Strawberries may be the ultimate power food for good health

Strawberries should be considered a "power food" in everyone's daily diet. A member of the rose family, the strawberry has a long history of growing in the wild. In fact, it wasn't until the 1700s when French explorers went to Chile and discovered the strawberry. It was after this time that they took samples back to Europe and soon after it began to become popular.

Strawberries are one of the richest foods for antioxidants. Furthermore, it's may have much as 81 mg of vitamin C, which puts strawberries ahead of oranges for this ingredient. Another main ingredient includes potassium, which may be as much as 240 mg. Potassium helps prevent muscle weakness, heart problems and fatigue. Calcium, the third highest ingredient, helps prevent bone loss and muscle pain.

In addition, it's an excellent food to eat in order to prevent diabetes and types of cancer. Research has shown strawberries aid in prevention of breast, colon and cervical cancers. Also, strawberries have been found to decrease the risk of Type II diabetes, which is the adult version (and non-insulin). Two to three servings of strawberries a week has the nutritional components to keep blood sugar under control. If you like sugar on your strawberries, try Splenda. It takes the same and has less calories.

There are over 600 varieties of strawberries. What makes a difference in how they are grown is the climate and whether they may be a hybrid plant. They are currently grown all over the world. Most of the strawberries that arrive in the Midwest are Mira strawberries from Canada and usually grow best in wet, clay soil. In contrast, the Albion strawberry is an organic strawberry which is more resistant to pesticides and more favorable. It was first developed by the University of California and requires full sun. This strawberry, like many other varieties, is a late season strawberry that starts to grow in June and continues to ripen until fall. Unlike other fruits, strawberries are the only fruit which have their seeds on the outside. In fact, it's estimated there may be as many as 200 seeds on each berry.

Since medieval times, strawberries have held many symbolic meanings. For instance, folk lore myths insisted that if you cut a strawberry in half and share it with the opposite sex, you will fall in love. In France, strawberry soup was often served to newlyweds. In other cultures, it has been shown to symbolize peace, tranquility, perfection and happiness. Furthermore, the ancient Romans' beliefs showed the strawberry may heal throat infections, gout and bad breath.

This is one of the world's most amazing and cherished foods. Throughout the world, it is also one of the world's most celebrated foods. There are festivals honoring strawberries each year. There are many towns across the U.S. and possibly the world which share the strawberry name, such as Strawberry, CA and Strawberry, AR. Furthermore, they're one of the easiest plants to grow in a garden, which makes it all the more easier to eat this power food.