Here's news of practical use. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, AICR, freeze-dried fruits have almost the same antioxidant phytochemicals and nutritional value as fresh fruit. Freeze-dried fruit is lightweight, making it a portable food; has a longer shelf live than fresh fruit; and makes fruit available year round. Not to say that fresh fruit isn't a perfect food, but it is seasonal if you grow or buy it fresh, spoils quickly after picking; and is not as portable due to bulk and weight.

Gary Stoner, Ph.D., Professor and Chair of Environmental Health Sciences at Ohio State University, has been doing research on freeze-dried fruits, especially berries, and has reported study findings that suggest raspberries, strawberries and blueberries might offer cancer prevention.

In a recent conference, Dr. Stoner stated that he uses whole freeze-dried berries instead of extracts for the synergy of phytochemicals like ellagic acid, carotenoids, anthocyanins, vitamins C, E and folic acid that only whole foods can offer. Most of his studies are conducted using freeze-dried berries ground into a powder. Because our family lives in a seasonal climate with a distinct growing season, I really like the idea that I can store up freeze-dried fruits to provide both nutrition and cancer prevention during the non-growing seasons and eat well all year.