Strawberries are quite popular, and nutrition experts point out that when selecting strawberries, medium-sized ones are most suitable. Avoid overly ripe ones; eighty percent ripe is best.
Spring's sweet-and-tart strawberries are highly popular. Here are six health benefits of strawberries:
1. Clears heat and reduces inflammation
Traditional Chinese medicine holds that strawberries help reduce inflammation, detoxify, and clear heat. As liver fire tends to be more active in spring, eating strawberries can help suppress it.
2. Harmonizing the Spleen and Stomach
Strawberries are best consumed after meals. Rich in pectin and fiber, they promote intestinal motility, aid digestion, and alleviate constipation. They are beneficial for conditions like poor appetite, post-meal bloating, and constipation.
3. Nourishing Yin and Blood
Rich in sugars, citric acid, malic acid, and amino acids, strawberries are easily absorbed by the body. They help replenish blood volume and maintain fluid balance.
4. Sobering effect
When experiencing dizziness or discomfort after drinking alcohol, consuming 100 grams of fresh strawberries can help sober up.
5. Cancer prevention and resistance
The ellagic acid in strawberries protects human tissues from carcinogenic substances and has a certain inhibitory effect on the growth of malignant tumor cells.
6. Skin Brightening & Moisturizing
As a berry, strawberries contain 6%-10% sugar along with various fruit acids, vitamins, and minerals. They enhance skin elasticity, offering whitening and moisturizing benefits. Additionally, strawberries suit oily skin types well, helping to remove oil and cleanse. Strawberry juice can be used as a facial mask for beauty purposes.
But how should one select strawberries?
Generally, the higher the sugar content, the sweeter the fruit. However, sugar levels cannot be determined solely by appearance.He recommends selecting medium-sized strawberries. These are less likely to be hollow inside and tend to be juicier. Note that overly ripe strawberries may show dark spots, indicating reduced freshness. Opt for berries that are about 80% ripe—red but not soft—as they offer the best flavor. In other words, adhere to the "three no's" principle: avoid misshapen berries, avoid unusually large berries, and avoid berries that are excessively red.Opt for berries with a uniform shape, a natural red color, and a faint white ring around the stem where leaves were attached. Such strawberries can be stored in the refrigerator for two to three days.
Strawberries have uneven surfaces and thin skins that tear easily with slight pressure, making them difficult to clean.Gong Hongbin recommends washing strawberries by first rinsing them under running tap water for several minutes to remove most surface bacteria, pesticides, and other contaminants. Next, soak them separately in rice washing water (preferably the first rinse) and a mild salt solution (half a tablespoon of salt per basin of water) for 3 minutes each.Then, rinse thoroughly under running tap water to remove the rice water, salt solution, and any remaining contaminants. Finally, rinse once more with clean water (or cooled boiled water).
It's also important to note: do not remove the strawberry stems before washing. Doing so creates an opening that allows pesticides and contaminants to seep into the fruit during soaking, potentially causing contamination.