Are Frozen Strawberries Healthy?

Fresh strawberries may sit around for a number of days before they are transported to your local supermarket to be purchased.  When a fruit is picked, it begins to lose some of its nutrients immediately. The health value of frozen strawberries depends on the type you choose. Unsweetened frozen products provide many of the same nutrients as fresh and their benefits are available year-round.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin that is also an antioxidant. Because it is an antioxidant, vitamin C prevents damage from free radicals, which can cause premature aging and diseases such as cancer and heart disease, according to Medline Plus. Vitamin C is necessary to form collagen, a collection of proteins that make up the skin, tendons and blood vessels. Vitamin C is also required in order for wounds to heal properly. Vitamin C is also required for the growth and repair of every tissue in the body, according to Medline Plus. Vitamin C is the most abundant nutrient found in frozen strawberries.

Sugar Concerns
One cup of unsweetened strawberries contains 10 g of naturally-occurring sugars. The natural sugar in unsweetened strawberries does not count toward this limit, but a serving of sweetened, frozen strawberries quickly puts you at, or over, your daily added sugar allotment. The same size serving of sweetened ones contains 47 g of sugar — amounting to over 9 teaspoons of added sugar per cup. The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar to 6 teaspoons per day for women and 9 teaspoons per day for men.

Manganese
Manganese is important in the development of bones and connective tissue and production of the hormones estrogen and testosterone. It is another nutrient contained in frozen strawberry. Manganese is an essential mineral, which means that it must be consumed in the diet and cannot be made by the body. It also activates the enzymes required for digestion and absorption, according to The Vitamins and Nutrition Center. Manganese is also an antioxidant and is crucial in the metabolism of vitamin E and some of the B vitamins. Blood sugar levels are also regulated by manganese, according to The Vitamins and Nutrition Center.

Fiber
Fiber is most commonly noted for its digestive system health benefits, such as regulation and intestinal health. Both sweetened and unsweetened strawberries provide 5 g of fiber per thawed cup. The Institute of Medicine recommends women consume at least 25 g of fiber daily and men 38 g.

Ivan Yang is the freelance writer for e-commerce website in the food industry. 21food.com is just a place for you to look for any delicious foods! Our 21food.com provide E-commerce business directory for importing & exporting of global food products, especially Chinese food products.

Leave a comment