Strawberry Boosts Heart Health

Previous studies have suggested that strawberry powder helps to lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, and improve the LDL-to-HDL profile. Susan J. Zunino, from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Western Human Nutrition Research Center (California, USA), and colleagues completed a study involving 20 obese but otherwise healthy subjects, ages 20 to 50 years. Each subject consumed the daily equivalent of four servings of frozen strawberries as a freeze-dried powder in a milkshake, yogurt, cream cheese, or beverage; or the same products with no added powder. After three weeks, total cholesterol decreased by 4%, and the LDL-to-HDL profile improved, in the strawberry powder-consuming subjects.  Noting that 2 g of fiber are present in every 100 g of strawberries, the researchers submit that fiber may be responsible for the cholesterol-lowering benefits of strawberries.  The study authors conclude that: “Dietary strawberry powder reduced risk factors for [cardiovascular disease], stroke and diabetes in obese volunteers, suggesting a potential role for strawberries as a dietary means to decrease obesity-related disease.”