A Berry Good Thing

Tempted to go overboard on fresh strawberries? Go ahead.

It's peak season, so they're cheap, juicy, abundant, and one of the healthiest fruits around. A string of recent studies credit strawberries with helping to smack down the effects of bad LDL cholesterol, inhibit disease-fueling inflammation, fight the development of cancer, and even benefit the aging brain. Whew! All that and irresistible flavor.

Strawberries are famous for their heart-healthy vitamin C, but they're also packed with potent disease-fighting antioxidants, especially one called ellagic acid, which has shown strong cancer-fighting properties in the lab. Strawberries also are rich in flavonoids, antioxidants that help shield cells from molecular damage, reducing the risks of multiple diseases and needless brain/body aging. Strawberry shortcake, anyone?