What’s healthier – fresh or frozen produce?
When it comes to fruits and vegetables, many people believe fresh is best. But is that true?
According to recent research out of the University of Georgia, both fresh and frozen fruits retain their nutrient content.
Researchers examined the nutrient content (specifically vitamin C, provitamin A and total folate) of eight fruits and vegetables including broccoli, spinach, blueberries and strawberries. The produce was categorized as either fresh, fresh-stored (refrigerated for five days) or frozen. The results were refreshing.
No remarkable difference in vitamin content was found between the fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, but the frozen produce retained nutrients better than fresh due to fact that the enzymes that spoil nutrients were frozen.
Dr. Emelie Ilarde, a family medicine physician at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Ill., says this is wonderful news.
“We can now prepare a quick, convenient dinner and know it’s packed with nutrients,” she says. Dr. Ilarde says frozen fruits and vegetables are just one more easy way to eat healthy.
The American Heart Association recommends aiming to consume 4-5 servings of fruits and 4-5 servings of vegetables each day.
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About the Author
Holly Brenza, health enews contributor, is a public affairs coordinator on the content team at Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago. In her free time, Holly enjoys reading, watching the White Sox and Blackhawks, playing with her dog, Bear and running her cats' Instagram account, @strangefurthings.
Good to know! I have to purée food for my wife on a regular basis. I use frozen banana, frozen berries, frozen mixed vegetables, and blend it with brown rice, cooked meat, or chicken, as well as fresh fruit. Subsequently, I add a little maple syrup, a little molasses, a little Cod liver oil, and a little olive oil. From my experience, and from professional observation, my wife’s gastrointestinal system works very well, and this is important, because she is a diagnosed celiac sprue patient. She also has Alzheimer’s, in the late stage. This is the main part of her regimen. I am glad to know she gets good nutrition from frozen vegetables, etc. Thank you.