Strawberries are delicious anytime! Bright red juicy strawberries. If you’re not already a fan of strawberries, you should be. Not only are they juicy, summery and delicious, they’re a bona fide super food, too. Nutrient-filled and packed with antioxidants (like vitamin C), strawberries offer a wide range of health benefits, some of which may surprise you. Whether fresh or frozen, there’s no denying that strawberries are a popular fruit but they also pack a healthy punch. One serving of strawberries contains 51.5 mg of vitamin C, about half of your daily requirement. Double a serving to one cup and get 100 percent.

Vitamin C is a well-known immunity booster, as well as a powerful, fast-working antioxidant. The antioxidant properties in strawberries may also help to prevent cataracts the clouding over of the eye lens, which can lead to blindness in older age. Our eyes require vitamin C to protect them from exposure to free-radicals from the sun’s harsh UV rays, which can damage the protein in the lens. Vitamin C also plays an important role in strengthening the eye’s cornea and retina. The power of vitamin C in strawberries continues, as it is important to the production of collagen, which helps to improve skin’s elasticity and resilience. Since we lose collagen as we age, eating foods rich in vitamin C may result in healthier, younger-looking skin.

The antioxidants found in strawberries may also help to reduce inflammation of the joints, which may cause arthritis and can also lead to heart disease. Fiber is a necessity for healthy digestion, and strawberries naturally contain about 2 g per serving. Problems that can arise from lack of fiber include constipation and diverticulitis, an inflammation of the intestines.

So whether you are enjoying a bowl of delicious red jewels just for the taste, know that at the same time you are doing your body a world of good too.