Dried grapes or raisins- shrunken, brown tiny pieces that taste surprisingly sweet, in spite of the dry and wrinkled skin it exhibits. Talk about not judging a book by its cover, or never being deceived by looks! Raisins are enough to bring about a considerable development, when it comes to your health.
I have met people whom I would like to divide into – the raisin eaters and the raisin ditchers. Oh yes, the former are those who opt for fruit and nut variants when it comes to selecting chocolates, cakes, cookies and the like (that includes me); love to gorge upon them when hungry and whenever they hunt for dry fruits they make sure that raisins are there in their shopping bags, while getting back home. And then there are the ones who keep picking raisins off their platter, whenever possible. Yes they are the latter ones and they do exist. Be it fruit and nut chocolates or cookies, they just can’t stand them (I do wonder why). Before I forget, there are also people who prefer their dose of dry fruits in a particular way, for example, consuming them just the way they are rather than mixing them up in Kheer (sweetened milk pudding) or in muesli breakfasts.
But as one must be aware, dry fruits are great at providing the much needed energy and nutrients that over a period of time, help in strengthening the body and bringing about a change in one’s life ( of course, the situations and circumstances in life should also work in one’s favor).
Getting back to ‘raisins’, here are few reasons why the next time you head out, you could pack a handful of them to gorge upon later and be happy that you saved yourself by feeding yourself healthy stuff rather than junk food which you might regret later (while looking at the ‘tyres’ that seem to keep gathering themselves in your body):
Want to know why athletes and body builders often dig into a handful of raisins? It is because of the fact that due to the presence of carbs in it, especially natural sugars like glucose and fructose, they provide an instant energy boost, thereby allowing them to maintain their energy levels during workouts.
Rich in fibres that remove toxins and wastes from the gastrointestinal tract, raisins help in smooth digestion and also helps reduce constipation because of its mild laxative property.
It is loaded with iron, copper and vitamin B complex that go a long way in helping anaemic people by helping in the formation of red-blood cells or RBCs. It also facilitates hair growth and helps prevent balding. Want to know other sources of iron? Click here
The next time you injure yourself; do not forget to pop in some raisins as they promote blood clotting when a wound is healing. They also contain phytochemicals (known for their antioxidant, antibacterial and germicidal properties). When down with a fever, it helps fight viral and bacterial infections; thus aiding in quicker recovery. The antioxidants also help in maintaining healthy and glowing skin by delaying ageing.
The presence of potassium and magnesium (important components of antacids) in raisins help reduce acidity. So the next time you feel acidity raising its ugly head in your stomach, you know who will come to your rescue!
A phytochemical called oleanolic acid is present in raisins. Coming to its benefit (for the layman), it protects against tooth decay by keeping cavity-causing bacteria away. It also helps whiten teeth, giving you the confidence to smile and flaunt your teeth as well!
Raisins contain calcium which helps in maintaining bone health. It also contains a micro nutrient called boron which is essential in promoting bone formation and calcium absorption in the body.
It is especially said to be beneficial for women suffering from menopause induced osteoporosis.
Isn’t it amazing how relatively minuscule objects come packed with awe-inspiring properties? Your time to reach out for a packet of raisins is now. Go, grab it!
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Disclaimer: “Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint,” said Mark Twain. Moreover, some of the items mentioned in the article might not suit all. It is always better to know what suits you best and then go ahead with it. Similarly, when suffering from health disorders, do not hesitate to visit a physician. Drag yourself there because often, no web-search is as useful as a physician’s advice!
