Another way you can take strawberries isto use it to make juice and then drink the juice. To make strawberries juice, you would need the following ingredients:
2 cups of fresh strawberries
2 cups of water or as needed
Instructions:
Sort out the spoiled strawberries (if needed). You can use spoiled strawberries to make compost.
Wash the strawberries with clean water. You can do this more than once to properly clean the strawberries.
Get ready your blender and put the strawberries inside it.
Pour the two cups of water into the blender (add more or less water if needed). Blend until you get a consistent mixture.
Sieve the juice out of the blended mixture using a suitable sieve. You have to squeeze the sieve bag so that you get all the juice out.
Pour the juice into a suitable container.
Drink and enjoy.
Pro tip: You may skip step 5. It is notcompulsory you sieve out the juice. You may just take the blended mixture likethat.
C. StrawberriesRecipes
The third way to take strawberries is to include them in arecipe. There are many recipes that have strawberries as their majoringredients. Take time to look for healthy recipes that have strawberry as amajor ingredient.
You should be able to find healthy strawberries recipes bysurfing the net.
References
https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/eat-blueberries-and-strawberries-three-times-per-week. Accessed 20 Feb 2020.
http://publications.iowa.gov/7609/1/StrawberrryNews.pdf. Accessed 20 Feb 2020.
Strawberry, Mr. et al. “Popular Strawberry Varieties – Strawberry Plants . Org”. Strawberry Plants . Org, 2019, https://strawberryplants.org/popular-strawberry-varieties/. Accessed 21 Feb 2020.
“Strawberries Varieties: From Subtle And Sweet To Robust And Ruby Red”. The Spruce Eats, 2020, https://www.thespruceeats.com/strawberry-varieties-4097211. Accessed 21 Feb 2020.
Anrcatalog.Ucanr.Edu, 2020, https://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/pdf/8256.pdf. Accessed 21 Feb 2020.
Other tests with seniors eating strawberries and blueberries for several months showed improved memory as compared to those in a placebo group. Additional studies with children drinking smoothies made with berries, showed an increase in memory tests as compared to those drinking non-berry smoothies.
Fisetin, a naturally occurring flavonoid commonly found in strawberries and other fruits and vegetables, stimulates signaling pathways that enhance long-term memory, report researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies.
The antioxidants in strawberries, like those in other berry super-fruits, have a unique and important role in brain health. These antioxidants tend to fight off free radicals, which damage cells and can lead to memory loss and other brain difficulties.
A flavonoid called fisetin can work against neurodegenerative diseases linked to aging such as Alzheimer's dementia. Fisetin found in strawberries can even affect your skin health, making you look younger.
Berries, fish, and leafy green vegetables are 3 of the best foods that fight memory loss. There's a mountain of evidence showing they support and protect brain health.
Finally, they encourage older adults to consume berries as they offer an easy dietary modification that may delay memory decline and will not cause harm. This post originally appeared in Alzheimer's Insights, an ADCS Blog.
Choline, which is rich in egg yolk, is essential for the memory-boosting brain chemical, acetylcholine. Opt for B-rich foods like eggs, chicken, fish, leafy greens and dairy. If you're vegan, look to fortified foods, including plant milks and breakfast cereals, for vitamin B12 or consider a supplement.
Berries, and blueberries in particular, appear to have memory-enhancing properties thanks to plant flavonoids, known as anthocyanins. It appears these effects may improve memory and cognitive processes, whatever our age.
It is recommended that individuals eat a serving of 8 strawberries a day. Clinical research has determined that this recommendation can have some hefty benefits, including potentially improved heart and brain health, reduced risk of some cancers, and better management of type 2 diabetes.
Fruits. Certain fruits such as oranges, bell peppers, guava, kiwi, tomatoes, and strawberries, contain high amounts of vitamin C. Vitamin C helps prevent brain cells from becoming damaged and supports overall brain health. In fact, a study found that vitamin C can potentially prevent Alzheimer's.
