Unveiling the Anti-Inflammatory Source of Strawberry Compounds in Healthcare 

Introduction

Strawberries, with their scrumptious taste and lively variety, have risen above simple culinary enjoyment to arise as possible supporters of our wellbeing. Underneath the surface, strawberries house a store of mixtures that are earning respect for their striking, calming properties. This article investigates the multi-layered advantages of strawberry compounds according to a medical care viewpoint.

Have you ever thought about what benefits this strawberry can provide for your body? If yes, then you are at the right place where we shall explore the power of strawberry compounds and their anti-inflammatory elements.

Many diseases, including cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes, asthma, and cancer, are influenced by inflammation. An appropriate diet, as well as the active compounds contained in it, can influence various stages of the inflammatory process and have a significant impact on the progression of inflammatory diseases. According to recent research, polyphenolic acids, vitamins, minerals, and other fruit components may stimulate an anti-inflammatory response, which may be important in maintaining health and lowering the risk of disease. The article presents the most recent information on the chemical composition of fruits and the health benefits associated with their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Fruits' chemical composition determines their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but the mechanisms of action are unknown.¹

Strawberry compounds with anti-inflammatory properties

Let's have a look at the Compounds with Anti-Inflammatory Properties within a single strawberry.

Anthocyanins

Strong antioxidants, anthocyanins are the pigments that give strawberries their vibrant red and blue shades. These substances have been demonstrated to reduce inflammation at the cellular level, in addition to their visual appeal. According to studies, anthocyanins may reduce inflammation in the body by inhibiting certain inflammatory enzymes.

This outlines the first compound with properties inside the pigments behind the colouration of a strawberry that is infused with antioxidants.

Strawberries and wine are common ingredients that help reduce chronic inflammation.

An international team of researchers focused on the strawberry's high concentration of anthocyanins in the May 2018 edition of Food Chemistry. Anthocyanins are pigments that give strawberries their colour, but they also help to reduce chronic inflammation in the body. This study cited a specific anthocyanin, Pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside (P3G). According to the findings, the P3G in strawberries has significant anti-inflammatory properties and can be used as an adjuvant (secondary) in the treatment of inflammatory conditions.⁴ In other words, if your doctor and diet allow it, eat more strawberries to combat inflammation.

Quercetin

Strawberries also contain a flavonoid compound called quercetin, which has strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It functions by reducing the synthesis of inflammatory chemicals and modifying the activation of inflammatory pathways. Strawberries have additional potential as dietary components for the management of inflammatory diseases due to the presence of quercetin.

Ellagic acid

Ellagic acid, which is abundant in strawberries, has attracted attention due to its anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. According to research, ellagic acid may inhibit the inflammatory process by suppressing specific signalling pathways. This suggests that strawberries, which are high in ellagic acid, could be useful in reducing inflammation-related disorders.

Health benefits of strawberry

Additional benefits we explored from the intake of strawberries have been evidenced to have health, heart and gut benefits. Below we will undergo the research that revolves from a healthcare perspective.

Heart health

Chronic inflammation in the blood vessels is a common cause of cardiovascular disease. Strawberries, thanks to their anti-inflammatory compounds, help to maintain cardiovascular health by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. Regular consumption may improve blood vessel integrity, potentially lowering the risk of heart-related complications.

Cancer prevention

Ellagic acid, a prominent strawberry compound, has been studied for its potential role in cancer prevention. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a viable candidate for inhibiting cancer cell growth. While more research is needed, including strawberries in an anti-inflammatory diet may be a preventative measure in cancer risk reduction. The inclusion of rich sources of ellagic acid and its derivatives in the diet, such as cranberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, and grapes, has health benefits. The biological effects of ellagic acid include antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and antioxidant activity.

Diabetes prevention

Research on strawberries, antioxidants, and their possible link to a lower risk of diabetes is accumulating. A study published in the journal Nutrients in April 2021 concluded that eating strawberries on a regular basis significantly improved insulin resistance in adults with obesity and high LDL, or "bad" cholesterol. According to the American Diabetes Association, the hallmark of type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance. Diabetes rates are rising as research advances. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 11.3% of the U.S. population has diabetes, the majority of which is type 2, and 38% of U.S. adults have prediabetes.³ A healthy diet, which may include strawberries, is an important tool in the prevention of type 2 diabetes.

Gut health

The gut, as a centre of immune activity, is vulnerable to inflammatory disorders. Strawberry compounds, particularly quercetin, have been studied for their potential benefits to gut health. Strawberries may help people with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by modulating inflammatory responses in the digestive tract.

The link between IBS gut health and strawberries

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a set of painful conditions that can cause severe diarrhoea and fatigue. Treatments can include medications and surgery. But now researchers report that a simple dietary intervention could mitigate colonic inflammation and improve gut health. In this case, a strawberry, or rather, less than a cupful of strawberries, a day could help keep the doctor away.

The consumption of fruits and vegetables has been linked to a lower risk of IBD. Because strawberries are widely consumed, Xiao and his team at the University of Massachusetts Amherst focused on them to develop an effective and practical approach to decreasing colonic inflammation in both IBD patients and the general population.⁵ Han and Xiao used four groups of mice in their experiment: one group of healthy mice on a regular diet and three groups of mice with IBD on a regular diet, a diet with 2.5 % whole strawberry powder, or a diet with 5% whole strawberry powder. According to Xiao, they attempted to feed the mice strawberry doses comparable to what a human could reasonably consume.

The researchers discovered that consuming whole strawberries at a dose equivalent to three-quarters of a cup of strawberries per day in humans significantly reduced symptoms such as body weight loss and bloody diarrhoea in IBD mice. Strawberry treatments also reduced inflammatory responses in the colonic tissue of mice.

However, decreased inflammation was not the only benefit of the strawberry in this study. Colonic inflammation has a negative impact on the microbiota composition in the gut. IBD causes an increase in the abundance of harmful bacteria while decreasing the levels of beneficial bacteria in the colon.⁵ The researchers observed a reversal of that unhealthy microbiota composition in the IBD mice after dietary treatments with whole strawberries. Xiao's team also obtained experimental data indicating that strawberries may influence abnormal metabolic pathways in IBD mice, leading to the observed decrease in colonic inflammation.

Conclusion

In the realm of health and wellness, strawberries emerge not just as a delightful treat but as potential allies in the fight against inflammation. The intricate interplay of anthocyanins, quercetin, and ellagic acid positions strawberries as versatile contributors to overall well-being.