Health Benefits of Raisins

Raisins have been revered as a healthy snack for centuries as they contain just the right amount of sugar, vitamins, fiber, minerals, and antioxidants to curb a sweet tooth while offering plenty of health benefits.
Raisins are made from seedless grapes, which have been harvested and sun-dried to turn their skins into the gorgeous shades of caramel and brown that they’re known for. Being a great source of energy and nutrients, raisins are some of the best and most affordable health foods in the world and they’re perfectly suitable for all ages.
Below you’ll find 10 incredible health benefits of raisins.

 

1. Relieve Constipation

Raisins contain fiber which swells when eaten and absorbs the natural fluids present in the body. This adds bulk to any food moving through the intestinal tract, ultimately helping to provide relief from constipation. This type of fiber is known as insoluble fiber as it takes in water and gains volume in that way.

2. Promote Weight Gain
Raisins help people gain weight in a healthy way as they’re full of glucose and fructose. They form an ideal part of a diet for bodybuilders or athletes who need a powerful boost of energy, or for those who want to put on weight without accumulating unhealthy amounts of cholesterol.

3. Prevent Cancer

Raisins contain high levels of catechins that help to prevent cancer. These are polyphenolic antioxidants that destroy any free radicals in the body, which are one of the primary underlying causes of cancer growth. Furthermore, the fiber content of raisins help to promote excretion of bile from the body, thus flushing out any dangerous toxins that can cause cancer.
4. Reduces Hypertension
Studies have shown a positive correlation between reduced hypertension and consumption of raisins. Many of the nutrients found in raisins are beneficial, but experts believe that it’s the high level of potassium that helps reduce hypertension. Potassium is a well-researched mineral that helps to reduce the tension of blood vessels and decrease high blood pressure, and the dietary fiber is also thought to reduce the stiffness of blood vessels which, in turn, reduces hypertension.  

5. Dental Care

Oleanolic acid, one of the phytochemicals present in raisins, plays an important role in protecting your teeth from decay, cavities, and brittleness. This acid helps to prevent the growth of Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis, two of the bacterial species that are responsible for cavities. As strange as this might sound, when eating these dried fruits, let them stick to your teeth for a bit as this ensures an extended contact of oleanolic acid with your teeth. Furthermore, raisins are rich in calcium, which strengthens and demineralizes tooth enamel.

6. Heart Health
The high levels of fiber, potassium, phenolic acid, polyphenols, tannins, and antioxidants present in raisins help to burn cholesterol and lower blood pressure, promoting good cardiac health.

7. Controls Diabetes

In a number of studies, raisins have been shown to lower the postprandial insulin response, which means that they can stabilize the spikes or plunges of insulin after a meal that can be potentially dangerous to those with diabetes. They also help to regulate the release of ghrelin and leptin, which are the hormones that are responsible for telling the body when it’s full or hungry. By keeping a check on these hormones, people who eat raisins can improve their chances of maintaining a healthy diet and prevent overeating.

8. Treat Anemia
Raisins contain a lot of iron, which helps in the treatment of anemia. It also contains a lot of vitamin B which is essential for the formation of new blood. The high copper content also helps in the production of red blood cells.

9. Eye Health

Raisins contain antioxidant-rich polyphenolic phytonutrients, which are excellent for ocular health. They help to protect the eyes from the damage caused by free radicals, in the form of macular degeneration, cataracts, and age-related weakening of vision.

10. Reduces Arthritis Pain
Raisins constitute a natural source of antioxidants and polyphenols, which have strong anti-inflammatory properties. Gin-soaked golden raisins are a popular home remedy which helps to relieve chronic and arthritic pain. Anecdotal evidence suggests that people show an improvement in arthritic symptoms between 1-8 weeks of consuming ten of these drunken raisins each day.

11. Reduce Acidity:

Raisins contain potassium and magnesium in good levels. These help reduce acidity and help remove the toxins from the system, preventing diseases like arthritis, gout, kidney stones and heart diseases

12.Help Treat Infections:

Raisins contain polyphenolic phytonutrients, which are well known as anti-inflammatory antioxidants.  They exhibit antibacterial properties that help lower the risk of fever and kill the bacteria. Thus, having a few raisins a day can keep you safe from cold and other such infections.

