10 Amazing Health Benefits of Raisins

by Avadhesh Sharma SEO Analyst

Raisins are a very common dry fruit when grapes are dried and sold. It grows in many regions all over the globe. It can be eaten raw or used in cooking, baking and brewing. Its quality depends on the type of grape that it is dried from. And raisins come in a variety of colours like green, black, brown, blue, purple and yellow. The brown variety is supplied by Brown Raisins Suppliers in India.

Processing

Generally, the raisins come from the Vinifera species and, the varieties of Thompson, Sugarcone, Calmeria, and Corinth are dried to give raisins. Raisins are either sundried or mechanically dried. Sometimes the whole bunch of grapes is left on the plant and vine-dried. Each raisin should not have a moisture content that is more than 16% of its weight when dry.

When the raisins are completely dried, they are stemmed, cap-stemmed, sorted and cleaned to acquire superior quality dried berries. In the wholesale marketing system, raisins are again processed and graded accordingly before being put up for sale. They are even exported and many Brown Raisins Exporters export them.

Varieties Of Raisins

There are many types of processed raisins like:

• Type I – Seedless

• Type II – Golden seedless

• Type III – Raisins with seeds

• Type IV – Sultana

• Type V – Zante currant

• Type VI – Mixed species or varieties of grapes

10 Amazing Health Benefits of Raisins

There are many astounding health benefits of raisins. They are:

1. Nutrient Rich: Just as dried apricots, figs and prunes are nutrient-loaded, so also, is the common raisin. It is a rich source of energy, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It has added health benefits of polyphenolics antioxidants, dietary fibres and other phytonutrients.

2. Antioxidant Strength: Its total antioxidant strength per 100 grams of the fruit is 3037 µmol Trolox Equivalents, while the fresh variety has 1118 µmol TE/100 grams.

3. Resveratrol: The phytochemical compound resveratrol, an antioxidant has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, blood cholesterol-reducing properties. It protects against cancers like melanoma, colon, and prostate. It even helps to fight against coronary heart diseases, degenerative nerve diseases, Alzheimer’s disease and viral & fungal infections.

4. Reduces Stroke: Consumption of grapes helps in the reduction of stroke by changing the cell molecular level in the blood vessels. It decreases the activity of angiotensin, a blood vessel constriction hormone. It increases the production of a vasodilatory substance, nitric oxide that relaxes and eases the blood vessels.

5. High on Anthocyanins: The red or purple varieties are high on anthocyanin, another antioxidant that has anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-cancer properties.

6. Reduces chances of many diseases: 100 grams of raisins provide 10% of the daily requirement of dietary fibres. It helps reduce body weight, cholesterol concentration, colon and breast cancer incidents. It helps against constipation with its high content of the flavonoid compounds like tartaric acid, tannins, catechins, inulin, and fibre.

7. Gluten-free: It is free from the protein gluten and can safely be consumed by people with gluten intolerance.

8. Rich source of minerals: Raisins are a rich source of calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium copper, fluoride and zinc.

9. Rich in heart-healthy electrolytes: Potassium is a healthy heart electrolyte that counteracts against the effects of sodium. It helps in the reduction of heart rate, blood pressure and prevents stroke and peripheral vascular diseases.

10. Good source of Vitamin B-complex: It is a very good source of Vitamin B complex vitamins like thiamin, pyridoxine, riboflavin and pantothenic acid.

How to Select It

Raisins that are full-bodied and fleshy should be selected and ones that are superior grade. The old stock should not be bought. When stored in airtight containers, they keep for a long time.