In salads, smoothies or straight from the tray, strawberries are a tasty treat for young and old alike. And that’s good news considering they’re packed with health benefits, as revealed by a new study presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Nutrition.

Conducted by researchers at San Diego State University and presented at the Nutrition 2023 event, this study builds on previous research reporting benefits for metabolic, cardiovascular and cognitive health through the regular consumption of strawberries.

Although the study involved a small sample group of 35 men and women aged 66-78, it nevertheless demonstrates the potentially positive impact of strawberries on many aspects of health.

The researchers asked participants to consume either 26g of freeze-dried strawberry powder – corresponding to two servings of strawberries – or a placebo, without being told which they were taking, every day for eight weeks.

The scientists report that strawberry consumption increased cognitive processing speed by 5.2%, lowered systolic blood pressure by 3.6%, and increased antioxidant capacity by 10.2%, compared with the placebo group.

“This study demonstrates that consuming strawberries may promote cognitive function and improve cardiovascular risk factors like hypertension,” said San Diego State professor and study lead author Shirin Hooshmand.

“We’re encouraged that a simple dietary change, like adding strawberries to the daily diet, may improve these outcomes in older adults.”

Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, strawberries may not only play a role in cognitive function and cardiovascular health, but also help boost the immune system and protect cells from free radical damage.

Like many fruits, the fibre it contains facilitates intestinal transit and, generally, improves digestive health.