Among the superfoods cultivated, blueberries are unique. This fruit is small in size, but significant in one’s health.
Blueberries contain nutritional value that helps your immune system, brain, and heart health.
Blueberries are often sold as fresh from the harvest or as a frozen product. So what’s the difference? The fresh and frozen blueberries are different.
This is not a marketing strategy at all. Blueberries that are sold fresh or frozen have different purposes.
In terms of health-wise choice, the debate between fresh and frozen blueberries is still active.
Let’s discuss the four reasons for the healthier option between the Fresh Blueberries vs. Frozen Blueberries.
Medically-Backed Benefits
Several research studies reveal that blueberries contain antioxidants. It helps the body in providing anti-inflammatory benefits, normal blood flow, and anti-aging for the brain.
The presence of antioxidants in every blueberry is different. Shelf life can also affect the retention of these antioxidants.
Fresh and frozen blueberries have different nutritional values after a few weeks or months.
For fresh blueberries, up to 50% of the antioxidants will be lost. This is after a few weeks when it’s picked. The light and air exposure can also affect the nutritional value of the blueberries.
The storage temperature of the fresh blueberries can also affect their nutritional value.
Meanwhile, the frozen blueberries can retain their antioxidant content for up to six months or longer. About 90 to 95% of its antioxidant contents are retained.
The freezing process also makes the nutrients easier for your body to absorb. Frozen blueberries have their nutritional value locked in during the process.
Eating frozen blueberries consistently can help improve your brain and heart health. Since it contains most of its antioxidant nutrients.
Shelf Life
Another aspect to know about the debate of fresh and frozen blueberries is the shelf life. The shelf life of each blueberry depends on where it was stored.
Fresh blueberries don’t stay fresh for too long. It can only stay fresh for a matter of days to a few weeks.
They will still lose their firmness and flavor in a few weeks. Even if you try to refrigerate the fresh blueberries.
The fresh blueberries are burdened by the long transportation and exposure to certain temperatures. Making their nutrients lose over time.
However, frozen blueberries are not affected by this problem. It retains the freshness of the blueberries for up to a year.
After they are harvested, the blueberries are already sent to cool storage. Making them be preserved in time.
In addition, this makes the frozen blueberries also retain their flavor for a long time.
The big difference between fresh and frozen blueberries is the purpose. Fresh blueberries are better for immediate consumption. The frozen blueberries are the better choice for healthier food preservation.
But be reminded that frozen blueberries are best thawed when it is about to be consumed.
Nutritional Value
The nutritional value of blueberries is the same. The problem with it is when it will still be available.
Blueberries contain nutritional values such as fiber, manganese, vitamin K, vitamin C, and antioxidants.
As discussed in the previous aspects, fresh blueberries can retain their nutritional value for days or weeks. Only 50-70% of their nutritional value remains. The slow reduction of the nutritional value is due to light sensitivity.
If you bought fresh blueberries, always remember to consume them right away to obtain their nutritional value.
On the other hand, the frozen blueberries can maintain their vitamins and antioxidants for months. Up to 95% of the blueberries are retained through freezing.
The freezing process makes the blueberries delicate. The frozen blueberries are more potent, so the body can easily obtain these nutrients effectively.
Always remember that the frozen blueberries are optimal for consumption due to their abundant nutritional value.
Sugar Content
The sugar content of the blueberries is similarly 10 grams per 100 grams. Whether the fruit is fresh or frozen.
However, sugar content retention and taste between the two are different.
Since fresh blueberries are at room temperature, they taste sweeter and juicier. No wonder its flavor is pleasant.
However, the taste of frozen blueberries seems to be sharp. It tastes sweet and slightly sour. A slight difference in sweetness due to the freezing process.
Even though frozen blueberries have slightly lost their sweetness, it doesn’t need any sweeteners.
The frozen fruit needs no sugar addition. Because its sweetness is natural for smoothies and baking recipes, like tarts.
Should you prefer the frozen blueberries to be sweet, add a yogurt or a banana to boost their flavor. Sugar additives are bad for your health.
Concise Comparison
As you can read, the frozen blueberries have 3 advantages over the fresh blueberries in the debate. This makes the frozen blueberries the healthier option to purchase.
On the other hand, fresh blueberries have a sugar content and taste experience advantage over the frozen ones. The natural juice of the blueberries can only be appreciated when it is freshly harvested or consumed.
Conclusion
Blueberries are one of the healthiest fruits to consume. It can help you a lot. Especially when it comes to lowering your blood pressure, improving memory, reducing inflammation, and protecting your heart.
This is why the fruit is considered a superfood. Due to its abundant nutritional value.
When it comes to food and nutrient preservation, frozen blueberries are a thing. The fresh blueberries are suitable for immediate consumption.
The next time you stop at the supermarket, buy both fresh and frozen blueberries for you and your family.
And take note, don’t buy blueberries with sugar additives in them. These are not natural, healthy blueberries.
Whether fresh or frozen, blueberries are sweet, healthy, and full of benefits.
Your health will thank you for taking care of it, especially if you add blueberries to your diet.