Strawberries have a lower glycemic index than other fruits, making them helpful when it comes to regulating blood sugar levels. Studies have even shown that eating strawberries every day can reduce complications related to diabetes.
All of these are shown to promote brain health and reduce age-related cognitive decline. Foods such as walnuts, almonds, peanuts, soybeans, lentils, flax seeds and pumpkin seeds are all good choices to add to your diet if you're looking to score these benefits.
The best snacks for people with Alzheimer's are lean protein snacks, vegetables, low-dairy snacks, fruits, and whole-grain snacks. Try to reduce high saturated fats and cholesterol. Of course, some healthy fat is necessary for a good diet.
Offer different types of drink throughout the day such as tea, coffee, hot and cold milky drinks, fruit juice or smoothies, soup, squash and water. Make sure the cup or glass is suitable – not too heavy or a difficult shape.
Scripture assures us that nothing can separate us from the love of God, not even a dementia that may strip a person of her awareness of God's presence (Romans 8:38-29).
Ice cream brings people with dementia to happier, warmer times when the treat was shared with friends and loved ones at special, joyous occa- sions. Ice cream has the power to immediately elicit soothing feelings at the very first taste of a single spoon-full.
Phytochemicals found in bananas help preserve nerve tissue against neurotoxins, which deteriorate nervous tissue when exposed to its substance. This may also help in preventing neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.
Research shows that the best brain foods are the same ones that protect your heart and blood vessels, including the following: Green, leafy vegetables. Leafy greens such as kale, spinach, collards, and broccoli are rich in brain-healthy nutrients like vitamin K, lutein, folate, and beta carotene.
To give your brain the healthiest fuel boost to start any day, envision a rainbow of vibrant food colors. Think a healthy bowl of red raspberries, green sliced kiwis and yellow chunks of sweet pineapple, with a big dab of plain nonfat yogurt on top, sprinkled with toasted walnuts and flax seeds. Dr.
Eggs are loaded with choline, a type of B-vitamin that can enhance memory and cognition. It's a component of phosphatidylcholine, a critical part of cell membranes, especially brain cells. To incorporate eggs into your meals, try deviled eggs, but mash the yolks with avocado instead of mayonnaise.
Along with its great taste, coffee also has many health benefits. In fact, coffee has been known to lower risk of depression, enhance weight loss, reduce your risk of heart disease, as well as other chronic diseases. Not only that, but coffee is also one of the best drinks you can have for memory loss, as well.
Certain vitamins and fatty acids have been said to slow or prevent memory loss. The long list of potential solutions includes vitamins like vitamin B12, herbal supplements such as ginkgo biloba, and omega-3 fatty acids.
When it comes to dry fruits for brain, walnuts bag the first position. Why? Because walnuts are rich in DHA, polyunsaturated Omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin E, protein, minerals, antioxidants, and polyphenols. Studies revealed that eating walnuts notably improves learning skills and memory, thereby lowering anxiety.
When it comes to choosing the right healthy foods for your brain, peanuts and peanut butter are a nutritious option: they can help with improving memory, cognitive function and concentration, they can give your mood a boost, and they can even support the prevention of Alzheimer's disease.
Strong scientific evidence exists that eating blueberries, blackberries, strawberries and other berry fruits has beneficial effects on the brain and may help prevent age-related memory loss and other changes, scientists report.
Compounds in blueberries known as flavonoids may improve memory, learning and general cognitive function—and could slow age-related decline in mental function. Scientists have identified more than 6,000 different flavonoids.
Kale, spinach, broccoli, cabbage and collard greens are all green leafy vegetables that are good for boosting brain health and so helping to slow memory loss. Dark green leafy vegetables are rich in vitamin E, an antioxidant vitamin which may help protect neurons or nerve cells in the brain.
