Strawberries

Strawberries not only deliver the fiber, vitamins, and minerals you expect from a fruit but also provide a generous dose of especially beneficial phytochemicals. That combination makes strawberries a surprisingly potent health booster for your heart, joints, and even your mind. When you treat yourself to a moderate amount of fresh strawberries frequently, you're providing your body with a unique assortment of phenols (a broad category of phytonutrients). These are antioxidants, acting like rust busters to keep cells healthy and minimize the harm of cholesterol accumulating in your arteries. They also reduce dangerous inflammation throughout the body working like aspirin. That provides even more heart protection. What's more, eating strawberries has a brain-saving effect. Eating strawberries regularly may literally save your memory. Last but not least, Eating strawberries regularly protect you from cancer, age-related vision impairment, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Shopping Tip:

Strawberries perish quickly but freeze (and thaw) well. So go ahead and buy a big sack of frozen strawberries to last you for a week or so. Also look for straight0from0the0farm berries that were picked ripe, visit a local farmer's market or stop at a fresh fruit stand.

From The Sonoma Diet by Dr. Connie Guttersen, R.D., PH.D.