We know it’s hard to resist a deliciously ripe strawberry, but do you know just how good they are for you?

The strawberry, Fragaria ananassa, is one of the most popular berry fruits in the world, even though they are not actually fruits. Strawberry plants are known as runners because they are not produced by seeds but have an average of 200 seeds per fruit. They are an excellent source of many vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, fibre, folic acid and potassium. Their health benefits include reducing cholesterol, pesky inflammation, blood pressure and preventing big spikes in both blood sugar and insulin levels. Here are 5 strawberry benefits you don’t want to miss out on.

1. Regulate your blood pressure

Due to their high potassium content which is a heart-healthy nutrient; strawberries provide benefits for people who have a high risk of high blood pressure by helping to offset the effects of sodium in the body. Potassium helps regulate blood pressure, and may help lower high blood pressure by acting as a defence against the negative effect of sodium. If you’ve been looking for a heart-healthy fruit, you might want to give this one a try.

2. Boost your fibre intake

Fibre is necessary for healthy digestion, and eating foods such as strawberries that are high in water content and fibre can help hydrate the body and maintain regular bowel movements. Fibre is essential for minimising constipation and adding bulk to the stools. Fibre also helps people feel fuller for longer after eating. This reduces the urge to snack in between meals and helps slow the absorption of sugars in the blood.

3. Blood sugar regulation

Strawberries are a healthy choice for people with diabetes. They slow down glucose digestion and reduce high glucose and insulin levels. Because of the substantial fibre content in them, strawberries help regulate blood sugar in the body and keep it stable.

4. Lower your cholesterol

Strawberries are high in polyphenol content, and this has a preventative effect against heart disease. Heart disease is the one of the leading causes of death amongst people. Luckily strawberries include powerful heart-healthy boosters, which act against bad cholesterol in the blood, which causes plaque to build up in arteries. They also provide an anti-inflammatory effect, which is also good for the heart. Add more of them to your diet – you definitely won’t regret it.

5. Helps keep wrinkles at bay

When we age, we lose collagen, and eating foods rich in vitamin C may result in healthier, younger-looking skin. That is why the power of vitamin C in strawberries is just incredible, as it is vital to the production of collagen which helps improve skin’s elasticity. So for younger-looking skin, just eat more strawberries. The benefits of strawberries are endless, and some will surprise you. They are a perfect and refreshingly light snack. They are an ideal choice for those who have diabetes, and a safe, delicious addition to any diet. Get them now, while they are still in season.