Seminar Shows Strawberries Provide More Than Basic Nutrition

Health Professionals Learn Strawberries' Role in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

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Jun 18, 2014, 06:18 ET

WATSONVILLE, Calif., June 18, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Encouraging children and adults of all ages to improve fruit intake and variety by adding strawberries to their diet, the California Strawberry Commission and Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) teamed to present registered dietitians (RDs) with substantial evidence to classify strawberries as a functional food – offering health benefits beyond basic nutrition.

The webinar, Strawberries as a Functional Food: A Sweet Strategy for Health, presented by expert Britt Burton-Freeman of the Illinois Institute of Technology and UC Davis, was attended by 144 health professionals. An overview of the health-promoting constituents of strawberries was shared, and a review of data from human studies that support their potential role in helping to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, age-related cognitive decline and inflammation. The presentation also highlighted how to add inspiration and appeal to meals and snacks by just adding strawberries, making it easy to increase the nutrient content of everyday meals.

"A key initiative of PBH is to continuously provide fruit and vegetable focused information and resources to registered dietitians, especially those employed by supermarkets who interact daily with consumers, said Elizabeth Pivonka, Ph.D., R.D., President & CEO, Produce for Better Health Foundation. "When consumers ask registered dietitians, particularly supermarket dietitians, food and nutrition related questions they need to have accurate information and access to resources. Partnering with organizations, such as the California Strawberry Commission is one way PBH, and the entire fruit and vegetable industry, is ensuring registered dietitians have the needed information to help consumers increase their daily consumption of fruit and vegetables."

"As one of America's favorite fruits, it is important to effectively communicate the many benefits strawberries can provide to the daily diet, said Chris Christian, Senior Vice President, California Strawberry Commission. "We are pleased to have experts like Dr. Burton-Freeman share findings with RDs who do a great job turning the information into valuable and practical advice for their clients and the public."

As an added benefit to attending the webinar, available on the PBH website June 20, 2014, the RD participants received continuing education credit.

About the California Strawberry Commission
The California Strawberry Commission, www.californiastrawberries.com, is a state government agency representing all of California's strawberry shippers, processors and farmers. With an emphasis on food safety education, Commission activities focus on production and nutrition research, trade relations, public policy, marketing and communications. California produces more than 85 percent of all strawberries grown in the United States. Follow California Strawberries on Facebook and Twitter.

About Produce for Better Health Foundation
Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) fruit and vegetable education foundation. Since 1991, PBH has worked to motivate people to eat more fruits and vegetables to improve public health. PBH achieves success through industry and government collaboration, first with the 5 A Day program and now with the Fruits & Veggies-More Matters public health initiative. Fruits & Veggies-More Matters is the nation's largest public-private, fruit and vegetable nutrition education initiative with Fruit and Vegetable Nutrition Coordinators in each state, territory and the military. To learn more, visit www.PBHFoundation.org and www.FruitsandVeggiesMoreMatters.org. Follow Fruits & Veggies-More Matters on Facebook or Twitter.

PBH is also a member and co-chair with Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) of the National Fruit & Vegetable Alliance (NFVA), consisting of government agencies, non-profit organizations, and industry working to collaboratively and synergistically achieve increased nationwide access and demand for all forms of fruits and vegetables for improved public health. To learn more, visit www.NFVA.org.

SOURCE California Strawberry Commission