Elgin Chiropractic Nutrition Idea: Strawberry Time! Good for Mind, Heart, Blood Sugar

Red, ripe strawberries…yum! It’s that time of year - somewhere in the world – for fresh strawberries’ tastiness and nutritiousness to brighten up your plate and your mind, heart, and insulin resistance. Strawberries are the focus of this month's Elgin chiropractic nutrition tip of the month! Our Elgin chiropractic patients at Connected Chiropractic can enjoy positive effects from strawberries in at least one of these ways!

HEART DISEASE BENEFIT FROM STRAWBERRIES

A newer study found and reported that when obese adults with higher serum LDL cholesterol levels consumed just two and a half servings of strawberries a day for a month, it significantly improved lipid particle profiles, insulin resistance, and serum plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) - an inflammatory marker often seen in artherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and even Alzheimer’s/dementia. Those who participated consumed what they usually ate and did everything they typically did in this study except only eat strawberries and not other berries. (1) That makes it easy! Just add strawberries to your daily diet.

VASCULAR HEALTH BENEFIT FROM STRAWBERRIES

Strawberry consumption was reported to potentially enhance vascular health independent of other metabolic changes most likely due to microbial-derived phenolic metabolites after eating strawberries that impacts endothelial - the cell lining of blood and lymphatic vessels - function. This is a positive for anyone with moderate hypercholesterolemia! (2) A delicious way to keep the blood flowing!

STRAWBERRIES REDUCE RISK OF DEMENTIA

Let’s keep the mind and memory flowing, too. Late-life dementia may benefit from strawberry consumption. Researchers explained that neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s develop over many years starting in midlife. Further, insulin resistance is noted as a risk factor for late life dementia and known to progress in midlife. Researchers pointed to research that highlights how consuming berry fruits like strawberries has already been demonstrated to affect metabolism and cognition which implies a potential to reduce the risk of dementia. In another study, researchers documented that strawberry supplementation started in midlife may well decrease the risk of dementia. (3) Strawberries and their bright red color are a cheery way to keep your mind going.

BERRY WINES WITH HEALTHY INGREDIENTS

And for those in mid-life and older who may like a glass of wine, berry fruit wines (and even spirits) are growing in popularity and in reputation for their health benefit! Wines made of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries – packed full of vitamin C, folates, and minerals making them quite popular with over 11,000 kilotons harvested in 2021 - have low alcohol content, high acidity, and beneficial bioactive molecules like phenolic compounds, polysaccharides, melatonin, and carotenoids. (4) It’s nice to have a choice in how to consume strawberries this season!

CONTACT Connected Chiropractic

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. James Cox, developer of The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management we utilize at Connected Chiropractic, discusses how we can help with back pain relief and neck pain relief as well as arm pain and leg pain relief on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson.

Schedule your Elgin chiropractic appointment now this strawberry season to optimize the health benefits of both chiropractic and strawberries!