When strawberries develop brown spots, they are starting to go bad. Sunken and dark areas on your strawberries are a sign they are getting old. You can still eat them at this stage as long as they don't have any mold. A strawberry should be discarded and not eaten if it is soft and mushy with brown spots.
Strawberries are rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants, which help reduce the risk of serious health conditions like cancer, diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. It's also an excellent source of: Magnesium. Phosphorous.
"Many studies show that blueberries and strawberries can specifically improve blood vessel function," Velayutham says. "They help the blood vessels relax so that blood can flow through them more smoothly."
Eggs offer a host of healthy nutrients. As far as brain health goes, egg yolks are a good source of choline, which is associated with reducing inflammation and promoting brain function, like maintaining memory and communications between brain cells.
Foods high in copper, vitamin C and manganese, which are all important for their roles in detoxification, such as citrus fruits, berries, leafy greens, mushrooms, organ meats, spirulina and algae.
Morning is considered to be the best time to consume fruits as the digestive system breaks down the fruit sugar quickly and provides our body with all the nutrients.
Some of the healthiest fruits include pineapple, apples, blueberries, and mangos. You should eat three servings of fruit a day as part of a healthy diet. Eating fruit improves heart health, reduces inflammation, and boosts your immune system.
Administration: The examiner reads a list of 5 words at a rate of one per second, giving the following instructions: “This is a memory test. I am going to read a list of words that you will have to remember now and later on. Listen carefully. When I am through, tell me as many words as you can remember.
The MIND diet encourages people to eat green leafy vegetables, berries, nuts, whole grains, fish, poultry, beans, unsaturated fats like olive oil, eggs, and low amounts of red meat.
Bite-sized fruit: Snack on some chunks of fruit like pineapple, bananas and strawberries. Cheese cubes: Snack on cheese cubes or cheese sticks to add calcium and protein. Choose low-fat cheese when possible.
Smoothies, milkshakes, ice lollies. Foods with a high water content can also contribute such as melon, soup, cucumber and jellies. Take time to prompt the person with dementia to drink, or make them a drink rather than always asking.
After the consumption of honey for 5 years, only 489 subjects developed dementia. This research by Al-Himyari (2009) set out that honey has memory booster effects to treat dementia and cognitive deterioration. It improves the cholinergic system and blood flow in the brain and has antioxidant effects.
Green tea molecule can break up protein tangles in the brain that cause Alzheimer's. Scientists at UCLA have used a molecule found in green tea to identify additional molecules that could break up protein tangles in the brain thought to cause Alzheimer's and similar diseases.
Blueberries are a particularly rich source of anthocyanin and other flavonoids that may improve brain function. Grapes are full of resveratrol, a memory-boosting compound. Concord grapes are rich in polyphenols, a brain-accessing antioxidant.
Strong scientific evidence exists that eating blueberries, blackberries, strawberries and other berry fruits has beneficial effects on the brain and may help prevent age-related memory loss and other changes, scientists report.
Leafy greens such as kale, spinach, collards, and broccoli are rich in brain-healthy nutrients like vitamin K, lutein, folate, and beta carotene. Research suggests these plant-based foods may help slow cognitive decline.
The majority of red fruits contain flavonoids, which are beneficial properties for the brain and memory. Foods like strawberries, currants, blueberries, blackberries and açaís, among other red fruits of your choosing assist in reducing memory loss, cognitive decline, and neurodegenerative disorders.
Food that are rich in carotenoids include carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, bell peppers, tomatoes, papaya, apricots, and leafy greens such as spinach and kale.
Berries contain a particularly high amount of flavonoids called anthocyanidins that are capable of crossing the blood brain barrier and localizing themselves in the hippocampus, an area of the brain known for memory and learning.
Bananas are a great source of potassium, manganese, vitamin C and fibre, but did you know they can also enhance memory? Studies show eating bananas help students learn more efficiently and improve exam scores.
Introduction: My name is Velia Krajcik, I am a handsome, clean, lucky, gleaming, magnificent, proud, glorious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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