About Nutritional and Health Benefits of Nigerian Local Strawberry

Local strawberries are delicious tropical fruits called Olohun in the Yoruba language. It is cultivated in commercial quantity in Jos, Plateau State, but farming is commonly practiced here in Nigeria.

They are packed with nutrients, vitamins, antioxidant properties and are a good source of manganese and potassium, which are important minerals beneficial to health in different ways. Below are several ways by which these fruits contribute to human health.

 

10 Interesting Health Benefits of Nigerian Local Strawberries

 

1.    Promotes Healthy Eyes

Local strawberries help to prevent eye problems such as cataracts with the help of certain free radicals.

Vitamin C that is contained in strawberry fruits helps protect the eyes from sun harsh rays and prevent the eye's retina and cornea and aid in boosting the immune system.

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant for the eyes that helps maintain connective tissue, including collagen found in the cornea of the eye.

 

2.    Improves Healthy Teeth

They contain antioxidants known as polyphenols at a high level. Polyphenols have inflammatory and vasodilating properties that make them quite beneficial to human health.

Polyphenols found in this fruit helps greatly in fighting against gum diseases and tooth decay, thereby achieving healthy teeth.

They also help remove bacteria in the mouth. Regular intake of this local strawberry contributes to a healthy tooth.

 

3.    Regulation of Blood

It contains potassium, an important mineral called a vasodilator that helps widen the blood vessel and regulates the flow of the blood in the body system. In other words, it avoids the occurrence of hypertension.

Vasodilators are a class of drugs that treat cardiovascular conditions like hypertension; they help control high blood pressure levels.

Consuming this fruit will help in ensuring the easy flow of blood.

 

4.    Good for Pregnant Women

Strawberries are good sources of folic acids, a type of vitamin B9 that prevents birth defectives. Foliates or folic acid is an important nutrient needed for a healthy pregnancy.

Regular intake of foods rich in folic acid during pregnancy is essential, as it will help prevent congenital disabilities of the baby’s spinal cord and brain.

It also aids in protecting the unborn baby from neural tube defects development. Therefore it is advisable to consume this fruit regularly during pregnancy to provide you with folic acid.

 

5.    Improves Digestion

These fruits aid in proper digestion and fight certain types of diabetes due to dietary fiber in a good percentage.

Fiber plays some key roles in the human body by preventing heart diseases, diabetes, weight gain, and some cancers and improving digestive health.

Consumption of foods rich in fiber helps promote the movement of materials through the digestive system and boosts bowel movement, leading to the reduction of constipation and bowel movement conditions.

 

6.    Promotes a Healthy Nervous System

They help in normal brain functioning because they contain trace minerals called iodine, an important component that performs important functions in the body, such as regulating the body temperature and proper functioning of the brain and nervous system.

The presence of iodine in the body system plays a vital role in developing the central nervous system. Consistent eating of local strawberries will help in making sure that your brain and nervous system develop normally.

 

7.    Helps in Weight Loss

They are also rich in various important nutrients that help reduce appetite and improve metabolism to burn calories and lose weight.

Nigerian local strawberry contains a high amount of fiber and low calories that helps keep one full, even for a long time which can lead to weight maintenance. It is excellent for people trying to lose or maintain their weight.

 

8.    Rich in Antioxidants

A daily serving of these fruits helps prevent certain diseases such as gouts and arthritis (mainly in aged people). Antioxidants and detoxifiers that are contained in these fruits help in fighting against such diseases.

Antioxidants present in this fruit helps in preventing the body cells from damage caused by free radicals.

Free radicals can lead to cancer, heart diseases, and other diseases; therefore, consuming this local strawberry will greatly help fight against damages caused by free radicals.

 

9.    Improves Healthy Heart

They are fat-free, sodium-free, cholesterol-free, and low caloric fruits, making them generally good for blood regulation and heart health.

This fruit also contains high levels of healthy heart antioxidants like flavonoids -anthocyanin, quercetin, a catechin that reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

A high level of anthocyanins helps relax blood vessels, resulting in good blood flow and preventing cardiovascular diseases. Regular consumption of this fruit contributes greatly to achieving a healthy heart.

 

10.  Rich in Magnesium

The presence of essential minerals such as manganese helps in the metabolism of fat and carbohydrates, forming connective tissues, sex hormones, and related others.

Magnesium plays a vital role in bone formation, blood clotting factors, connective tissues, and sex hormones. It also aids in calcium absorption and regulating blood sugar levels.

This Nigerian local strawberry is an excellent source of magnesium; therefore, it is necessary to consume it regularly because its deficiency leads to bone malformation, infertility, and other issues.

 

Side Effects

There are no proven side effects for this fruit yet, and it is generally considered safe for all.

 

Conclusion

They are generally considered nutrient-rich fruits containing antioxidants and polyphenolic properties that contribute to improving human health.

Local strawberries can be eaten fresh or frozen; they have a juicy sweetened taste and can be consumed by all ages but are specifically advantageous for aged people because they can slow the progression of macular degeneration.

Regular consumption of this fruit will contribute greatly to keeping one healthy because it is packed with many nutrients that are beneficial to our health.