13.Help Reduce Sexual Weakness:

Consumption of raisins is also good for your sex life. Raisins contain an amino acid named Arginine which increases libido and induces arousal. It is good for men and is used to treat erectile dysfunction.  Also, the added energy of the raisins helps your conjugal life. Remember the tradition in India where the new bride and groom are given a glass of milk boiled with raisins and saffron? This is an age-old practice that validates the effectiveness of raisins.

14.For Good Bones:

Raisins also contain good amounts of calcium which is good for bone health . They help you from arthritis and gout.

Raisins For The Skin:

Raisins are nutritious, give high energy and contain low-fat food. These help in keeping the skin healthy and beautiful. Following are some benefits of raisins for the skin:

1. Unlike topical creams, raisins protect the skin from inside by guarding the cells from any damage. They are packed with phenol, an antioxidant that prevents the free radicals from damaging the skin cells, collagen and elastin. This helps delay the appearance of the signs of aging like wrinkles, fine lines and blemishes.

2.The antioxidants in raisins speed up the skin repair system, plump out the skin and prevent it from damage. They also rejuvenate the skin cells and prevent sagging of the skin.

3.Raisins contain resveratrol, a substance which is highly beneficial for maintaining the health of the skin . It removes the toxic and black cells from the blood to purify the blood. It also helps improve the production of red cells in the body. This, in turn, makes the skin clear, shiny and nourished.

4.Blood toxicity, also known as acidosis, is a condition that increases the acidity in the body. This can lead to skin complications like boils, pimples and psoriasis. The high amounts of magnesium and potassium in raisins neutralizes the stomach acid. This helps cure acidosis and keeps the skin healthy and problem-free.

5.Consumption of black raisins accelerates the functions of the liver to detoxify the body . This helps flush out the toxins from the body to get a clean and glowing skin.

6.Raisins also help to protect the skin against sun damage. The phytochemicals in them protect our skin cells from the damage caused by the exposure to the sun. The amino acids in raisins boost skin renewal and form a protective barrier against sun damage. This is useful to prevent skin cancer .

7.The antioxidants in the raisins combat the free radicals in the body. This slows down the oxidation process and prevents the disintegration of the DNA of our skin.

8.Raisins contain vitamins A and E that help stimulate the development of new cells in the skin’s outer layers. They improve the hydration of the skin to make it supple and younger looking. Regular consumption of raisins also makes the skin glowing and beautiful .

Raisins For The Hair:

Raisins contain plenty of hair-friendly nutrients like vitamin B, iron, potassium, and antioxidants which are required for improving the condition of the hair. Some of the benefits of raisins for the hair include the following:

1.These tiny treats are packed with iron, a nutrient that is required for maintaining the health of the hair. A deficiency in iron can cause a dull and lifeless mane and severe hair loss. Iron improves the blood circulation in the body and stimulates the hair follicle cells. This makes the hair healthy and strong. So munch a handful of raisins daily to get your dose of iron.

2.Raisins contain a large amount of vitamin C which facilitates the absorption of minerals and provides nourishment. This helps maintain the natural colour of the hair.

3.Consuming a handful of raisins daily will strengthen the blood vessels. This, in turn, will reduce flakiness, dandruff and itchiness of the scalp. The resveratrol present in raisins inhibits scalp inflammation and cell deaths to prevent hair loss. Raisins also fight hair loss caused by environmental damage.

4.Consuming foods rich in antioxidants can prevent hair loss to a great extent. The antioxidants in raisins prevent hair damage by stimulating healthy hair follicles. They also promote healthy cells essential for hair growth.

5.Raisins contain several essential nutrients that promote the health of the hair. Vitamin C in raisins maintains the follicle’s connective tissue, also known as collagen. This promotes hair growth. Vitamin E further strengthens the cell membranes and prevents the free radicals from attacking the hair follicles.

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