Peaches are seasonal fruits that are usually grown during summer.
Peaches ripen within a few weeks and are very easily damaged once they have ripened. Hence they need to be consumed within a few days when they are most fresh.
Hence, in order to enjoy sweet peaches all year round, the peaches are cooked and canned when they are ripe and sweet. This is a preservation method that has been used to preserve the fruit for ages, and it helps to keep the taste and quality of the fruit fresh for a few months if kept in proper condition.
Many people seem to question the nutritional value of canned peaches, as it is a common conception that cooking can break down the nutritional ingredients found in fresh fruit. So, are canned peaches just as nutritional as fresh peaches?
Are suitable for your diet? Is it rich in minerals and fiber?
Read on to know how much a nutrient is essential for your body before you consume canned peaches. Afterward, also check canned green beans nutrition facts and canned pears nutrition facts.
Fun Facts About Canned Peaches
One might think that canned peaches are less nutritious than fresh fruit, which is the case with most food products. But studies conducted by the Oregon State University have found that canned peaches pack more nutrients compared to fresh peaches.
This mainly happens because the process of canning, which involves poaching the fruit in its liquid, opens up the cell walls on the flesh of the fruit. This allows nutrients like Vitamin A to absorb much easily into our system.
Eating canned peaches regularly can provide you with at least five percent of your daily Vitamin C intake.
It was also concluded that canned peaches retained Vitamin C and Vitamin E much better than fresh peaches.
Another fact about canned peaches is that they can be stored easily for a long time and consumed over a period of a few months.
On the other hand, fresh peaches get spoiled quickly as soon as they ripen, hence fresh peaches need to be consumed within a few days before they spoil, after which the fruit is pretty much tasteless and useless, and consuming it may cause stomach problems.
Studies also show that canning and preserving does not reduce the nutritional value of peaches, rather Vitamin C was pretty much intact and similar to that of a fresh peach.
Nutritional Facts About Canned Peaches
A study published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture concluded that canned peaches which are found normally in stores or made at home as well have similar nutritional value as compared to fresh peaches.
Canned peaches have no saturated fat content, making them a good option for your diet if you are looking to lose weight. As a matter of fact, the total fat content is extremely minuscule, almost negligible. Low total fat content is an indicator that moderate consumption of canned peaches will not take care of your body's fat requirements
Although the researchers found slight changes in the nutritional value, most of them increase this value rather than decrease it in canned peaches.
Although the process of cooking or poaching peaches breaks down the dietary fiber in the fruit, the amount of nutrients canned peaches provide is nothing compared to a little reduction in dietary fiber.
Researchers found that canned peaches contain four times more Vitamin C in them than fresh peaches.
Other nutrients which were observed in more quantities than fresh peaches were Vitamin E, as canned peaches had a lot more Vitamin E. The levels of folic acid were ten times more in canned peaches compared to fresh peaches. Canned peaches also fulfills daily values of antioxidants, as they are 1.5 times higher than fresh peaches.
When it comes to carbs, canned peaches have around 0.90 oz (25.7 g) net carbs, 0.11 oz (3.3 g) in one cup and around 110 calories.
But if you are looking for intake of Vitamin D and Vitamin B12, then canned peaches will not be a good choice as the Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 content in them is 0%.
Harmful Facts About Canned Peaches
Although canned peaches are high in nutrients and vitamins, one needs to make sure about the type of canned peach they are buying. There are several food products in the market which are made from cooking peaches in sucrose syrup, in order to enhance the taste of peaches.
Added sugar gives a rise in saturated fats and sugars in the canned peaches. Canned peaches make a portion of healthy food from time to time, especially when they are not in season.
Normally, canned peaches are supposed to be packed in their own juice and not some sugary syrup used for other food types. Unnecessary amounts of sugars can give rise to cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels.
Hence, make sure you practice diligence while buying any canned food to avoid unhealthy amounts of sugar or any diet which goes against your health and needs. Avoid eating a whole can of canned peaches and consume them in moderation only and that too after washing under running water to get rid of excess sugar.
Facts About Canned Peaches' Preparation Process
Peaches are canned after cooking them, this process is called poaching, or blanching. Poaching or blanching involves heating and cooking the peaches until they release their own syrup and storing it in air-tight containers to preserve their freshness.
Heating peaches aids in deactivating certain enzymes which are present in the fresh fruit. These enzymes are responsible for degrading the nutritional value of the fruit itself.
Also, cooking peaches exposes them to oxygen, hence it is necessary to store peaches in a container that does not allow air to get to the concoction.
In the canning process, peaches are cooked only to a certain level which gets rid of the oxygen in them and it is quite different from regular cooking of vegetables or other foodstuffs. They turn orange due to the oxidation caused by the air in the jar.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 71 canned peaches nutrition facts: better than a fresh fruit? Find out then why not take a look at canned vegetables nutrition facts, or canned corn nutrition facts.
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Bachelor of Arts and Law specializing in Political Science and Intellectual Property Rights
Anusuya MukherjeeBachelor of Arts and Law specializing in Political Science and Intellectual Property Rights
With a wealth of international experience spanning Europe, Africa, North America, and the Middle East, Anusuya brings a unique perspective to her work as a Content Assistant and Content Updating Coordinator. She holds a law degree from India and has practiced law in India and Kuwait. Anusuya is a fan of rap music and enjoys a good cup of coffee in her free time. Currently, she is working on her novel, "Mr. Ivory Merchant".
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