Strawberries may help prevent diabetes

Adding strawberries to your daily diet could help protect against diabetes and heart disease, according to a new study by scientists from Warwick University.
After studying the beneficial effects of this fruit on cardiovascular health, Professor Paul Thornalley, from Warwick Medical School, and colleagues found that strawberry extracts activate a protein in the body called ‘Nrf2’, which increases antioxidants in the body while also reducing blood lipids and cholesterol – both of which can contribute to cardiovascular disease .
In a press release, Professor Thornalley explained: “We’ve discovered the science behind how strawberries work to increase our in-built defences to keep cells, organs and blood vessels healthy and which can reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular problems such as heart disease and diabetes .”
He said the next step is to identify which type of strawberry offers the most value, whether the fruit’s health properties are affected by processing or serving methods, and how many strawberries need to be eaten for maximum health benefits.
The scientists plan to carry out this research using screening and mathematical modeling techniques developed at the University of Warwick.
The results of their study will be presented by Professor Thornalley at the forthcoming 16th biennial meeting for the Society for Free Radical Research International (SFRRI) at Imperial College London.