Canned Food: Good or Bad?

Canned foods are often thought to be less nutritious than fresh or frozen foods.

Some people claim they contain harmful ingredients and should be avoided. Others say canned foods can be a part of a healthy diet.

This article explains everything you need to know about canned foods.
What is canned food?

Canning is a method of preserving foods for long periods by packing them in airtight containers.

Canning was first developed in the late 18th century as a way to provide a stable food source for soldiers and sailors at war.

The canning process can vary slightly by product, but there are three main steps. These include:

    Processing. Food is peeled, sliced, chopped, pitted, boned, shelled, or cooked.
    Sealing. The processed food is sealed in cans.
    Heating. Cans are heated to kill harmful bacteria and prevent spoilage.

This allows food to be shelf-stable and safe to eat for 1–5 years or longer.

Common canned foods include fruits, vegetables, beans, soups, meats, and seafood.

    Summary
    Canning is a method used to preserve foods for long periods. There are three main steps: processing, sealing, and heating.

How does canning affect nutrient levels?

Canned foods are often thought to be less nutritious than fresh or frozen foods, but research shows that this is not always true.

In fact, canning preserves most of a food's nutrients.

Protein, carbs, and fat are unaffected by the process. Most minerals and fat-soluble vitamins like vitamins A, D, E, and K are also retained.

As such, studies show that foods high in certain nutrients maintain their high nutrient levels after being canned .

Yet, since canning typically involves high heat, water-soluble vitamins like vitamins C and B can be damaged .

These vitamins are sensitive to heat and air in general, so they can also be lost during normal processing, cooking, and storage methods used at home.

However, while the canning process may damage certain vitamins, amounts of other healthy compounds may increase .

For example, tomatoes and corn release more antioxidants when heated, making canned varieties of these foods an even better source of antioxidants.

Changes in individual nutrient levels aside, canned foods are good sources of important vitamins and minerals.

In one study, people who ate 6 or more canned items per week had higher intakes of 17 essential nutrients, compared with those who ate 2 or fewer canned items per week .

    Summary
    Some nutrient levels may decrease as a result of the canning process, while others may increase. Overall, canned foods can provide nutrient levels comparable to those of their fresh or frozen counterparts.

Canned foods are affordable, convenient, and don't spoil easily
Canned foods are a convenient and practical way to add more nutrient-dense foods to your diet.

The availability of safe, quality foods is lacking in many parts of the world, and canning helps ensure people have access to a wide variety of foods throughout the year.

In fact, nearly any food can be found in a can today.

Also, since canned foods can be stored safely for several years and often involve minimal prep time, they're incredibly convenient.

What’s more, they tend to cost less than fresh products.

    Summary
    Canned foods are a convenient and affordable source of essential nutrients.

They may contain trace amounts of BPA

BPA (bisphenol-A) is a chemical that’s often used in food packaging, including cans.

Studies show that the BPA in canned food can migrate from the can's lining into the food it contains.

One study analyzed 78 canned foods and found BPA in over 90% of them. Furthermore, research has made it clear that eating canned food is a leading cause of BPA exposure.

In one study, participants who consumed 1 serving of canned soup daily for 5 days experienced more than a 1,000% increase in the levels of BPA in their urine .

Although the evidence is mixed, some human studies have linked BPA to health problems like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and male sexual dysfunction.

If you're trying to minimize your exposure to BPA, eating a lot of canned food is not the best idea.

    Summary
    Canned foods may contain BPA, a chemical that has been associated with health problems like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

They may contain deadly bacteria
While it's extremely rare, canned foods that weren't processed properly may contain dangerous bacteria known as Clostridium botulinum.

Consuming contaminated food can cause botulism, a serious illness that can lead to paralysis and death if left untreated.

Most cases of botulism come from foods that have not been canned properly at home. Botulism from commercially canned food is rare.

It's important to never eat from cans that are bulging, dented, cracked, or leaking.

    Summary
    Canned foods that weren't processed properly may contain deadly bacteria, but the risk of contamination is very low.

Some contain added salt, sugar, or preservatives
Salt, sugar, and preservatives are sometimes added during the canning process.

Some canned foods can be high in salt. While this does not pose a health risk for most people, it may be problematic for some, such as those with high blood pressure.

They may also contain added sugar, which can have harmful effects.

Excess sugar has been associated with an increased risk of many diseases, including obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.

A variety of other natural or chemical preservatives may be added as well.

    Summary
    Salt, sugar, or preservatives are sometimes added to canned foods to improve their flavor, texture, and appearance.

