The more we process a food, the less nutrient value it retains. This is because living foods are organic foods. Processed foods, to various degrees, are inorganic or "dead" foods.
The following is the hierarchy of food preparation. We start at the top with no preparation, leaving the food with its full nutrient content. We end at the bottom with the most processing, rendering the food dead and useless to the body - little or no nutrient value retained:
Raw and Whole
Juiced and consumed immediately. Once the skin of fruits or vegetables is broken, oxygen combines with the enzymes and kills them. This process is called oxidation.
Dehydrated or Dried
Loses 2-5% of nutrient value
Dried without chemicals or additives
Commercial brands of dried fruit contain sulfur-dioxide; exception: raisins
Frozen
Freshly picked and frozen immediately
Loses 5-30% of nutrient value
Steamed
Loses 15 - 60% of nutrient value
Steamed means the green bean is still a bit crispy (if it's limp, its cooked)
Cooked
Baked, broiled, boiled, grilled, steamed too long, home canned
The green bean is limp
Loses 40 -100% of nutrient value, depending on how long it is cooked
Cooked Leftovers Microwaved
Loses 90 - 99% of nutrient value
Commercially Canned Foods
Fried Foods
Foods with Additives
These not only lose 100% of their nutrient value, but have toxins added to them.
Source: Dr. Joel Robbins, M.D., N.D., D.C., Ph.D. in BioChemistry, "Eating for Health and Wellness"
Until next time,
Eat Well. Live Well.
Nutrition doesn't have to be hard. That's why there's The Pops™ and ER Fat Burn™.
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In this case, the raw and organic foods are the best option for us, Paul!
I personally hated the canned and fried foods, as it's full with preservatives and additives.