Black Raisin
Black Raisin
Black Raisins also known as dried black grapes. The black raisins are generally used for many Indian deserts and Rice dishes and Kormas. Many Indian cooks prefer to use the golden raisins for some Indian sweets. They make a great low calorie snack and 2 tablespoons of black raisins can be used as one fruit serving. This kind is prepared by drying the fruit in full sun and results in a dark color.
Health Benefits of Dried Figs
Figs are often recommended to nourish and tone the intestines, they act as a natural laxative because of their high fibre content. The fibre they provide also has prebiotic properties, feeding the gut bacteria and promoting a healthy gut environment which as a result improves digestive wellness.
Figs, especially ripe ones, are rich in protective plant compounds called polyphenols. These compounds have protective antioxidant properties, this means they help prevent oxygen from reacting with other chemicals and causing damage to cells and tissues, by so doing they are key to managing oxidation.
Many of us consume too much sodium (salt), which is found in processed foods. High intakes of sodium can lead to deficiencies of potassium and this imbalance may lead to high blood pressure (hypertension). A diet rich in fruit and vegetables, including fresh figs, naturally increases potassium levels and is therefore encouraged to help manage blood pressure.
A study examining the specific effects of fig extract in animals showed reductions in blood pressure for those with normal as well as hypertensive readings.
Figs are a good source of bone-friendly minerals including calcium,magnesium and phosphorus. Figs are especially rich in calcium with some studies suggesting they contain 3.2 times more than other fruits.
Being a good source of potassium may help to counteract the urinary excretion of calcium, caused by a high salt diet. This in turn helps to keep calcium in bones and as a result may lessen the risk of osteoporosis.
Naturally high in dietary fibre and packed with vitamins and minerals, figs may be a useful dietary inclusion to improve the nutritional density of your diet and in turn help with weight management. High fibre foods provide feelings of fullness and can reduce hunger and cravings whilst key nutrients improve blood management.
Health Benefits of Black Raisin
Flawless skin is something that each and every girl desires. But it often becomes hard for us to keep our blood free from toxins, waste materials and a number of other impurities, which eventually result in dry, acne-prone, unattractive facial skin. Here in comes the importance of black raisins. Being an excellent source of natural antioxidants, they accelerate the functions of the liver and the kidney. Furthermore, they eliminate damaging free radicals from our body and detoxify it completely. All these are helpful for getting clean and clear skin.
You can put a stop to the untimely greying of your hair by incorporating black raisins in your daily diet. They are not only full of iron, but also contain a large amount of Vitamin C that facilitates the fast absorption of the mineral and provides proper nourishment to the hair. Therefore, consuming black raisins is very helpful for keeping up the health as well as natural color of our hair.
Black raisins contain no cholesterol. Rather, it helps curb the adverse effects of Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL) or so called ‘bad’ cholesterol found in our body. Researchers have proved that black raisins comprise lots of soluble fiber, which is basically an anti-cholesterol compound. It transfers LDL from our bloodstream to our liver and facilitates its elimination from our body. Polyphenols, the special class of organic antioxidant present in black raisins, also help in bringing the levels of cholesterol down in our body by restraining various cholesterol-absorbing enzymes.
Dried apricots are a rich source of Potassium, a mineral linked with promoting healthy blood pressure. You can expect to consume around 259mg of potassium for every 3.5 ounces of apricots (approximately half a cup of fruits).
A research study conducted in 2013 showed high-quality evidence that consuming potassium may reduce high blood pressure in individuals suffering from hypertension. The study further suggested that a higher intake of potassium was linked to a 24 percent reduction in the risk of stroke.
Apricots contain many antioxidants, which include beta carotene and other vitamins with antioxidant properties. Apricots also contain flavonoids, which is a group of antioxidants potentially linked with positive effects on illnesses such as heart diseases and diabetes.
Flavonoids work by neutralizing free radicals in our bodies, which are responsible for causing oxidative stress and damaging our cells. Additionally, consuming flavonoids may help lower inflammation. A 2015 study found growing evidence that flavonoids may have an anti-inflammatory effect in relation to certain chronic diseases.
