Strawberries are the fruits of flowering plants in the Fragaria genus, which are part of the rose family. Noted for their bright color and tart sweetness, strawberries are eaten "as is" off the vine or reduced into a simple syrup or jam. Vinegar is a product of the fermentation of grain alcohol, cider, wine or beer, which is then aged in wooden casks. Both foods liven up other foods, especially when combined together in salad. As an added bonus, strawberries and vinegar may benefit your health. Keep dietary restrictions in mind, such as an allergy or sensitivity to strawberries. Similarly, be cautious about vinegar if you have a history of esophageal disorders or peptic ulcers.
Strawberry Health Benefits
According to the "Physicians' Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines," strawberries contain oligomeric proanthocyanidins, which possess potent antioxidant properties. In a May 2011 issue of "The British Journal of Nutrition," a team of researchers from the Illinois Institute of Technology report that overweight adults given a high-carbohydrate, moderate-fat meal that included a strawberry drink demonstrated decreased postprandial inflammation evidenced by measurable reductions in C-reactive protein and interleukin-6. In addition, the antioxidant content of strawberries improved insulin sensitivity. This simply means that fewer markers for the development of heart disease and diabetes were observed.
Vinegar Health Benefits
Vinegar appears to affect serum cholesterol levels positively. In a study published in June 2011 in the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry," scientists report that apple cider vinegar decreased blood levels of triglycerides and very low-density lipoproteins, the "bad" cholesterol. Previously, a study published in the "Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology" showed similar effects on cholesterol with balsamic vinegar. In addition, vinegar polyphenols significantly blocked the uptake of oxidized low-density lipoprotein, which is otherwise associated with the formation of arterial plaque in atherosclerosis.
Strawberry Side Effects
There are no reports of side effects or herb/drug interactions with the consumption of strawberries or strawberry products. However, you will want to avoid this herb and its fruit if you have a known allergy to strawberries or other plants in the rose family.
Vinegar Side Effects
If you have a history of peptic ulcers or gastroesophageal reflux disease, vinegar consumption may worsen symptoms because of the acetic acid content. In a paper published in July 2005 in the "Journal of the American Dietetic Association," University of Arkansas scientists caution that inconsistency among apple cider vinegar tablets make their quality and efficacy questionable. It should be noted that a case that was referred to the authors of the study prior to their review involved esophageal injury from such products.
References
- "Physicians' Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines"; Thomas Brendler, et al.; 2007
- "The British Journal of Nutrition"; Strawberry Anthocyanin and its Association with Postprandial Inflammation and Insulin; I. Edirisinghe, et al.; May 2011
- "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry"; Effects of Apple Cider Vinegars Produced with Different Techniques on Blood Lipids in High-Cholesterol-fed Rats; N.H. Budak, et al.; June 2011
- "Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology"; Inhibitory Effects of Balsamic Vinegar on LDL Oxidation and Lipid Accumulation in THP-1 Macrophages; M. Iizuka, et al.; 2010
- "Journal of the American Dietetic Association"; Esophageal Injury by Apple Cider Vinegar Tablets and Subsequent Evaluation of Products; L.L. Hill, et al.; July 2005
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