Eat Me: 8 reasons to relish raisins

Raisins are basically dried grapes which turn into golden, green or black gems when sun-dried.

They are a rich and concentrated source of energy, vitamins, electrolytes, and minerals.

Here is how they can be beneficial to your health.

Constipation

When ingested, raisins will begin to swell due to the body’s natural fluids.

This adds bulk to the food moving through the intestinal tract and ultimately helps provide relief from constipation.

Weight gain

Raisins, like all dried fruits, are very good tools for gaining weight in a healthy way, since they are full of fructose and glucose and contain a lot of potential energy.

Cancer prevention

Raisins have high levels of catechins, which are polyphenolic antioxidants in the blood. Antioxidants scavenge the free radicals that float around the body and wreak havoc on the organ systems and cells.

Hypertension

For several years, many believed that raisins had the power to reduce blood pressure and protect the integrity of heart health, but it was only recently that experts began intensive studies on these claims.

The findings, although still not absolutely definitive on how raisins reduced blood pressure, did show a positive correlation between reduced hypertension and consumption of raisins.

Diabetes

In a number of studies, raisins have been shown to lower the postprandial insulin response, which means that after eating a meal, raisins can help the spikes or plunges in insulin levels that is potentially dangerous to patients with diabetes.

Anemia

Raisins contain a considerable amount of iron which directly helps in the treatment of anemia.

It also contains many members of the vitamin B complex that are essential for the formation of new blood. The high copper content in raisins also helps the formation of red blood cells.

Fever

Phenolic Phytonutrients, well known for their germicidal, antibiotic and antioxidant properties, are abundantly present in raisins and can help cure fevers by fighting viral and bacterial infections.

Eye care

These phytonutrients are also very good for ocular health, as they protect the eyes from the damage caused by free radicals (oxidants).