CANNED FOOD AND ITS EFFECTS
Canning is the process involved in the preservation of foods and vegetables to increase the shelf life of such food for about 1 to 5 years which include storage of such food in an airtight container or jar. Many food and fruits can be canned ranging from salmon, to tomatoes and to sardines to mention a few. The canned foods which are generally believed to be less nutritious compared to fresh foods are originally made for military personnels and sailors who spend days and even months in war zones. The process of canning includes the following processes, which involves peeling, chopping, deboning and others.During the sealing process,the processed food is canned while the heating process takes the last stage which help kill the bacterias in the food and also helps prevent the food from spoiling.
Contrary to the belief, that the canned food are less nutritious compared to the fresh and frozen food counterpart, research has proven that this is not always true as many of the nutrients are conserved but water soluble vitamins like B and C are lost due to heating process of the canning. These vitamins are lost normally even during cooking, storage of fresh foods, this can be attributed to the fact that water soluble vitamins are heat resistant, that is, they are easily destroyed by heat. So no much reason here to ditch the canned food. People who feed on canned foods most of the time do so because it’s affordable, convienient and doesn’t spoil easily. Isn’t that the truth?
Now, the lining of a container containing the canned food is made of a material containing BPA which is an acronym for Bisphenol-A which in due time finds its way into the food components in the can, and some human Studies have shown that the BPA used in coating the lining of the interior part of the can which helps to prevent the interaction between the food and the iron component of the can and the fact that the food is processed can be linked to the cause of some health problems like male sexual dysfunction, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. So if you are at the risk of getting a diabetes, canned food is not the best for you.
Canned food can also contain bacterias. You know how? When a canned food is not properly processed which is very unusual and when the can is leaking at one point or the other thereby leading to introduction of bacterias like Clostridium botulinum. This is a bacteria causing bolutism which results into paralysis and death of the person if not treated. Now you see the reason why it’s not good to buy canned food that is leaking in whatever way. Safeguard yourself, prolong your days, stay healthy and stay safe.
It is needful to also point out at this juncture that canned food are believed to contain high content of salt and sugar. These are actually added( although some have low-sugar content and low salt content too) along side preservatives as the case may be to prolong the shelf life of the canned product. As much as the high content of salt might not pose risk to most people it is important to strike the chord in my esteemed reader’s hearing that it may be problematic for people with high blood pressure. So be ware of what you eat. Likewise the sugar, high content level of simple sugar in whatever we take in can be linked to many diseases including obesity and diabetes.The chemicals used to preserve and process the canned food are not safe for our health too, for example, nitrate used in preserving hot dog which gives it the pinkish colour may trigger the growth of abnormal cells in the body, that means you’re exposing your body cells and tissues to the development od cancerous cells.
The bottom line of this exposition is that as much as it is possible or lies within you ensure you feed on fresh foods and that’s what we advocate at Nourish Well Africa. If you are left with the choice of picking between a fresh food and a canned one, I’ll implore you to go for the fresh food, you don’t have anything to loose by feeding on fresh food but you might be exposed to risk associated to BPA and also exposure to bacteria as a result of under processed food( which is not the case most times) and the bacteria gotten from the food due to leakage from the can. Ensure you read the labels of whatever canned food and make decisions on what canned food to feed on that won’t lead you to having health complications. As much as you have the choice, vote for fresh food and you won’t regret your choice. Remember, Health is Wealth, till I come your way next time, stay home stay safe.
Feel free to talk to us at Nourish-Well Africa about your Health, we want to hear from you. Peace. Stay safe.
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