Strawberry leaves aren’t quite a health superfood, but they may have several health benefits that make you think twice before de-leafing ’em. We walk through their benefits and ways to use them.
Strawberriesare one of the most popular berries. They’re sweet, red, and have been a go-to topping fordessertssince long before processed sugar existed.
When eating strawberries, most opt to remove the leaves. Is this an unnecessary waste though? Turns outstrawberry plant leavesaren’t merely edible — they’re packed with a bunch of healthyfeel-good body benefits.
Yup, you were today years old when you learned that strawberry leaves are fully edible AND they’re good for you. If you’ve got strawberry leaf questions you’re in the right place — here’s everything you need to know.
Strawberry leaf benefits: Are they good for you?
Strawberry leaves aren’t quite a healthsuperfood(they’re nogoji berriesorspirulina), but they may have several health benefits that make you think twice before de-leafing your strawbs.
Like a lot of “hey we’ve been eating this wrong” food health stuff, research into strawberry leaves isn’t extensive —despite strawberry plants being used medicinally sinceye olden days.
To sum up the science, studies that exist indicate that leaving the leaves on your strawberries ain’t the worst idea. It might even be a good one.
1. Strawberry leaves may improve heart health
Berries have been touted as aheart-friendly foodby dietary scientists for several decades — strawberries very much included.
Berries contain lots ofpolyphenolslikeanthocyanins, which are organic compoundsprovenacross multiple clinical trials to reduce the risk of heart complications. Many trials included strawberries, both fresh and freeze-dried, as well as liquid polyphenol extracts derived directly from strawberries.
Fun fact: The leaves of strawberriescontain way more polyphenolsthan the flesh. If you’re using strawberries as an ingredient in, say, a hearth health-boostingsmoothie, leaving on the leaves will increase theba-thump ba-thumpbenefits you feel with each beat.
2. Strawberry leaves might reduce blood sugar
There’s evidence strawberry leavesreduce blood sugar levels. This is great for folks with conditions liketype 2 diabeteswho carry a higher risk of hyperglycemia (aka dangerouslyhigh blood sugar levels).
Polyphenols can tip their hat again here — they’re behind this benefit too. Clinical trials likethis one from 2015found strawberry leaf extract high in polyphenolic compounds significantly reduced blood glucose levels in rats with diabetes. Rats obvi aren’t people, so human trials are very much needed, but the results are promising.
The theory is that polyphenol-rich strawberry leaves influence carbohydrate digestion and absorption, and as a knock-on effect help keep blood sugar levels under control.
Are strawberry leaves the future of type 2 diabetes treatment? Probably not, but having abowl of leafy strawberriesafter ahigh-carb meallike pasta is already being recommended by some dietitians.
3. Strawberry leaves reduce oxidative stress
It’s no news that strawberries are swimming inantioxidants, but the fact most are found in the leaves and not thefruitmight come as a surprise.
Researchers estimate that the antioxidant capacity of strawberry leaves isup to six times higherthan the flesh of the berry itself. This isn’t just true for strawberries either —research from 2016suggests that leaves are where the antioxidant party tends to be formostberries.
The bioactive compounds (those lilpolyphenols again) found in strawberry leaves can help reducefree radicalsthat cause oxidative stress.
Just like every benefit on our list, if you’re using strawberries for an antioxidant boost, leaves-on is the way to go.
4. Strawberry leaves boost your immune system
Vitamin Cis one of the most important vitamins for ahealthy immune system. Good thing that strawberry leaves are almost as rich invitamin Cas the berry bit of the plant then, isn’t it?
It varies from plant to plant, but strawberry leaves contain vitamin C, just like the strawberry fruit.
Strawberriescontinue to be investigatedfor their benefits as an immune-boosting functional food. The combo of vitamin C and polyphenols is known to help the body maintain its defenses.
Regularstrawberries in your dietcould help keep those sick days down, and including the leaves will only increase the benefits.
5. Strawberry leaves might have anti-microbial properties
There’s some evidence that strawberry leaves have anti-microbial properties too. But more research is needed to confirm if it’s true and, if it is, whether these effects are enough to make a song and dance about.
As it stands,some researchhas found that strawberry extracts inhibit the growth of various viruses, bacteria, and pathogenic microbes. The evaluation used strawberryextractsthough, and while investigations likethis one from 2014suggest the chemical composition of strawberry leaves is a recipe for anti-microbial benefits, studies that test this theory are still scarce.
Ways you can use strawberry tops and leaves
The easiest way to get strawberry leaves into your system is to eat strawberries and leave the leaves on. Pretty easy.
But if you want to use them as an ingredient on their own, you def can. You can find dried strawberry leaves and liquid strawberry leaf extract online or at health food stores.
As for foods and recipes you may add strawberry leaves to, here are a few of our faves:
1. Make strawberry leaf tea
Herbal teasare good for the body and soul, and dried strawberry leaves can be added for both an additional health boost and for a bit of mild fruity flavor.
2. Whip up a smoothie
Strawberriesgo great in smoothies, and so do their leaves! you may add a bit of strawberry leaf to your smoothie by leaving the leaves on the strawberries you already include, or adding a little dried leaf or extract to your mix.
They work withgreen smoothiestoo, especially as an added kick for akale–spinachcombo.
3. Toss them in a salad
Fresh strawberry leaves make a great addition toleafy salads. The flavor’s light, so it won’t overpower the hero of your dish, but it’ll add a grassy, fruity edge that’ll bring out both the natural earthy undertones and zesty fruity currents in your other ingredients.
4. Add ’em to your booze
If you’re looking for a little extra something for yourmojitoorsummertime cocktail, strawberry leaves work wonders. To make life extra easy you can use strawberry tops saved from strawberries you eat (if you don’t want to eat the leaves).
Safety, side effects, and risks of strawberry leaves
Strawberry leaves are safe to eat. There’s no risk from consuming dried or fresh strawberry leaves — they’re not poisonous and have no side effects.
But — as with most things —allergic reactionsare always a possibility. And while fatal allergic reactions to strawberries are rare, they’re not unheard of. Here are some signs of allergic reaction to look out for:
If you have any of the above reactions, stop eating ASAP and seek medical attention.
Most people throw away the leaves when they eat strawberries, but strawberry leaves aren’t bad for you — they actually have a bunch of potential health benefits including improving heart health, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, boosting the immune system, and reducing blood sugar levels.
Strawberry leaves can be eaten fresh or purchased dried, or as a liquid extract/tincture. They make a great addition to smoothies and cocktails, but the most common way to consume them is as an ingredient in herbal tea (which means you get the addedhealth boosts of herbal teas, too).
