All EOS blogs All Spain blogs  Start your own blog Start your own blog 

Naturally Healthy Living in Spain

This is where we all learn how to take advantage of the health advantages right here on our Spanish doorstep. And I'll be reviewing some great natural products too.

Strawberries - my favourite anti-inflammatory medication!
Monday, February 3, 2014 @ 5:12 PM

Going around the market in Benidorm yesterday, my senses were assailed by the aroma of fresh strawberries. That's excellent news for me, because apart from the fact that strawberries - along with cherries - are my favourite fruit, they are also one of the best anti-inflammatory foods there is. On top of that, you can also use strawberries for hair and skin care. And when they are fresh and in season, the anti-oxidants and vitamin levels in strawberries are at their best. Here's how you can use strawberries to improve your health naturally.

Anti-inflammatory benefits

Strawberries are rich in vitamin C, which is excellent at fighting inflammation. In fact, just 8 ripe strawberries contain more vitamin C than an orange, which is acknowledged as a rich source of the vitamin. But there's more, and this is the science bit. The phenols in strawberries hinder the action of the inflammation-causing natural enzyme cyclooxygenase- otherwise known as COX.

COX inhibiting drugs are routinely prescribed for people with Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis to cope with internal inflammation and pain. However, I can't take them, because they either affect my blood pressure or my stomach. And with a history of heart disease in the family - both of my parents died young from blood pressure related conditions - it's not advisable for me. In addition, I'm allergic to Ibuprofen, so that rules out almost all the anti-inflammatory drugs on the market.

Strawberries are natural COX inhibitors, and are just as effective as drugs if you eat enough. And I can never eat enough strawberries!

Skin and hair

One of the most annoying things about Lupus is it affects the skin and the hair. I could stuff a cushion with the hair that comes out on my comb every morning, and it gets a bit dull and lifeless too. A while back, a Spanish friend who has really glossy hair told me her secret - she mashes a few ripe strawberries in a tablespoon of mayonnaise, then massages it into her hair and leaves for about 20 minutes before shampooing out. I tried it, and it really works. It doesn't stop my hair coming out, but it does leave the rest of it looking shiny and healthy.

Because of the Lupus, I also get a circulation rash on my legs sometimes, and if I forget to apply my factor 50 sunscreen - even in January - I'm liable to get a butterfly rash across my nose and cheeks. When the rashes go, they leave little scars and dead skin cells behind, so to keep my skin looking good, I make an exfoliating wash from strawberries - about 10 or 12 large ripe ones - and a little sugar and olive oil.I just use that instead of regular shower gel, and it perks up my skin and leaves it looking glowing and healthy.

When my skin is itching or irritated, I find that if I just cut a ripe strawberry in half and rub it all over my face and neck, and anywhere else that's irritated, it soothes the irritation better than anything. Leave the juice on the skin for a few minutes, then rinse off. Even if you don't have problem skin like me, it's a great pick me up for dull skin.

Other health benefits

Strawberries can protect against heart disease, and also help regulate blood sugar levels, thus reducing the risk of Type 2 Diabetes. They can also help you manage diabetes if you already have it. And because they are low in calories and high in nutrients, strawberries are an excellent choice if you're watching your weight. Oh, and they taste wonderful too, so if you see somebody buying up all the strawberries on the market say 'Hello,' because it will probably be me!

 



Like 2




7 Comments


tom said:
Saturday, February 8, 2014 @ 10:15 AM

I will try this out


Paulina said:
Saturday, February 8, 2014 @ 1:47 PM

This is a very welcome well reported piece of info.

1. Because l am also allergic to Neurofen pain killers and Ibrubofen anti inflammatories. Blacked out with the tablets and the ointment gave me a painful burning red glow and in turn, panic.

Some beauticians include anti inflammatory cream in a 5 step facial
to give a magical glow, therefore ask exactly what they will use
and mention any sensitivity before that burning sensation gives you a nasty
surprise.

The English GP remarked a classic case of medication poisoning the system
when l described my loss of power, sickness, perspiration and the blood drained from my ghost like face and lips.
Some might believe the sudden wave of sickness to be their actual illness but should avoid taking strong pain killers if this has happened more than once.
Find an alterntive family of analgesics.

l no longer use pain killers at all for an occasional headache.
The breathing l learnt at Yoga rids pain.

The Spanish GP said wear an ID tag saying ALLERGIC to the "AINES" group of medications because in a half conscious accident - ambulance situation, their first protocol maybe a shot up the artillery with an antiflammatory or a
cortesone jab. Fantastically effective if not allergic.

Yesterday l was very drawn to the aroma and delight of a huge delicious stack of strawberries and wondered how l would chomp through a whole bargain
boxful.

Now l know, l will eat half and maybe bathe in the other half ;~)
at least make up these potions for tired winter skin and hair

And l know something l didn't about their useful and natural anti inflammatory benefits.

THANK YOU SANDRA - l needed an alternative to citrus fruits

Yesterday l also read about the many health benefits of the POMEGRANET
plentiful here and revered by every ancient culture.

The trick to pop the seeds out, is cut the fruit around its middle, NOT lengthwise
Saw Nigella do this and they fell out with a tap or two.

And a daily spoon of raw organic COCO NUT OIL
very good for heart, reversing diabetes and brilliant for the brain if you worry about ALZ.

Look for a small 200 ml jar to try it, Dr Goergs is €8.70


eggcup said:
Saturday, February 8, 2014 @ 2:16 PM

Well done Sandra for an excellent and informative piece. I'm in Spain at the end of the month and will make sure the whole family eats a stack of strawberries and maybe think of some recipes with them, too. We've got them in the UK at the moment - little packs of about 8 strawberries for £1, coming from Huelva usually, but it's not the same as a lovely big fresh box of them.


maria said:
Saturday, February 8, 2014 @ 7:11 PM

need to ensure strawberries are free of sprays


Jdlb said:
Sunday, February 9, 2014 @ 10:34 PM

Also this fruit is one of the most sprayed with chemicals


Debbie said:
Monday, February 10, 2014 @ 7:56 PM

I found your article very interesting and helpful as I too love strawberries. However, over the years I have heard that strawberries is very bad for arthritis (making it worse and more painful). I don't like taking lots of paracetomol and ibuprofen so look forward to any recommendations of ani-inflamatoryies. Any comments? Thanks
Debbie


SandrainAlgorfa said:
Monday, February 10, 2014 @ 9:16 PM

Hello, Debbie. Can I ask if you've ever kept a food diary, to find out if strawberries do affect your arthritis? Certain foods affect different people in different ways. For example, I was told that tomatoes were bad for arthritis, but I kept a food diary for a month, recording what I ate and how I felt the next day. I was fine with tomatoes, but red wine had a bad effect, and so did red meat if I ate it two days running.

Other anti-inflammatory foods include avocado, olive oil and olives, oily fish, sweet potatoes, whole grains, legumes and spices such as turmeric, ginger and cinnamon. Just Google 'Anti-inflammatory foods' and include as many as possible in your diet.


Only registered users can comment on this blog post. Please Sign In or Register now.




 

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse you are agreeing to our use of cookies. More information here. x