A new study highlights that daily strawberry consumption can notably lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases, underscoring the fruit’s health benefits.
Strawberries, beloved for their taste and known as America’s favorite fruit, also play a crucial role in promoting heart health, as reported by SciTech Daily. Cardiovascular disease risk is often heightened by a low fruit intake, but strawberries have been found to mitigate this risk.
Presented at Nutrition 2024, the annual conference of the American Society for Nutrition held on June 30 in Chicago, the study focused on cardiovascular health and improved glucose control. Dr. Lasantha Krishan Hirimuthugoda, a postdoctoral research associate at the Illinois Institute of Technology, led the research.
The study examined the effects of strawberry intake on endothelial function and glucose control, specifically investigating the relationship between flow-mediated dilation (FMD) responses and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
The study involved 36 women and 32 men, aged 20 to 62, with a body mass index (BMI) of 29.8±4.8 kg/m². Researchers assessed how daily strawberry consumption over four weeks impacted FMD and its relationship with CVD risk. They found a significant influence on FMD percentage, with a dose-response effect observed (Kruskal-Wallis test, p<0.001). Preliminary analyses of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) showed no significant differences between interventions from baseline (Kruskal-Wallis test p>0.05).
Co-author Britt Burton-Freeman, PhD, a professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology, noted, “A diet low in fruit is among the top three risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.” He further stated, “Adding just one cup of strawberries a day to your diet may have beneficial effects on your cardiovascular health.”
A serving of eight strawberries (one cup) meets the daily recommended value of vitamin C and provides a range of other nutrients and beneficial bioactive compounds.
