Synonyms / Common Names / Related Terms Allstar, Annapolis, Earliglow, Evangeline, Fragaria chiloensis ssp. Chiloensis, Fragaria x ananassa Duch., Fragaria x ananassa Duchesne, garden strawberry, Jewel, KYSt-4 (Nohime), KYSt-11 (Kurume IH-1), KYSt-17 (Kurume 58), Mesabi, Rosaceae (family), Sable, Sparkle, woodland strawberry. Mechanism of Action Constituents: 1-O-E-Cinnamoyl-beta-D-xylopyranoside, 1-O-E-cinnamoyl-beta-D-rhamnopyranoside, 1-O-E-cinnamoyl-alpha-xylofuranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranose, tryptophan, and cyanidin-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside have been isolated from ripe fruits of the Chilean strawberry Fragaria chiloensis ssp. Chiloensis.18 The antioxidant effects from strawberries may be due to ellagic acid, and certain flavonoids: anthocyanin, catechin, quercetin, and kaempferol.1,18 In a laboratory study, frozen garden strawberries had a nitrate concentration of 57.38mg KNO3/kg and the concentrations in cherry, strawberry, black and red currant jams ranged from 6.30 to 97.38mg KNO3/kg.22
References
Published Strawberry Nutrition Studies High anthocyanin intake is associated with a reduced risk of myocardial infarction in young and middle-aged women. Cassidy, A. et al, 2013. http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/127/2/188 Effects of dietary strawberry powder on blood lipids and inflammatory markers in obese human subjects. Zunino, SJ, et al, 2011. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22068016 Strawberries decrease atherosclerotic markers in subjects with metabolic syndrome. Basu A 2010.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20797478 Freeze-dried strawberry powder improves lipid profile and lipid peroxidation in women with metabolic syndrome: baseline and post intervention effects Basu A, Wilkinson M, Penugonda K, Simmons B, Betts NM, Lyons TJ. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19785767 Strawberry Modulates LDL Oxidation and Postprandial Lipemia in Response to High-Fat Meal in Overweight Hyperlipidemic Men and Women. Burton-Freeman B et al. Journal of the American College of Nutrition 2010 Feb. http://www.jacn.org/content/29/1/46.abstract?sid=0eaae02e-46ff-4152-b20c-a90658fa2c6f Serum Antioxidant Capacity Is Increased by Consumption of Strawberries, Spinach, Red Wine or Vitamin C in Elderly Women Cao, Guohua, et al. http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/full/128/12/2383 Anthocyanin Excretion by Humans Increases Linearly with Increasing Strawberry Dose Carkett, Colleen, et al. http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/138/5/897 Metabolism of Antioxidant and Chemopreventive Ellagitannins from Strawberries, Raspberries, Walnuts, and Oak-Aged Wine in Humans: Identification of Biomarkers and Individual Variability Cerdá, Begoña, et al. http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf049144d Strawberry Extract Caused Endothelium-Dependent Relaxation through the Activation of P13 Kinase/Akt, Edirisinghe, Indika, et al. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18816058 Strawberry anthocyanin and its association with postprandial inflammation and insulin. Edirisinghe, Indika, et al. British Journal of Nutrition 2011 May. http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=8376140 Attenuation of meal-induced inflammatory and thrombotic responses in overweight men and women after 6-week daily strawberry (Fragaria) intake. A randomized placebo-controlled trial. Ellis, CL, et al. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21242652 Strawberry Anthocyanins Are Recovered in Urine as Glucuro- and Sulfoconjugates in Humans Felgines, Catherine, et al. http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/full/133/5/1296 Potential Impact of Strawberries on Human Health: A Review of the Science Hannum, Sandra M http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15077879 Strawberry and its Anthocyanins Reduce Oxidative Stress-Induced Apoptosis in PC12 Cells Heo, Ho Jin, et al. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15769124 Strawberry Consumption Is Associated with Increased Antioxidant Capacity in Serum Henning, Susanne, et al. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20136444 The Effect of Strawberries in a Cholesterol-Lowering Dietary Portfolio Jenkins, David JA, et al. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19013285 Fruit Polyphenols and Their Effects on Neuronal Signaling and Behavior in Senescence Joseph, James A., et al. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1196/annals.1395.052/abstract Processing Strawberries to Different Products Alters Contents of Vitamin C, Total Phenolics, Total Anthocyanins, and Antioxidant Capacity. Klopotek, Yvonne, et al. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15998127 Compositional Changes of Strawberry Due to Dehydration, Cold Storage and Freezing-Thawing Processes Moraga, G, et al. