Dr. William Li, physician and researcher: “A cup of strawberries a day will lower depression”
Strawberries are not just a delectable summer treat that give us pleasure but also a powerful antidepressant according to science.
When the summer months roll around strawberry lovers look forward to enjoying this delectable treat. The red fruit doesn’t just delight our taste buds but also provides us with several health benefits including improving memory and reducing depression according to science.
A study conducted by the University of Cincinnati found that eating a cup of strawberries, designated as a standard serving by the California Strawberry Commission, a day improves executive function and diminishes depressive symptoms. The key compound that is behind this benefit cited by the researchers are antioxidants called anthocyanins.
These are naturally occurring pigments found in a variety of fruits, vegetables, and flowers that give them their vivid blue, purple, and red hues. The UC team’s investigation was an extension of research into the health benefits of blueberries which also contain anthocyanins.
“There is epidemiological data suggesting that people who consume strawberries or blueberries regularly have a slower rate of cognitive decline with aging,” said Robert Krikorian, professor emeritus in the UC College of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience in a statement.
Additionally, he says that strawberries contain other micronutrients called ellagitannins and ellagic acid that are also associated with health benefits. Renowned physician and best-selling author Dr. William Li shared on The Dr. Hyman Show that strawberries have the most potent ellagic acid.
Consuming a cup a day over a couple weeks will change your mental state he noted. “It’ll actually lower depression, improve cognition, specifically improve memory,” he said. Li recommends that you eat organic strawberries as you cannot wash off the pesticides because you cannot remove skin from them.
“You wanna have organic strawberries because they’re the ones that have to defend themselves against mother nature just to stay robust,” he explained. “So they actually have the greatest hormetic generation of these polyphenols.”
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