Potential Impact of Strawberries on Human Health: A Review of the Science

Abstract

Epidemiological studies have noted a consistent association between the consumption of diets rich in fruits and vegetables and a lower risk for chronic diseases including cancer and cardiovascular disease. There is accumulating evidence that much of the health-promoting potential of these plant foods may come from phytochemicals, bioactive compounds not designated as traditional nutrients. In strawberries, the most abundant of these are ellagic acid, and certain flavonoids: anthocyanin, catechin, quercetin and kaempferol.

These compounds in strawberries have potent antioxidant power. Antioxidants help lower risk of cardiovascular events by inhibition of LDL-cholesterol oxidation, promotion of plaque stability, improved vascular endothelial function, and decreased tendency for thrombosis. Furthermore, strawberry extracts have been shown to inhibit COX enzymes in vitro, which would modulate the inflammatory process. Individual compounds in strawberries have demonstrated anticancer activity in several different experimental systems, blocking initiation of carcinogenesis, and suppressing progression and proliferation of tumors. Preliminary animal studies have indicated that diets rich in strawberries may also have the potential to provide benefits to the aging brain.

Keywords:

• berries
• phytochemicals
• ellagic acid
• flavonoid
• anthocyanin
• catechin
• quercetin
• kaempferol

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This literature review was supported in part by the California Strawberry Commission.

Notes

¹Converted from dry weight based on assumption of 90% water in fresh.

²GAE = gallic acid equivalents.

³Converted from μmol value based on 170.12 molecular weight of gallic acid.

⁴Converted from μmol value based on 330.61 molecular weight of malvidin.

¹TE = Trolox equivalents. The ORAC activity of 1 mol of α-tocopherol equals one mol of TE, the ORAC activity of 1 μmol of vitamin C equals 0.52 μmol of TE.

²Data expressed as mg of pelargonidin-3-glucoside.

³Mean of eight cultivars, Allstar, Delmarvel, Earliglow, Latestar, Lester, Mohawk, Northeaster, and Red Chief.

¹TE = Trolox equivalents.

²Data expressed as mg of pelargonidin-3-glucoside.

¹TE = Trolox equivalents.

²Data expressed as mg of pelargonidin-3-glucoside.

* See references 31, 32, 39, 40, 41, 43, 44, 133, and 134.