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    Fabulous Florida Strawberry Month: Fun facts about this delicious berry!

    Posted on: February 23rd, 2015 by BrevardBlogger No Comments

     

    They're not only delicious, but they're good for you, too!

    They’re not only delicious, but they’re good for you, too!

    Did you know that Florida is the second-largest strawberry producer in America?  In fact, our neighbor to the east, Plant City, is known as the “Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.” Because of our warm climate, growers in our state are able to harvest their berries from November until the end of March, while other U.S. production areas are dormant.

    Florida berries are delicious AND packed with important nutrients – two great reasons to celebrate this fantastic crop! Today, Brevard Medical Equipment brings you 10 fun facts about this powerful little fruit.

    • Strawberries are high in potassium, Vitamin K, and magnesium, which are all important for bone health.
    • Eating eight strawberries a day has been shown to lower blood pressure and to have positive effects on memory and heart health.
    • Strawberries are packed with antioxidants that can improve cholesterol and increase eye health, along with high levels of Vitamin C, which can boost immunity and help prevent cancer.
    • You can dip your strawberries in dark chocolate for a double health treat, as dark chocolate has been shown to help keep white blood cells from sticking to blood vessel walls.
    • Strawberries are picked at their full ripeness, unlike some other fruits, which don’t ripen until after they’re harvested.
    • Strawberries are the only fruit that have their seeds on the outside! The average berry has about 200 seeds.
    • A bit of balsamic vinegar, lemon, or orange juice can bring out the flavor of strawberries.
    • Need a memory boost? The anthocyanins in strawberries have been shown to increase short term memory by 100 percent in eight weeks.
    • Strawberries are high in fiber, and one cup of the fruit contains only 54 calories.
    • Strawberries have a long history! Evidence that they grew wild in Italy has been found dating back to 234 B.C, and as early as 1300 A.D., the French began cultivating strawberries to use them medicinally.

    Here at Brevard Medical Equipment, we are proud of our Florida strawberry farmers! This month, help us celebrate by enjoying their fabulous berries and the health benefits that come along with them.

    You might even consider checking out the annual Florida Strawberry Festival, which is hosted by Plant City and runs from February 26th to March 8th this year. And, as always, if we can be of assistance to you, don’t hesitate to give our experts a call at 321-453-3370!

     

    Keeping Women’s Hearts Berry Healthy

    Posted on: February 26th, 2013 by BrevardBlogger 35 Comments

    A new study shows that eating berries can offer women a healthy benefit for their heart. The study involved 94,000 women who completed questionnaires that tracked their diets and eating habits. The study lasted for 18 years and the questionnaire was answered by the participants every four.

    Strawberries have been shown to help clear the plaque in the arteries and heart of women.

    In the course of the study, 405 participants had heart attacks. Researchers looked at the data collected about the participants’ diets and discovered that those who ate blueberries and strawberries the most were 32% less likely to suffer a heart attack compared to the participants who ate berries once a month or less. The women who ate three or more servings (one cup = one serving) per week decreased their risk for heart attacks by one-third.

    Those women who rarely ate blueberries and strawberries still ate a diet rich in other fruits and vegetables. Although they maintained a healthy diet, the absence of blueberries and strawberries resulted in an unchanged level of heart health.

    Why Blueberries and Strawberries?

    Many fruits and vegetables, such as grapes, wines, eggplants and blackberries contain compounds called flavonoids. Blueberries and strawberries also contain flavonoids, but they also include anthocyanins, unique to these two berries, which widen arteries and reduce plaque buildup, a main cause of heart attacks.

    Other Berry Benefits

    Besides flavonoids, berries are also packed with other nutrients including:

    • Vitamin C
    • Potassium
    • Folate

    Additionally, regularly eating berries produces a slower mental decline with age and assists with weight loss.

    Though the focus of this blog is on women, this is not to say that men are not affected by the health benefits of berries. All berries provide the nutrients that benefit the body, whether male or female. There are still many studies being conducted to better understand the health potential that berries have to the human body, but it is fairly evident that it packs a load of beneficial compounds.

    The associates at Brevard Medical Equipment understand the importance of maintaining a healthy heart. If you’re looking for other healthy food or lifestyle ideas, stop in and speak with us or contact us through our online contact form.

    Red Wine Keeps Your Heart Healthy for Valentine’s Day

    Posted on: February 12th, 2013 by BrevardBlogger 33 Comments

    Valentine’s Day has snuck up on us again and whether you’re heading out for dinner or staying in, Brevard Medical has a small meal idea that can mean the world of difference to you and your heart. A new study has found that a red meat dinner accompanied with a glass of red wine can be beneficial to your heart.

    Adding a glass of red wine to your dinner a couple of nights a week can do great things for your heart health.

    University of Jerusalem researchers have found that drinking red wine while eating red meat can prevent the build-up of cholesterol in the body. The study revolves around a compound called malondialdehydes that form in the blood stream. When eating red meat along, the compounds contribute to the formation of “bad” cholesterol that increases your risk of heart disease.

    The study found that the malondialdehydes were not absorbed into the blood stream when red meat is eaten with red wine. After four meals, it was found that those who did not consume wine saw a 97 percent rise in their modified cholesterol levels, while those who drank wine saw theirs either unaffected or decreased.

    Red wine possesses numerous other benefits originating from the makeup of wine and the fruits from which it comes:

    • The skins of red grapes contain resveratrol, a compound that gives wine its color, but also is known to have cancer-fighting effects.
    • Red wine contains the antioxidant polyphenols and flavonols. These give your body the “good” cholesterol in the blood, increases circulation and improves sugar metabolism.
    • Drinking one glass a day could help prevent bowel cancer.

    Although the many benefits with drinking red wine are impressive, drinking too much can have adverse effects. As with all alcoholic drinks, moderation and responsibility are the factors that draw the fine line between health benefits and health risks. Drink responsibly and enjoy your red wine on Valentine’s!