It's currently the peak season for strawberries, and their fragrant aroma is mouth-watering. Strawberries are rich in vitamins and minerals; every 100 grams contains up to 80 milligrams of vitamin C, far exceeding that of apples and pears. They also contain glucose, fructose, citric acid, malic acid, carotene, riboflavin, and more. These nutrients are excellent for promoting children's growth and development and are also very beneficial for the health of the elderly. The abundant vitamin C, in particular, can prevent and treat bleeding gums, promote wound healing, and make the skin delicate and elastic.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, strawberries are sweet in taste and cool in nature, with effects that moisten the lungs, promote the production of body fluids, strengthen the spleen, and harmonize the stomach. Eating a few strawberries after a meal can aid digestion, stimulate the appetite, and strengthen the spleen to promote fluid production. In recent years, medical researchers have found that regular consumption of strawberries is also beneficial for preventing and treating arteriosclerosis and coronary heart disease. According to research by foreign medical scientists, strawberries contain anti-cancer components that can inhibit the growth of tumor cells. In Europe, strawberries have long been honored as the "Queen of Fruits" and are used as a health food for children and the elderly.
There are two things to keep in mind when eating strawberries:
◆ First, do not buy deformed strawberries. Normally grown strawberries are heart-shaped, but some have a bright color, large size, and deformities on the surface with a hollow center when bitten. These deformed strawberries are often the result of the excessive use of hormones during cultivation, and long-term consumption of such fruit can potentially harm human health. Pregnant women and children, in particular, should not eat deformed strawberries.
◆ Additionally, because strawberries are low-growing plants, although they are grown with plastic mulch, they are still easily contaminated with soil and bacteria during their growth process. Therefore, it is crucial to properly "clean" them before eating them. The correct method for cleaning strawberries
It's currently the peak season for strawberries, and the bright red ones look very tempting. However, the relatively rough surface of strawberries makes cleaning a challenge for many people.
The main nutritional value of strawberries lies in their very high vitamin C content. Recent research has found that in addition to preventing scurvy, vitamin C has a positive preventive effect on diseases such as arteriosclerosis, coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, cerebral hemorrhage, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Furthermore, the carotene in strawberries is an important substance for synthesizing vitamin A and has the effect of improving eyesight and nourishing the liver. The latest research abroad also points out that strawberries contain a type of amine substance that has a certain effect in treating leukemia and aplastic anemia.
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that strawberries have the effects of reducing internal heat, relieving summer heat, and clearing heat. In the spring, people's liver fire is often more vigorous, and eating strawberries can help suppress this. Additionally, it's best to eat strawberries after a meal because they contain a large amount of pectin and fiber, which can promote gastrointestinal motility, aid digestion, improve constipation, and prevent hemorrhoids and colon cancer.
The reason strawberries are difficult to clean is mainly because their surface is rough and their skin is very thin, making it easy to break when washed. Therefore, many people, for the sake of convenience, simply rinse them with water and eat them. In fact, strawberries are herbaceous plants with low-lying plants and delicate, juicy fruit, all of which make them susceptible to pests, diseases, and microbial invasion. Therefore, pesticides are often used in the process of growing strawberries. These pesticides, fertilizers, and bacteria can easily adhere to the rough surface of the strawberries. If not cleaned thoroughly, they can easily cause diarrhea or even pesticide poisoning.
To wash strawberries thoroughly, it's best to rinse them constantly under running tap water, as flowing water can prevent pesticides from seeping into the fruit. After washing, don't eat the strawberries immediately; it's best to soak them in light salt water or rice water for 5 minutes. Light salt water can kill harmful microorganisms remaining on the surface of the strawberries; rice water is alkaline and can help break down acidic pesticides. When washing strawberries, be sure not to remove the stems. If the stems are removed and the strawberries are soaked in water, residual pesticides will enter the fruit along with the water, causing more serious contamination. Also, do not soak strawberries in detergents or other cleaning agents, as these substances are difficult to wash off and can easily remain in the fruit, causing secondary pollution.