In my last article, we learned fascinating facts about peppers.

This week, let’s explore a subject more on the sweeter side — strawberries.

Wild strawberries have been a common source of fruit for centuries. References of strawberry cultivation became more common by the 16th century. The garden strawberry was first bred in France in the 1750s, brought from Chile by Amedee-Francois Frezier in 1714.

Today, strawberries are globally cultivated for their dazzling red color, juicy character and luscious flavor. The United States leads the world in strawberry production with 1.31 million tons annually.

Other leading strawberry producers include Turkey, Spain, Egypt, Mexico, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Poland and Germany. Eighty percent of strawberries produced in the U.S. come from California, but our area has some of the sweetest, best-tasting strawberries anywhere.

Most everyone recognizes how fabulous strawberries are, but here are a few more tidbits about this fruit to appreciate:

• Strawberries are the only fruit to wear their seeds on the outside. The average berry carries some 200 seeds.

• Strawberries actually aren’t true berries at all, like grapes, blueberries, gooseberries and cranberries, because technically berries hold their seeds on the inside. Some other fruits you might not consider to be berries, but are, include tomatoes, bananas, avocado, eggplant, kiwi, pumpkin, watermelon and peppers.

• Strawberry plants are perennials, which means they come back each year.

• There are three types of strawberries: June-bearing, overbearing, and day neutral. They are members of the rose family. Other fruits that belong to the “Rosaceae” or rose family include apples, pears, apricots, quinces, plums, raspberries, peaches, loquats, cherries and almonds. 

• According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Americans eat an average of 3.5 pounds of fresh strawberries per year (I personally know folks who eat much more).

• May 21-27 is “Strawberry Week” in Delaware, and it’s celebrated every year. Belgium actually has a museum dedicated to strawberries. It’s called “Musee de la Fraise.”

• Native Americans were among the first to enjoy strawberries. Ancient Romans believed strawberries had medicinal powers. In France, strawberries are believed to be an aphrodisiac.

• Did you know strawberries are loaded with healthful benefits? They’re packed with vitamins and minerals like vitamins C and K, folate, manganese, potassium and magnesium. They’re low in calories, but high in fiber. One cup of strawberries yields only 49 calories, yet provides 3 grams of dietary fiber.

• Strawberries are rich in heart-healthy antioxidants like ellagic acid and flavonoids like anthocyanin, catechin, quercetin and kaempferol. These compounds lower risk for cardiovascular disease by impeding the formation of total and LDL (bad) cholesterol. They also improver blood flow by relaxing blood vessels.

• Strawberries are great for the eyes, because they prevent dry eye, degeneration of the optic nerves, macular degeneration, vision defects and vulnerability to infections. They also help reduce ocular pressure, which can be harmful.

• The antioxidants vitamin C, kaempferol, anthocyanins and quercetin found in strawberries fight cancer and tumor growth.

• Strawberries reduce hypertension, because they are a rich source of potassium and magnesium, both of which are vasodilators.

• The vitamin C found in strawberries helps boost the immune system. One cup contains 150 percent of the daily value of vitamin C. The fiber and vitamin C in strawberries help reduce cholesterol in blood vessels.

• To keep strawberries longer, wash the berries in a diluted vinegar bath. Soak for five minutes in 1 cup of vinegar plus 3 cups of water. Let air dry on a paper towel before storing. Once dried, there’s no vinegar taste, and strawberries will last three to four times longer. In fact, you can use this method with most fruits and vegetables — however this is not a substitute for using a vegetable brush to help wash away hard-to-remove microbes. 

Diet or exercise question? Email me at dwcrocker77@gmail.com or text to 864-494-6215. David Crocker, of Landrum, has been a nutritionist and master personal trainer for 30 years.