How to make the right choices

As with all foods, it's important to read the label and ingredient list.

If salt intake is a concern for you, choose the "low sodium" or "no salt added" option.

To avoid extra sugar, choose fruits that are canned in water or juice instead of syrup.

Draining and rinsing foods can also lower their salt and sugar contents.

Many canned foods do not contain any added ingredients at all, but the only way to know for sure is to read the ingredient list.

    Summary
    Not all canned foods are created equal. It’s important to read the label and ingredient list.

The bottom line

Canned foods can be a nutritious option when fresh foods aren't available.

They provide essential nutrients and are incredibly convenient.

That said, canned foods are also a significant source of BPA, which may cause health problems.

Canned foods can be a part of a healthy diet, but it's important to read labels and choose accordingly. 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

Canned Food: Good or Bad?

Canned foods are often thought to be less nutritious than fresh or frozen foods.

Some people claim they contain harmful ingredients and should be avoided. Others say canned foods can be a part of a healthy diet.

This article explains everything you need to know about canned foods.

What is canned food?

Canning is a method of preserving foods for long periods by packing them in airtight containers.

Canning was first developed in the late 18th century as a way to provide a stable food source for soldiers and sailors at war.

The canning process can vary slightly by product, but there are three main steps. These include:

    Processing. Food is peeled, sliced, chopped, pitted, boned, shelled, or cooked.
    Sealing. The processed food is sealed in cans.
    Heating. Cans are heated to kill harmful bacteria and prevent spoilage.

This allows food to be shelf-stable and safe to eat for 1–5 years or longer.

Common canned foods include fruits, vegetables, beans, soups, meats, and seafood.

    Summary
 Canning is a method used to preserve foods for long periods. There are three main steps: processing, sealing, and heating.

How does canning affect nutrient levels?

Canned foods are often thought to be less nutritious than fresh or frozen foods, but research shows that this is not always true.

In fact, canning preserves most of a food's nutrients.

Protein, carbs, and fat are unaffected by the process. Most minerals and fat-soluble vitamins like vitamins A, D, E, and K are also retained.

As such, studies show that foods high in certain nutrients maintain their high nutrient levels after being canned .

Yet, since canning typically involves high heat, water-soluble vitamins like vitamins C and B can be damaged .

These vitamins are sensitive to heat and air in general, so they can also be lost during normal processing, cooking, and storage methods used at home.

However, while the canning process may damage certain vitamins, amounts of other healthy compounds may increase .

For example, tomatoes and corn release more antioxidants when heated, making canned varieties of these foods an even better source of antioxidants .

Changes in individual nutrient levels aside, canned foods are good sources of important vitamins and minerals.

In one study, people who ate 6 or more canned items per week had higher intakes of 17 essential nutrients, compared with those who ate 2 or fewer canned items per week (9Trusted Source).

    Summary
 Some nutrient levels may decrease as a result of the canning process, while others may increase. Overall, canned foods can provide nutrient levels comparable to those of their fresh or frozen counterparts.

Canned foods are affordable, convenient, and don't spoil easily

Canned foods are a convenient and practical way to add more nutrient-dense foods to your diet.

The availability of safe, quality foods is lacking in many parts of the world, and canning helps ensure people have access to a wide variety of foods throughout the year.

In fact, nearly any food can be found in a can today.

Also, since canned foods can be stored safely for several years and often involve minimal prep time, they're incredibly convenient.

What’s more, they tend to cost less than fresh products.

    Summary
 Canned foods are a convenient and affordable source of essential nutrients.

They may contain trace amounts of BPA

BPA (bisphenol-A) is a chemical that’s often used in food packaging, including cans.

Studies show that the BPA in canned food can migrate from the can's lining into the food it contains.

One study analyzed 78 canned foods and found BPA in over 90% of them. Furthermore, research has made it clear that eating canned food is a leading cause of BPA exposure.

In one study, participants who consumed 1 serving of canned soup daily for 5 days experienced more than a 1,000% increase in the levels of BPA in their urine .

Although the evidence is mixed, some human studies have linked BPA to health problems like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and male sexual dysfunction .

If you're trying to minimize your exposure to BPA, eating a lot of canned food is not the best idea.

 Summary
 Canned foods may contain BPA, a chemical that has been associated with health problems like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

They may contain deadly bacteria

While it's extremely rare, canned foods that weren't processed properly may contain dangerous bacteria known as Clostridium botulinum.

Consuming contaminated food can cause botulism, a serious illness that can lead to paralysis and death if left untreated.

