Could protecting your red blood cells be as easy as munching on red berries? A recent study found that this may be the case. Subjects consumed 500 grams (a little over a pound) of strawberries every day for 16 days and it increased subjects’ serum vitamin C and plasma total antioxidant capacity. The strawberry consumption also made their red blood cells more resistant to destruction. This study provides evidence for the long-held idea that if we consume foods high in antioxidants our bodies will actually improve its ability to fight oxidizing agents. This finding is especially pertinent given that we live in a world full of oxidizing compounds, such as smoke and harmful food agents, such as nitrites. Over time, these begin to cause cell damage that is responsible for diseases such as cancers. A diet high in vitamins A, C, and E, the antioxidants found in many fruits and vegetables, has been encouraged to combat this damage. This study shows that the antioxidant properties of strawberries may do exactly that. Just 1 cup of strawberries provides us with over 100 percent of our daily recommended intake of vitamin C. So it’s no wonder that this “strawberry supplementation” was shown to do wonders for the body’s antioxidant capacity. Incorporating strawberries and other colorful, vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables could help you prevent cell destruction and harmful disease. So grab a pint and get snacking!