A doctor has shared the correct way to eat strawberries to make sure you’re getting enough nutrients from them.
Dr Karan Raj, a medical expert who has gained popularity on TikTok for debunking health myths, has revealed that we’ve been eating strawberries incorrectly. He advised his 5.3 million followers: “If you’re eating strawberries, eat the leaves as well. A strawberry top with the leaves is known as a calyx. It has a nutritional value on par with the berry itself.”
He further explained that the leafy tops are packed with antioxidants and almost as much vitamin C as the fruit itself.
“The leaf tops also contain magnesium as well as fibre”, he added. However, this revelation raised questions among his viewers, with one asking: “What about the pesticides on most of the leaves and fruit? “
For those worried about properly cleaning their strawberries, chef and nutritionist Lisa Marley recommends using bicarbonate of soda for a more thorough wash.
“Washing with water alone can help remove some bacteria, but using a vinegar and bicarbonate of soda solution may be more effective at reducing the risk of E.coli contamination,” she advised.
Marley’s method involves soaking the fruit in a mixture of a litre of water, 150ml of white vinegar, and 40g of bicarbonate of soda, followed by a thorough rinse after five minutes.
So, have you been munching on strawberries with their leaves or is this news to you too?