The potential impact of strawberry on human health

Abstract

The strawberry (Fragaria X ananassa, Duch.) represents a relevant source of micronutrients, such as minerals, vitamin C, folate and phenolic substances, most of which are natural antioxidants and contribute to the high nutritional quality of the fruit. All these compounds are essential for health and, in particular, strawberry phenolics are best known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action, and possess directly and indirectly antimicrobial, anti-allergy and anti-hypertensive properties, as well as the capacity to inhibit the activities of some physiological enzymes and receptor properties. The main objective of this article is to review and update the current knowledge on the potential impact of the strawberry on human health, with particular attention on compounds and their possible mechanisms of action.

Keywords:

• strawberry
• nutritional quality
• bioavailability
• metabolism
• chronic disease

Notes

Note

1. This article is a contribution for the special issue on the 70th birthday of Prof. Dr Atta-ur-Rahman. Prof Atta-ur-Rahman is actually a legend for many researchers world-wide for having been a pioneer and a clear reference in natural product's investigation during the last decades. This is just a minor expression of our appreciation for his dedication to science and research, always at higher level.