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1745-4549.2006.00079.x/abstract Bioavailability of Pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside and Its Metabolites in Humans Following the Ingestion of Strawberries with and without Cream Mullen, William, et al. http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf072000p Extracts from Organically and Conventionally Cultivated Strawberries Inhibit Cancer Cell Proliferation In Vitro Olsson, ME, et al. http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf0524776 Whole Berries versus Berry Anthocyanins: Interactions with Dietary Fat Levels in the C57BL/6J Mouse Model of Obesity Prior, Ronald L., et al. http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf071993o Dietary Modulation of the Effects of Exposure to Fe Particles Rabin, BM, et al. http://ddr.nal.usda.gov/bitstream/10113/10633/1/IND44021269.pdf Berry Fruits for Cancer Prevention: Current Status and Future Prospects Seeram, Navindra P http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18211019 Berry Fruits: Compositional Elements, Biochemical Activities, and the Impact of Their Intake on Human Health, Performance, and Disease Seeram, Navindra P http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18211023 Identification of Phenolic Compounds in Strawberries by Liquid Chromatography Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectroscopy Seeram, Navindra P, et al. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science Strawberry Phytochemicals and Human Health: A Review Seeram, Navindra P http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/bk-2007-0956.ch021 Strawberry Intake, Lipids, C-Reactive Protein, and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Women Sesso, Howard D, et al. http://www.jacn.org/cgi/content/abstract/26/4/303 Beneficial Effects of Fruit Extracts on Neuronal Function and Behavior in a Rodent Model of Accelerated Aging Shukitt-Hale, Barbara, et al. http://www.neurobiologyofaging.org/article/S0197-4580(06)00192-8/abstract Berry Fruit Supplementation and the Aging Brain Shukitt-Hale, Barbara, et al. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18211020 Antimutagenic Activity of Berry Extracts Smith, S. Hope, et al. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15671688 Inhibitory Effect on Activator Protein-1, Nuclear Factor-KappaB, and Cell Transformation by Extracts of Strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) Wang, Shiow Y, et al. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15884858 Recent Advances in Berry Supplementation and Age-Related Cognitive Decline Willis, Lauren M; Shukitt-Hale, Barbara; Joseph, James A http://journals.lww.com/co-clinicalnutrition/Abstract/2009/01000/Recent_advances_in_berry_supplementation_and.16.aspx Lipophilic and Hydrophilic Antioxidant Capacities of Common Foods in the United States Wu, Xianli, et al. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15186133 Phenolic Acid Profiles in Some Small Berries Zadernowski, Ryszard, et al. http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf040411p Isolation and Identification of Strawberry Phenolics with Antioxidant and Human Cancer Cell Antiproliferative Properties Zhang, Yanjun, et al. http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf071989c Strawberry Studies Show Possible Cardiovascular Benefits Two recent studies, one published in March and the other as yet unpublished, have examined the role that fresh strawberries (Fragaria vesca) play in cardiovascular health, and the results suggest potential benefits of increased consumption.1,2 Led by Maurizio Battino, PhD, and conducted by researchers from Università Politecnica delle Marche in Ancona, Italy, and the Universities of Salamanca, Granada, and Seville in Spain, the studies used blood tests to track specific health markers in the test subjects. Both studies required participants to consume a strawberry-rich diet. The first study examined cholesterol levels in the blood, while the second evaluated red blood cells and their response to both spontaneous and induced hemolysis (the breakdown of red blood cells). The results of these studies could lead to a greater understanding of how the antioxidant phytochemicals present in the fruit interact with the human body and “[encourage] further evaluation on a population with higher cardiovascular disease risk.”1 The cholesterol study, published in the March 2014 issue of the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, tracked 23 healthy adult subjects as they ate approximately 500 grams (roughly 1 pound) of strawberries per day. Blood tests were taken before and after treatment to compare levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDL cholesterol), high-density lipoproteins (HDL cholesterol), and triglycerides. After 30 days, the results demonstrated a statistically significant (P < 0.05) response to treatment. LDL cholesterol levels fell by 13.7% and triglyceride levels fell by 20.8% compared to baseline.1 The levels of beneficial HDL cholesterol remained steady. Fifteen days after stopping treatment, further tests indicated that all measurements had returned to their pre-treatment values. The second study by Battino et al. included a smaller sample size (n = 18) of different subjects and a shorter trial period of two weeks to assess the effect of the same amount of strawberries on immune response against oxidative hemolysis. Red blood cells collected from subjects were separated from plasma and suspended in a control solution to induce hemolysis.2 They observed “no significant changes” in total plasma