Doctor's 'correct' way to eat strawberries might surprise you

Strawberry lovers, it's time for a game-changer. Dr Karan Raj, the health expert taking TikTok by storm with a following of over 5.3 million, has dropped a nutrition jewel on us all—eat your strawberries leaf and all.

The good doctor advises: "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 emphasizes that this often-discarded part is not to be underestimated, boasting an impressive haul of antioxidants, hefty doses of vitamin C, magnesium and additional fibre.

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However, what if those healthy greens are hiding unwanted chemicals?

For the health-conscious consumer wary of pesticides, culinary health expert Lisa Marley proposes a savvy solution, bypassing traditional rinses in favour of something a tad more technical. Ditching plain water, Marley endorses the use of a vinegar-bicarb mix – a trick echoed by the Express, reports the Mirror.

She suggests: "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."

For those keen to try out her method, she recommends preparing a concoction consisting of one litre of water, 150ml of white vinegar, and 40g of bicarbonate of soda, into which the strawberries should be immersed for five minutes before being rinsed off thoroughly.

So, are you going to stick with the old ways or are you prepared to try something new next time you snack on strawberries?

According to WebMD, strawberries, brimming with vitamin C and other antioxidants, can help ward off serious health conditions such as cancer, diabetes, stroke and heart disease. These succulent fruits also have a low glycemic index score, which could assist in controlling blood sugar spikes after meals.

Plus, they might even support weight loss by stimulating the production of hormones that burn fat.