Frozen vs Fresh Blueberries: Is it Worth Paying Extra?

About this Video

• Video Title: Frozen vs Fresh Blueberries: Is it Worth Paying Extra?
• Channel: Mic the Vegan
• Speakers: Mike
• Duration: 00:12:19

Introduction

This video investigates whether buying fresh blueberries is worth the extra cost compared to frozen blueberries, focusing on antioxidant content and health benefits. Mike, the speaker, examines various research studies, including those on dried blueberries and blueberry protein bars, to determine which option provides the most nutritional value.

Key Takeaways

• Frozen blueberries often have higher anthocyanin concentration than fresh blueberries: A study showed frozen blueberries had higher antioxidant levels than fresh ones after a certain period of freezing, likely due to ice crystals breaking open cell structures.
• Freezing blueberries preserves antioxidants better than refrigeration: Refrigerated fresh blueberries lost about 20% of their antioxidant content within two weeks, while frozen blueberries showed only a slight increase or no significant difference after one or three months.
• Dried blueberries lose a significant portion of their antioxidants: Drying methods drastically reduce the antioxidant content of blueberries; freeze drying and air drying resulted in more than 50% loss, while convection drying had less than a 10% loss.
• The body absorbs only a small percentage of intact antioxidants from blueberries, but metabolites retain antioxidant properties: While only 1-5% of intact antioxidants are absorbed, breakdown products (metabolites) are still potent antioxidants.
• Adding bananas to smoothies might not destroy all blueberry antioxidants: While bananas contain polyphenol oxidase, which can degrade polyphenols, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) present in blueberries, and possibly other additions, may counteract this effect.