antioxidant capacity or in serum concentrations of vitamin C or uric acid, but did note a “highly pronounced reduction in [solution]-induced hemolysis (P < 0.001)” in the red blood cells.2 The results, which will be published in the August 2014 issue of Food Chemistry, “[suggest] that a regular consumption of strawberries may enhance body defences against oxidative challenges.”2 As with all research, these studies’ findings of potential health benefits of strawberries should be interpreted prudently. The relatively small sample sizes, lack of control groups, and the amount of fresh strawberries consumed by the subjects mean that more research must be conducted before anyone claims that strawberries should be marketed or professionally recommended for those at risk of cardiovascular disease. Further, no direct evidence exists about what specifically was responsible for the observed beneficial effects in the subjects. The researchers, however, say that anthocyanins bear further scrutiny. Anthocyanins, members of the flavonoid group of phytochemicals, are pigments that give berries their bright colors, ranging from red-orange to blue-violet.3,4 Research exploring the role of anthocyanins in health has grown during recent years, with their “free-radical scavenging and antioxidant capacities” being “the most highly publicized” aspect.3 More research is being conducted to ascertain what role they play in keeping the heart healthy, with much larger studies scrutinizing a variety of sources for anthocyanins, including strawberries. One review published in 2011 in Advances in Nutrition notes “a decreasing trend” for cardiovascular disease in the results of these studies.4 Because both of Professor Battino’s studies focused on whole-fruit consumption, there exists the question of how to translate these preliminary findings into practical applications. The study in Food Chemistry notes this particular limitation, suggesting that reduced servings may create a more reasonable continuation of the experiment.2 Similar studies have observed positive effects of heart-healthy foods such as walnuts while still using an average serving size per day, such as the study by Katz et al in Journal of the American College of Nutrition.5 In this study, subjects consumed 56 grams (about two ounces) of walnuts per day for eight weeks, with highly significant results (P = 0.019).5 Aside from portion sizes, creating a control group for a trial that uses fresh, whole fruit would present a considerable challenge, as opposed to administering the fruit in a supplement form such as a capsule, for example. In a study to be published in the June 2014 issue of the Journal of Nutrition, researchers from Oklahoma State University, the University of Oklahoma, and Queen’s University of Belfast in Northern Ireland conducted a more controlled study by using different dosages (25 mg and 50 mg) of powdered freeze-dried strawberries in drink form.6 The placebo-controlled study examined 60 overweight adults for 12 weeks. Outcomes for this study showed a similar statistically significant (P < 0.05) trend toward the reduction of LDL cholesterol with subjects in the high-dosage group recording an average reduction of 28 mg/dL.6 Future research on the cardiovascular benefits of strawberries could use these results and limitations to move forward with well-designed human trials. Working to isolate anthocyanins and regulate the amount would remove the uncontrollable factors of the experiments, such as the variable amount of anthocyanins present in fresh, whole fruit; their interactions with other compounds of the fruit; and the effects of those compounds in humans, as the amount of dietary fiber present in strawberries also may have affected the subjects’ cholesterol levels.1 If anthocyanins are responsible for the observed outcomes, researchers could work to standardize the anthocyanin levels for a more controlled study with results that are easier to replicate. —Hannah Bauman References 1. Alvarez-suarez JM, Giampieri F, Tulipani S, et al. One-month strawberry-rich anthocyanin supplementation ameliorates cardiovascular risk, oxidative stress markers and platelet activation in humans. J Nutr Biochem. 2014;25(3):289-94. Available here. Accessed April 2, 2014. 2. Tulipani S, Armeni T, Giampieri F, et al. Strawberry intake increases blood fluid, erythrocyte and mononuclear cell defenses against oxidative challenge. Food Chem. 2014;156:87-93. Available here. Accessed April 2, 2014. 3. Lila MA. Anthocyanins and human health: an in vitro investigative approach. J Biomed Biotechnol. 2004;2004(5):306-313. Available here. Accessed April 2, 2014. 4. Wallace TC. Anthocyanins in cardiovascular disease. Adv Nutr. 2011;2(1):1-7. Available here. Accessed April 2, 2014. 5. Katz DL, Davidhi A, Ma Y, Kavak Y, Bifulco L, Njike VY. Effects of walnuts on endothelial function in overweight adults with visceral obesity: a randomized, controlled, crossover trial. J Am Coll Nutr. 2012;31(6):415-23. Available here. Accessed April 2, 2014. 6. Basu A, Betts NM, Nguyen A, Newman ED, Fu D, Lyons TJ. Freeze-dried strawberries lower serum cholesterol and lipid peroxidation in adults with abdominal adiposity and elevated serum lipids. J Nutr. 2014. Available here. Accessed April 2, 2014. |