Exploring Raisin Health Benefits
Raisins, or dried grapes, are quite a versatile and nutritious food. Children love them as snacks and they are used in a lot of recipes, from fruit cakes to cookies and raisin pie. Raisins are also one of the primary ingredients in a lot of trail mix type snacks used by sports enthusiasts. Raisin health benefits are quite valuable, so let’s explore a few of them here.
Health Benefits of Raisins
Broadly speaking, the benefits of raisins include relief from fever, bowel problems such as constipation, anemia, acidosis, and sexual dysfunction. Raisin benefits also enhance bone, eye and tooth/oral health and are used for weight gain.
- Fever – raisins help cure fever because they contain Phenolic Phytonutrients which help fight bacterial and viral infections.
- Bowel Problems – because raisins are dried fruit, they absorb water while being digested, expanding the fiber and relieving constipation.
- Anemia – Rich in iron, raisins help maintain and even elevate blood iron levels, thereby relieving anemia. Full of B Vitamins and traces of copper, they also help in healthy blood and blood cell formation.
- Acidosis – Excess acid in the stomach can affect our bloodstreams (blood toxicity) and our respiratory system. The side effects of these problems can include getting boils, skin disease, gout or even heart disease and some cancers. Because raisins contain both potassium and magnesium, they help neutralize the excess acid, thereby keeping the body healthier.
- Sexual Dysfunction – Raisins contain Arginine which is known to stimulate sexual desire and help with erectile dysfunction.
- Bone Health – Boron, a micro nutrient, is found in raisins along with Calcium. Calcium favors healthy bones and bone growth and Boron makes the calcium more absorbable. Menopausal women need to be concerned with bone strength and density to avoid osteoporosis.
- Eye Health – Because raisins contain polyphenolic phytonutrients and 3 A Vitamins, they help protect eyes from damage and promote good ocular health.
- Tooth/Oral Health – Because raisins contain Oleanolic Acid they protect teeth against decay and cavities. They will also help prevent the growth of certain bacteria that cause cavities. Raisins are rich in calcium which will make teeth stronger. Did you know that if you keep the raisins on your teeth for an extended period of time, the Oleanolic Acid has an even better chance of improving your dental health? The Boron in raisins helps check the growth of germs in the mouth.
- Weight Gain – While physically active people use raisins as a snack and benefit from the energy, vitamins and minerals that they supply, those who need to gain weight can also use raisins. Raisins contain natural sugars and provide energy without negatively affecting cholesterol.
More Health Tips
Other raisins benefits include the presence of an antioxidant called Catechinis which is known to be effective in the prevention of tumors and colon cancer. The fiber in raisins helps the body excrete bile and burn cholesterol. Enabling the body to combat the build up of cholesterol, aids in maintaining good heart health. Raisin health benefits are many, but if you struggle with your weight, use them in moderation as you would anything else with a high sucrose or fructose content.
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Filed under: Diet Tips | Tagged with: benefits of raisins, health benefits of raisins, raisin benefits, raisins benefits, raisins health benefits