Most cases of botulism come from foods that have not been canned properly at home. Botulism from commercially canned food is rare.

It's important to never eat from cans that are bulging, dented, cracked, or leaking.

 Summary
Canned foods that weren't processed properly may contain deadly bacteria, but the risk of contamination is very low.

Some contain added salt, sugar, or preservatives

Salt, sugar, and preservatives are sometimes added during the canning process.

Some canned foods can be high in salt. While this does not pose a health risk for most people, it may be problematic for some, such as those with high blood pressure.

They may also contain added sugar, which can have harmful effects.

Excess sugar has been associated with an increased risk of many diseases, including obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes .

A variety of other natural or chemical preservatives may be added as well.

  Summary
 Salt, sugar, or preservatives are sometimes added to canned foods to improve their flavor, texture, and appearance.

How to make the right choices

As with all foods, it's important to read the label and ingredient list.

If salt intake is a concern for you, choose the "low sodium" or "no salt added" option.

To avoid extra sugar, choose fruits that are canned in water or juice instead of syrup.

Draining and rinsing foods can also lower their salt and sugar contents.

Many canned foods do not contain any added ingredients at all, but the only way to know for sure is to read the ingredient list.

 Summary
 Not all canned foods are created equal. It’s important to read the label and ingredient list.

The bottom line

Canned foods can be a nutritious option when fresh foods aren't available.

They provide essential nutrients and are incredibly convenient.

That said, canned foods are also a significant source of BPA, which may cause health problems.

Canned foods can be a part of a healthy diet, but it's important to read labels and choose accordingly.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     
https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement 

With Homegrown Menstrual Cups, This Duo is Helping Women Get Rid of Period Discomfort

As leading citizen activists of waste management, the problem of Bengaluru’s growing mountains of garbage was well-understood by  environmentalists.

For years, the two have been key members of citizen-led movements which aim to raise awareness about the city’s garbage problems and propose sustainable solutions, while also influencing urban waste management policy.

Several landmark legislations including household-level waste segregation and the expedited implementation of Karnataka’s ban on manufacture, sale and use of single-use plastics were made possible by the sustained efforts of these groups.

We realised that even after segregation, the volume of garbage was huge and a Herculean task for the authorities to manage,” say one of them.

This set into motion initiatives like Borrow-A-Bag implemented at the ward-level, to reduce the use of plastic carry bags by making reusable cloth bags easily accessible.

With the efforts of volunteers supported  and elected representatives, the programme effectively reached 20 wards in the city, which declared themselves plastic-free. It reduced plastic bag usage by up to 50 per cent,she says. Through community events, the groups demonstrated that it was possible to organise zero-waste celebrations on a large scale.

Also gaining steam was a citizen’s movement called ‘Green The Red’, which launched the Cup and Cloth Campaign, earlier this year, to raise awareness among urban and rural women about sustainable menstrual hygiene products, and promote their inclusion in government health schemes.

With these initiatives, the duo learnt that it was possible to change attitudes towards consumption and disposal on a large scale, just by showing that an alternative way was possible.

What was needed, however, was a consolidated platform—of solutions that were affordable and accessible to all. This turned them from activists into entrepreneurs.

They started StoneSoup in 2015. The name harks back to an old folk tale that encapsulates the collective contribution which goes into creating something of value. In it, a hungry traveller convinces the people of a town to each share an ingredient that goes into making a hearty soup to feed the village folk.
Today, StoneSoup offers a range of products and services—sustainable alternatives that replace daily use products—composting kits, natural cleaners, cloth diapers and cloth bags.

Their most popular offerings, however, are menstrual cups—a substitute for single-use pads and tampons, that are superior, both from the standpoint of women’s health and from an environmental perspective.

“We wanted to create an Indian brand of menstrual cups,” she explains.

The awareness sessions they were already conducting as advocates of ‘Green The Red’ gave them a wealth of data from actual and potential users.

“That really put us in a good place by giving us insights on how to design the product, market it, and address people’s concerns,” she says.

Their design is innovative and intuitive—no rim lines and stain-causing grooves; no vestigial parts like the stem—nothing that can confuse users. A StoneSoup cup is smooth and bell-shaped, with a few grip lines.

“We made a cup that was the smallest size—to fit most women, and changed the shape from a V to a U to increase the volume,” she says  about what makes the StoneSoup cups more functional.

With design done, the next step was to put these cups within the easy reach of Indian women. One obvious solution was to be visible on major e-commerce platforms and mainstream retail stores—places well-suited to Indian buying behaviour. StoneSoup is also working to make cups available in chemist shops.

