Many people believe that fresh fruits are always a better choice than frozen foods in terms of nutrition. However, for berries such as blueberries, strawberries or raspberries, freezing immediately after harvest can help preserve a large number of vitamins, antioxidants and important nutrients.
Ms. Chitra BK, Head of Nutrition Department at Krishna Medical Science Institute Hospital (KIMS), Bengaluru (India) said that frozen berries still retain almost all their nutritional value and are a suitable choice when fresh fruits are not available or the price is too high.
According to Ms. Chitra, most berries are frozen immediately after harvest. This process helps preserve many important nutrients such as vitamin C, fiber, antioxidants and polyphenols. Although some minor losses may occur during storage, the nutritional difference between fresh and frozen berries is generally negligible.
Another advantage of frozen berries is their longer shelf life, which helps reduce food waste and creates conditions for consumers to supplement nutritious fruits year-round. Freezing also does not significantly change the fiber content, an important component for digestive health, blood sugar control and maintaining feeling of fullness.
This assessment is reinforced by a study published in 2017 in the journal Food Composition and Analysis. The study compared the nutritional value of fruits and vegetables in fresh, frozen and refrigerated states.
Scientists have analyzed the nutrient content in blueberries and strawberries. The results show that frozen berries still retain many important vitamins at a level equivalent to fresh fruits.
Notably, the study also found that fresh fruits may lose some nutrients when stored in the refrigerator for many days after harvest. Meanwhile, freezing immediately after harvest helps retain a more stable vitamin content. This shows that frozen berries can completely be a nutritional choice no less than fresh fruits.
To maximize health benefits, Ms. Chitra recommends proper thawing before use or in combination with smoothies, yogurt, oats and snacks. Consumers should also avoid freezing and thawing many times because it can affect product quality.
In addition, consumers should prioritize pure frozen berries, without added sugar. According to experts, some products are added with sugar to enhance the flavor, causing the amount of sugar and energy in the diet to increase.
Frozen berries are a convenient and easy-to-preserve choice and still provide a large amount of vitamins, antioxidants and fiber. When used properly, they can become part of a healthy and balanced diet.
