Last Updated on September 7, 2022 by prince lucky
Even though you probably know raisins are healthy, you might not know exactly why they’re so good for you. If you’re unfamiliar with this delicious dried fruit, it’s time to take a second look at what raisins can do for your health and wellness goals—especially if you want to lower your risk of diabetes or heart disease or lose weight! Here are 10 surprising health benefits of raisins that will convince you to include these dried grapes in your diet more often.
1) Fights Inflammation
Uric acid is a natural antioxidant that raisins contain. Inflammation plays a key role in all major health conditions, including heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Raisins can help regulate uric acid levels to help reduce Inflammation and may have anti-inflammatory effects as well.
2) Reduces Risk of Heart Disease
Studies have shown that eating raisins regularly can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, which is America’s #1 killer. Eating raisins can help reduce blood pressure, which helps to lower one’s chance of getting a heart attack or stroke. Men should eat 9g of fiber daily, and women should eat 7g; raisins provide 8g per cup. The dietary fiber found in raisins removes cholesterol from your body.
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3) Prevents Bone Loss
A study published in Clinical Interventions in Aging found that people who eat raisins daily experience a decrease in bone loss and an increase in bone density. Eating dried fruit regularly can protect your bones from osteoporosis, a condition associated with older age.
4) Keeps Energy Levels Constant
During strenuous exercise, raisins contain carbohydrates that can help keep energy levels consistent. Keep a stash of them in your bag and reach for one when you start to feel tired or worn out. As a bonus, they’re a good source of fiber too. Other energy-boosting foods include walnuts, almonds, Greek yoghurt and natural peanut butter on whole-grain bread with banana slices.
5) Supports Brain Function
Research has shown that people who consume more flavonoids (like those found in raisins) have a lower risk of developing cognitive issues later in life. In one study, elderly adults with higher blood levels of flavonoids had less brain shrinkage and performed better on memory tests than those with lower levels. Thanks to their antioxidant content, raisins can help boost mental sharpness even for older folks.
6) Promotes Good Digestion
Did you know that raisins are a great source of fiber? fiber helps your digestive system, lowers cholesterol, and increases feelings of fullness. This means you can eat more raisins without feeling guilty! Plus, just one cup has 10% of your daily recommended intake, and that’s amazing! You’d have to eat five servings to get that same amount of fiber in something like an apple.
7) Helps Weight Loss
The high content of dietary fiber in raisins helps support healthy digestion, contributing to weight loss. A study published in a 2012 edition of the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition showed that people who ate a diet rich in whole-grain foods like raisins had lower body mass indexes than those who did not eat whole grains. Whole grains also contain B vitamins and potassium, both nutrients that may aid weight loss.
8) Improves Eye Health
Although raisins are not a fruit, they contain over 30% of your daily required vitamin A. Vitamin A helps keep your eyes healthy and prevents cataracts, glaucoma, and other problems. Raisins also contain vitamin K and beta-carotene (which converts to vitamin A in your body), so try to see if they help improve your eye health.
9) It Is Full of Antioxidants
Like other types of dark berries, raisins are a great source of antioxidants there’s about half as much in an ounce of raisins as in an apple. Antioxidants like these can help fight cancer, ward off heart disease and lower your risk for dementia.
10) Support the Immune System
While you might not think of raisins as a powerhouse food, they have tons of vitamin C, an important nutrient for supporting your immune system. Eating a handful of raisins before bed can help stave off colds, sniffles and other bugs. A diet high in vitamin C has also been shown to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk for heart disease.
Conclusion:
While raisins may not be a staple in many diets, they’re extremely beneficial to our health. They’re high in antioxidants, can help lower cholesterol and are even effective in weight loss. The next time you crave something sweet, think about eating a handful of raisins instead. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by their natural sweetness and multitude of health benefits.