The REAL Truth About Canned Food

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted March 3, 2021

Dear Living Well Daily Reader,

When the COVID-19 lockdown hit our town, my wife and I rushed to Costco to pick up supplies.

Into our cart went toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies, and, of course, canned food.

Here we are a year later… and sure enough, some of those cans are still in the pantry!

And while you might think I’m just going to toss or donate them, that’s far from the truth.

Because canned foods can actually be GOOD for you.

But you have to know which type to buy.

We often think canned foods are less nutritious then fresh or frozen foods because of how they are processed.

After all, who wants to open a can of grayish mushy peas, when you could have fresh or freshly-frozen?

Well you see, the truth isn’t so straightforward.

Research has found that certain canned foods have more antioxidants—molecules that SLOW DOWN the aging process—than fresh versions.

 But not only that, another study showed that those who ate canned fruits and vegetables six or more times a week had a higher intake of 17 more nutrients than those who ate canned foods less than twice a week.

Plus, those who ate more canned foods also had better fiber intake, which lowers your colon cancer risk.

Canned foods can have these effects because certain macronutrients like protein, carbohydrates, and some essential vitamins and minerals don’t break down in the canning process.

So what’s the catch? (There’s always a catch.)

Water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C and vitamin B can be damaged in the canning process.

This is a problem because these are some of the most important vitamins in our diets. In other words, if you’re relying purely on canned food for your fruits and veggies, you could be facing a huge nutrient deficiency.

Additionally, some cans have plastic liners that contain BPA – a chemical that’s linked to cancer, diabetes, and other chronic diseases (you can read more about it here).

This means that if you want to get the MOST out of your canned foods, you need to do two things:

1. Buy canned foods with BPA-free liners.
2. Eat canned foods as a part of a diet rich with fresh fruits and veggies.

P.S. Did you know that canned food could also shorten your life? Click here to find out more.

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

View More By Dr. Scott Olson, ND