Frozen Blueberries Better for You Than Fresh

**rmkicks** · 07-24-2014, 09:44 AM

Freezing the fruit boosts disease-fighting antioxidants, says new study.

by Annarose Colucci

Although blueberry season is upon us, frozen berries may be the way to go year-round. New research from South Dakota State University suggests that frozen blueberries deliver a bigger dose of disease-fighting antioxidants than fresh.
These antioxidants come from compounds called anthocyanins, which give blueberries their purple hue. The ice crystals that form when the berries are frozen disrupt the structure of the plant tissue and make anthocyanins more available.
Frozen or not, blueberries have one of the highest antioxidant capacities among all fruits and may boost memory, cardiovascular system, and eyesight. The fruit also encourages a process called authophagy, or cell clean-up.
When your cells age, damaged proteins and lipids collect inside them, releasing free radicals into the body, increasing your risk for disease, and hindering your ability to bounce back from illness. But another new study from the University of Florida suggests that the antioxidant resveratrol, found in blueberries, red grapes, and dark chocolate, can help jumpstart cells' "housekeeping" process when combined with a calorie-restricted diet.

**Clark Kent** · 07-24-2014, 12:48 PM

good stuff! Protein smoothie season is right around the corner for me!

**sensitivenips** · 07-24-2014, 02:16 PM

interesting, would like to see the study but i couldnt find it in the article. give it another 10 years and a new study will come out denouncing this one.

**studmuffin** · 07-24-2014, 05:02 PM

Great info. My wife will be glad when she reads this.

**jacjac** · 07-24-2014, 05:32 PM

That is going to be a good thread to show my wife who has the idea that anything frozen has zero value. I will grab some at Costco, wash in a solution of vinegar (which I do with all fruits/veggies) and vacuum seal them. I bet they are going to come out nice through the winter.

**bigsam** · 07-25-2014, 05:04 AM

Great read. I love blueberries.

**bigsam** · 07-25-2014, 05:06 AM

Originally Posted by jacjac

That is going to be a good thread to show my wife who has the idea that anything frozen has zero value. I will grab some at Costco, wash in a solution of vinegar (which I do with all fruits/veggies) and vacuum seal them. I bet they are going to come out nice through the winter.

Is that to make sure they are clean or some other reason? What's the solution?

**Rooroo** · 07-25-2014, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by studmuffin

Great info. My wife will be glad when she reads this.

Same here bro

my wife loves her frozen fruit!! I love it added to my protein shakes with Greek yogurt , fresh frozen spinach , oats , peanut butter , 2% milk 2 scoops protein powder and 5 ice cubes . Ok now I'm hungry

**jacjac** · 07-26-2014, 04:27 AM

Originally Posted by bigsam

Is that to make sure they are clean or some other reason? What's the solution?

Any fruit/ veggie that is shipped in plastic, but especially thin skinned berries etc. are fumigated, fungicided and many are forced into color or ripeness with chemicals. This may occur several times during transport or cold storage. The vinegar is supposed to help break down these residues when you wash them so you are not ingesting, as much of them anyway. You can see and feel that the "waxiness" is gone after the wash. What is also a visible side affect is that it also kills fungi and bacteria and your stuff will last in the fridge a lot longer.

Not trying to be Martha Stewart but I do the cooking in my house. So I wash everything out in 1/2 cup vinegar to a bowl of water, let it air dry on a towel on the counter then put it in the crisper on a kitchen towel and no other packaging. The towel seems to help control the humidity and stuff goes weeks rather then days. Plus I can see what I have.

The vacuum sealer keeps anything going into the freezer from oxidizing. I also put flower etc.. in mason jars and vacuum seal them to keep the bugs out. I was a single dad of 4 kids so I am a Costco shopper by habit even though it is just my new wife and I at home now.