Five Dried Fruits and Theirs Undeniable Health Benefits
Here is my five favorite dried fruits. What are yours?
We all know that fruits and vegetables are good for us, especially fresh ones, and when they are in season. However, dried fruits have theirs own indisputable health benefits, too. There are many delicious dried fruits out there, and you can find five of my favorites below.
Raisins
Raisins are one of nature’s sweet treats. They provide 70% pure fructose, fat free, cholesterol free, low in sodium, and supply a good source of fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, iron, potassium, and calcium.
Raisins are said to help with bone density, healthy gums and teeth. The key ingredient in raisins is phytonutrients, mainly olenolic acid, protect from gum disease, and cavities. They are also beneficial for your eye sight just as carrots. Use raisins in your oatmeal, or sprinkle on your salad, or in your cooking and baking.
Apricots
Apricots are full of dietary fiber and beta-carotene, as well as supply a great source of vitamin A, C, magnesium, iron, calcium, phosphorus, silicon, and potassium. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant found in apricots.
According to the American Cancer Society, apricots and other foods that are rich in carotenes may lower the risk of cancers in the larynx, esophagus, and lungs. Just five dried apricots give you 36 percent of the daily value for vitamin A.
If you are sensitive to sulfites, which are used to preserve bright orange color of apricots, buy dried organic apricots instead, since federal law prohibits the use of preservative in organic foods.
Dates
Although dried dates are higher in calories than fresh ones, dates are loaded with iron, fiber, iron, niacin, potassium, vitamin A, B, calcium, phosphorous, and copper.
They are used to help with constipation, anemia, fatigue, and also a preventive to abdominal cancer.
Cranberries
Cranberries contain powerful antioxidants, which can cut bad cholesterol, and help fight infection. Cranberry juice helps clean the urinary tract, and may prevent tumors from growing quickly. Dried cranberries can be served in oatmeal, cereal, and salad, as well as baking.
Just one-half cup of dried cranberries provides about 13 milligrams of vitamin C, and 4 grams of fiber.
Prunes
Prunes are a good source of fiber, vitamin A, potassium, and copper. They can also help with weight loss and normal blood sugar levels. Just a quarter-cup of prunes give you 16.9 percent of daily value for vitamin A, in the form of beta-carotene.
Beta-carotene has been shown in studies to shut down free radicals, and prevent a variety of diseases such as atherosclerosis, colon cancer, and reduced inflammatory in asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
For those that like to know more or resources, please check out MSNBC health section, The World’s Healthiest Foods, WebMD, CanadianLiving, and many other websites.
Liked it
jhenz | Oct 22, 2008 | Reply
what i really liked the most is dried mangoe, which you haven’t mentioned, but it’s ok.
what i liked among the ones you’ve mentioned is the raisins and prunes.
thanks for the info! and more power on your articles.
valli | Oct 22, 2008 | Reply
I like raisins and dates. Thanks for sharing the health benefits.
Emily James | Oct 22, 2008 | Reply
Unfortunately, although dried fruits are undeniably yummy & healthy, I tend to only buy them for our animals. Perhaps it’s about time I began to actually eat some myself?
Emily James
Melody Arcamo Lagrimas | Oct 22, 2008 | Reply
Very well-researched and informative. I love raisins.
MMV Abad | Oct 22, 2008 | Reply
Delicious! Especially the raisins!
swapna | Oct 22, 2008 | Reply
i love raisins and dates….most delicious fruits….
Christine ramsay | Oct 22, 2008 | Reply
Very informative. I have raisins on everything. I love them. Good article
eddiego65 | Oct 22, 2008 | Reply
Yum yum! my favorites are raisins and apricots. Thanks for the very informative article.
CHAN LEE PENG | Oct 22, 2008 | Reply
Wow, yummy, I wanna to have a bite! Take care, sister!
Eden Emersen | Oct 22, 2008 | Reply
You always have such great pictures and information; great work!
goodselfme | Oct 22, 2008 | Reply
Great info on all along with nice pics too.
Allison West | Oct 22, 2008 | Reply
I agree-you always have such great informative articles! You are one of my Triond favorites. I really love the nice photos you have here as well as your writing. Take care, Allison
anonymous | Oct 22, 2008 | Reply
you just made me hungry, just the images did…
C A Johnson | Oct 22, 2008 | Reply
Great article, BC. I like raisins and I drink cranberry juice sometimes. I learned a lot from your article. Thanks so much for sharing it.
Lauren Axelrod | Oct 22, 2008 | Reply
Great article BC. I use all of these on salads and cereal for a great source of fiber.
Chris Stonecipher | Oct 22, 2008 | Reply
BC,
Great article! I love raisins and cranberries. I like to put them in oatmeal for breakfast.
take care,
Chris
C. Jordan | Oct 22, 2008 | Reply
Can’t resist reading a fruity article. Very informative BC
RJ Chamberlain | Oct 23, 2008 | Reply
They all taste great but they all look terrible. Weel done BC
Heart Stone | Oct 23, 2008 | Reply
A very interesting and helpful article.
Nain | Oct 23, 2008 | Reply
Very informative.Prunes are also good for constipation.Have you ever noticed the whitish powder on dried figs? It really bothers me to what that is? Any idea?
Geri | Oct 23, 2008 | Reply
Very informative and interesting thanks Geri
ScrewLuK | Oct 23, 2008 | Reply
Good Article, but i hate how they look
can you check out mines please
http://www.authspot.com/Short-Stories/The-Fall-of-Quagmire.309261
gabbic1219 | Oct 23, 2008 | Reply
i have all of these in my home except the dried apricot,i like them also…we love rasains and prunes help the digestive tract,plus my kids and i love 100% cranberry juice,great article!
quiet voice | Oct 23, 2008 | Reply
….Hi BC, Your articles are always so full
of great information. Thank you. Take care.
Judy Sheldon | Oct 24, 2008 | Reply
BC, thank you for sharing such wonderful information and lovely pictures. I see you share my love for the Worlds Healthiest Foods too.
GemSandee | Nov 1, 2008 | Reply
I love your post! These fruits are very effective for our bodies.
Jack Rodnessy | Nov 1, 2008 | Reply
Excellent, a very interesting article on great foods.
miragana | Nov 3, 2008 | Reply
Good day!
It is very informative and has a very good quality in it.
I like it…
mliragana.blogspot.com
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Thank you very much for your time.
Karelee | Nov 5, 2008 | Reply
Love the article… dried fruit is an easy way to get kids and people on the go to eat something that is not only quick but while tasting good is also good for you. Very informative and right to the point without becoming distracting… I enjoyed reading it. Keep up the good work.
Karelee
Brian Daniel Stankich | Nov 13, 2008 | Reply
Good topic and pictures. I only wish some of these like apricots were less expensive.
Liane Schmidt | Nov 21, 2008 | Reply
Good stuff – I love raisins!
Blessings.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
M J katz | Nov 22, 2008 | Reply
Now I’m hungry. I love all the fruits you mentioned plus just about every other fruit that exists. The information you gave was well-researched and invaluable. Great article!
trishia | Dec 23, 2008 | Reply
I could literally taste the fruit! Great pictures,valuable information.
Jack | May 19, 2009 | Reply
What an excellent article. Thank you. I love raisins so much. It’s a shame cranberries and blueberries by comparison are a lot more expensive, as they are so good for you and so delicious as well!
Chickky | Jul 13, 2009 | Reply
You can get sooo many dried fruits at Trader Joes, and you can usually find inexpensive dried fruit at Grocerie Outlet