Is it possible that fresh is not best?
According to a study conducted by Ronald Pegg, an associate professor of Food and Science at the University of Georgia, "some frozen fruits and vegetables (have) higher levels of vitamin A, vitamin C and of folates than fruits and vegetables that (have) been stored for five days." Pegg concluded that the lower levels of vitamins pertained to the respiring, aging and breaking down of the fresh produce over time. The stresses that the produce incurred in that time stripped them of their nutrient values. Frozen produce, on the other hand, is picked at its peak and "chilled" to avoid any additional maturation.
Before you raid the freezer at your local market however, you must know that frozen is not always the
"ice"-ing on the cake.
Despite the convenience of frozen produce, Pegg noted that people who ingest fresh produce prior to the conclusion of a 5 day "shelf life", which was honored in his study, reap the nutritional benefits of that particular fruit or vegetable.
As a suggestion to get the most "bang out of your blueberries," be mindful that locally sourced, fresh produce that is sold in season is always the best bet (when eaten timely, of course)! When that is not a feasible option, definitely go "fro" to meet your daily vitamin needs!
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