Canned and frozen fruit provide winter nutrition.

• Position: Food - American Institute for Cancer Research - Brief Article

According to health experts at the American Institute for Cancer Research, it doesn't have to be fresh to be nutritious. The Institute recommends the use of frozen and canned fruits--as well as vegetables--during the winter months, when and where fresh produce may be in short supply. "Canned and frozen fruits offer not only great nutrition, but inexpensive and convenient ways to make sure we maximize the variety and servings needed to protect our health." emphasizes Melanie Polk, Director of Nutrition Education. "These fruits may need to be handled in special ways, but they can offer the same [or better] health benefits. Contrary to common opinion, frozen and canned fruits may be more nutritious than fresh fruit whose nutrients have diminished through shipping and long storage."

New technologies, like flash-freezing, trap nutrients and phytochemicals immediately after harvest while fruits are at their peak. Those substances could lose their potency through the long distances or severe conditions fresh fruit withstands during transportation to local markets or storage by retailers and consumers.

"Many nutrients, like vitamin C and folate," explains Polk, "are extremely sensitive to changes in temperature, light, and atmosphere." Fresh fruits and vegetables stored at room temperature for two or three days can...