The other was to change the packaging so that the cup looked less like a medical device and more like an accessory—compact, attractive, portable and premium.

Manufactured in Bengaluru, the cups are available in a range of firmness—from soft to hard—making them suitable for various body types, levels of physical activity and flow.

StoneSoup cup users include women who are athletes, cyclists, gymnasts, and frequent travellers. The cups are priced between Rs 550 and Rs 1,200 and can be used for up to ten years.

The benefits of cups are well known. They’re safer for women’s reproductive health than plastic pads whose chemical fragrances and absorbents have been linked to allergies, irritations and discomfort.

For civic agencies, a switch from disposables could make garbage management easier and more cost-effective by reducing the expenditure on transport, treatment and disposal, and eliminating such practices as open burning, burying and incineration, and the health hazards they pose.

Reusable menstrual care products have been steadily gaining popularity in India with a number of homegrown and foreign brands available in the market. “But,” she says  “a majority of women buy cups for environmental reasons.”

“We wanted to reach out to others who are doing it for convenience,” says one of them.

And cups do offer all the convenience of disposables, plus they’re safe, economical and durable.

StoneSoup sisterhood

As new entrepreneurs, the duo was keen to start a business that created livelihoods for women. As a first step, they tapped into – a network of citizen volunteers, who, as part of the Green The Red Movement, help women adopt sustainable menstruation practices through awareness sessions and demonstrations.

They also serve as resellers of these products and receive a portion of the margins. Leveraging the vast Saathi Network helps to reduce the adoption barrier, especially among women who want to understand usage patterns from existing users, and need hand-holding, once they become adopters.

StoneSoup cups are priced lowest with Saathis to reduce the price barrier, especially in rural areas and among the urban poor, says Malini. StoneSoup also organises large-scale cup donation drives with its basic variant—the Pratham cup.

The entrepreneurs say that all their efforts are focused on building a viable business that reduces garbage.
“But sustainable businesses are not ones that make billion dollars and then donate those billions to charity. We believe in giving along the way, without fighting to be the cheapest in the market,” says Smita.

StoneSoup’s cup-storage pouches come from the rural parts of South India and its period pride earrings are handmade by Dalit women artisans. The duo also supports and promotes NGOs and SHGs that manufacture other sustainable menstrual health solutions such as cloth pads.

The global menstrual cup market is expected to grow at 3.50% between 2018 and 2023, with India among the significant contributors. For now, however, the uptake of menstrual cups in the country is low due to a variety of reasons including taboos against insertables, high cost, and lack of awareness, especially in rural India, about the existence of these products.

Today, close to 50 per cent women aged 15-24 years in rural India and 77 per cent in urban India use locally prepared sanitary napkins and disposable menstrual hygiene products.

In a context where sewage and waste management infrastructure is rudimentary at best, the rise in non-biodegradable pads signals great health and environmental risks.

StoneSoup is attempting to change this narrative by showing that garbage need not only be managed by quick fixes, but it can also be reduced; that rashes, allergies and discomfort during periods need not just be treated, they can be done away with, for good.

“All we’re saying is that women have the right to alternatives so that they can choose what’s best for their health, environment and pocket,” the duo say.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                    PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                                                          FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                  https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/                               FOR CROCHET DESIGNS                                                                                                                                                                                                  https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com

 

New water-birth mirror for safer deliveries

Water births will now be safer and also convenient for midwives.

Scientists at Loughborough University in Britain have invented an illuminated, adjustable mirror that can be used under water when a baby is being born.

Experts say that giving birth in a water pool is an effective form of pain relief and helps many women feel in control during labour.

"We hope the device will help the midwives carry out their work in more comfortable conditions, and for future mothers-to-be to benefit from this device that allows them to experience a more dignifying labour," said Carmen Torres, senior lecturer at Loughborough's school of mechanical and manufacturing engineering.

The mirror, which has lights around its frame, is mounted securely on a flexible pole.
Its design makes it easier for midwives to see when a baby's head crowns.

Midwives currently have to bend over the side of a pool and with one hand hold a mirror under the water to look for the baby's head crowning, while shining a torch above with the other hand.

The new device could make having a water birth more pleasant and dignified for women, a university press release said.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.

PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO VIEW MY BLOG-

HTTP:GSEASYRECIPES.BLOGSPOT.COM/

FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-

HTTP://KNEE REPLACEMENT-STICK CLUB.BLOGSPOT.COM/

FOR CROCHET DESIGNS

HTTP://MY CROCHET CREATIONS.BLOGSPOT.COM