You might have noticed that the flavor and texture of canned fruit is often different from that of fresh fruit; but does that indicate a difference in nutritional value between the two?

Fresh Fruits

Fresh Fruits such as Oranges, Apples and Bananas are a rich source of Nutrients such as Vitamins, Minerals, Fiber and Carbohydrates. Citrus Fruits are an excellent source of Vitamin C which aid in strengthening the immune system. The fiber present in fruits is also essential for efficient digestion and healthy bowel movement. However, a drawback of fresh fruit is that some fruits are seasonal and may not be available throughout the year for example Mangoes. Another drawback is that fresh fruits start to decay as soon as they are picked. As the fruit starts to decay it starts losing its nutritional value, the taste may also change somewhat.

Canned Fruits

The canning process is a hygienic and easy one. It involves dipping fruits first in hot water then in cold water; this step helps to soften the fruit. However, exposing the fruit to hot water may cause the fruit to lose some of its nutritional value. Besides that, the amount of nutrients present in canned fruits are exactly the same as Fresh fruit, this means that the essential nutrients are still present in canned fruits. The decomposition process stops as soon as the fruit is canned, this gives the fruit a longer shelf life, and generally healthy canned fruit has a shelf life of 2 years.

The benefits of canned fruits are that they are available round the year, which can be very convenient. You can enjoy a can of mangoes whenever you feel like having it! You don’t even have to keep canned fruit refrigerated; this makes life easier for a lot of people. 
As for the taste and texture, this is one compromise that you have to make if you are choosing canned fruits over fresh fruits. However, the soft texture of healthy canned fruit is not all bad; it can actually be beneficial for individuals following a bland diet. Individuals who have problems digesting fresh fruits may find it easier to digest healthy canned fruits.

However, one thing to take care of is that companies often add extra sugar or syrup to canned fruit. This means that the amount of calories present in canned fruits may be higher as compared to fresh fruit. This is the second disadvantage of canned fruits aside from the taste.

Conclusion

When we are talking about nutrients, canned fruits are also a rich source of nutrients like fresh fruits. So if you are willing to compromise on the taste and texture then eating canned fruits can be as beneficial as eating fresh fruits. As far as the added sugar is concerned, it is important that you should read the label before buying healthy canned fruits, find out whether there is any added sugar or not.