Canned Peaches Can Be More Nutritious Than Fresh

Fresh fruit might seem superior, but a study published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture found that canned peaches pack a more powerful nutritional punch than fresh. Researchers discovered almost four times more vitamin C in canned peaches compared to fresh, along with comparable levels of vitamin E and much higher folate. The canning process opens the cell walls of the fruit's flesh, making nutrients more readily available to our bodies. It is the same reason tomato sauce often has higher levels of lycopene than fresh tomatoes. Of course, the key is choosing peaches packed in their own juice rather than syrup. Canned peaches are picked and packed at peak ripeness, meaning they are nutritionally mature when preserved. So while fresh peach season is short and the fruit can be expensive or disappointing when not perfectly ripe, the canned alternative offers consistent nutrition year-round.