Blueberry is a superfood known for its "brain-friendly" and "heart-protective" properties. However, freezing it not only extends its shelf life but also makes the healing substances inside more accessible to our body.
According to Milli.Az, the reason frozen blueberries are more effective compared to fresh ones is based on a simple law of physics: ice crystals.
When the fruit freezes, the water inside crystallizes and breaks the cell walls.
This process allows the strong antioxidants (anthocyanins) that give the fruit its blue color to be released from inside the cells. Thus, when we eat the fruit, our body absorbs these antioxidants more easily.
There is a secret about the "fresh" blueberries you see on market shelves: they are harvested before becoming fully ripe to withstand transportation and shelf life. However, frozen fruits belong to a different category:
Fruits to be frozen are usually harvested at the most juicy, ripest stage and when their nutritional value is at its highest.
Since they are frozen immediately after harvest, their vitamin and mineral values are "locked in" at that moment.
Research conducted by Lohachoompol and his team shows that frozen blueberries maintain their anthocyanin content at the same level as fresh fruit even after 3 months. In fact, due to cell breakdown, in some measurements, antioxidant levels were found to be higher than in fresh fruit.
Points to keep in mind:
To prevent "freezer burn" in fruits left in the freezer for more than 2 months, it is essential to store them in airtight packages.
Frozen blueberries are usually cheaper than fresh ones and offer the same nutritional value regardless of the season.