But research shows that frozen blueberries might have the edge over fresh berries when it comes to health. Studies conducted at the South Dakota State University show that freezing blueberries makes their powerful antioxidants more available to the human body.
Numerous studies have found that frozen berries contain the same nutritional elements as fresh berries that have just been harvested. However, this does not mean that “fresh” berries found in the produce section of a grocery store are a better choice than frozen berries.
Benefits of Frozen Fruit and Fresh Fruit
Because fruit is frozen quickly, it retains nutritional value. If your fresh fruit is truly fresh, the nutrient value may be similar. If your fresh fruit was shipped and sat on store shelves for a while, it may contain fewer nutrients.
Researchers analyzed the anthocyanin content of blueberries frozen for one, three and five months and found no decrease in antioxidants over fresh berries. They also retain similar or greater concentrations of thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin B-6, folate and fibre.
They found more beneficial nutrients in the frozen samples, in everything from broccoli to blueberries. In two out of three cases, frozen fruits and veggies packed higher levels of antioxidants, including polyphenols, anthocyanins, lutein, and beta-carotene. So freezing produce does not destroy its nutrients.
Since blueberries are frozen soon after they are picked, “they are equal in quality to fresh,” Plumb explains. She analyzed the anthocyanin content of blueberries frozen for one, three, and five months and found no decrease in antioxidants over fresh berries.
As with many foods, you will obtain the greatest health benefits from blueberries if you eat them raw. Cooked blueberries still have some health benefits but, say, blueberries baked into pancakes won't have all of the nutritional flavor or nutritional benefits of the raw fruit.
Frozen Blueberries
According to the USDA, 1 cup of frozen blueberries contains 13 grams of natural sugar and 4 grams of fiber. You may have noticed that they are higher in sugar than strawberries and raspberries.
How many blueberries a day? Blueberries are something that can be enjoyed every day, and two handfuls of blueberries, which is the equivalent of 4 heaped teaspoons, counts towards one of your five-a-day portions. Research has found that eating a cup of blueberries a day reduces risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Calories and sugar: One cup of frozen or fresh blueberries contains about 80 calories and 15 grams of sugar, while one cup of dried blueberries has over 500 calories and 100 grams of sugar.
Freezing doesn't significantly diminish berries' nutrition. In fact, berries are harvested for freezing when they're at the peak of freshness, so you can enjoy them all year round.
There's no downside to eating blueberries every day because they're so healthy. But Zumpano says you'll get the most benefits from fresh, uncooked organic berries. While delicious, blueberry pancakes or muffins aren't quite as healthy. “Antioxidants can be harmed by heat,” Zumpano explains.
For example, fat oxidation rate rose by 19.7%, 43.2%, and 31.1% at 20, 30, and 40 minutes after cycling. Overall, the research found that consuming roughly 1 cup of wild blueberries daily for two weeks increases the ability to use/burn fat during moderate-intensity exercise, like cycling.
The amount of blueberries that is considered “too much” varies depending on individual health status and dietary needs. However, as a general guideline, it's recommended to consume no more than 1-2 cups of blueberries per day to avoid negative side effects.
Frozen fruits and veggies are cheaper because they are available to more people at any given time compared to the fresh ones that won't last long. So, the fresh fruits would be sold at a higher price to meet up the cost of harvesting and other expenses.
Frozen fruit is often softer and sweeter than fresh fruit. This is because the water in the fruit expands when it's frozen, making the cells burst, resulting in the release of the natural sugars.
A cupful of blueberries contains 14% of your dietary fiber. However, if you go overboard when munching on the delicious fruit, you can wind up with some gastrointestinal distress. It's generally safe to eat blueberries every day, though you should do so in moderation if you experience some stomach issues.
There is no specific time for eating blueberries. So, if you have a healthy snack recipe in mind, you can consume blueberries anytime. Adding blueberries to your smoothie is probably the healthiest way to enjoy blueberries.
Bananas: Towards the middle of the spectrum, one medium banana contains about 14 grams of sugar. Blueberries: A whole cup of blueberries contains 15 grams of sugar. Not bad, considering these berries are packed with antioxidants and fiber!
There are 84 calories in blueberries, 1 gram of protein, 21 grams of carbohydrates, and 0.5 grams of fat in a serving size of one cup (148 grams) of raw blueberries.
Strawberries also contain fewer carbs and sugar than blueberries, but blueberries have more fiber. A 1-cup serving of blueberries contains 21 grams of carbs, 14 grams of sugar and 4 grams of fiber. The same serving of fresh whole strawberries contains 11 grams of carbs, 7 grams of sugar and 3 grams of fiber.
Research shows that blueberries can dramatically improve gut bacteria. They are rich in prebiotics, which serves as a precursor to probiotics, contributing to healthy bacteria in the gut and colon. Furthermore, the potent anti-inflammatory properties found in blueberry can alter the gut bacteria, reduce inflammation.
Yes! Blueberries (as well as other types of fruits and berries) need to be washed to rid them of bacteria, dirt, small bugs and pesticides. Normally, we would advise not to wash berries until you're ready to eat them, to avoid the extra moisture that causes spoilage.