Raisins are a much-loved fruit that has been enjoyed for centuries. They have many health benefits, including helping to lower cholesterol and triglycerides, reducing blood sugar levels, and fighting off cancer cells in the body. Let’s dig into some of these benefits in more detail so you can see just how great raisins can be for your overall health!
Raisins are full of antioxidants.
Antioxidants are good for you. They help fight free radicals in the body, which can cause damage to cells and DNA. Free radicals are natural byproducts of metabolism that can be toxic if not neutralized by antioxidants.
Raisins contain a significant amount of antioxidant compounds like phenols, flavonoids and anthocyanins (a type of pigment). These compounds have been shown to have anti-cancer properties in laboratory studies on animals or cells grown outside the body.
In addition to being full of antioxidants, raisins also contain high levels of fiber–another important factor when it comes to overall health!
They may help lower cholesterol and triglycerides.
Raisins are rich in dietary fiber, which helps lower cholesterol and triglycerides. High levels of these two risk factors can lead to heart disease.
Cholesterol is a type of fat found in foods and the body. It’s necessary for our health and well-being but too much can increase your risk for heart attacks or strokes. Triglycerides are another type of fat found in the body that can also cause plaque buildup in arteries when there’s too much circulating around your bloodstream at any given time
They help with weight loss.
Raisins are a great choice for weight loss because they’re low in calories, high in fiber and help you feel fuller for longer. They also help to stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce cravings for sweets.
They may improve heart health.
Did you know that raisins contain potassium, magnesium and B vitamins? Potassium is an important mineral for heart health because it helps regulate blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Potassium can also help prevent kidney stones, osteoporosis, fatigue and muscle weakness. Magnesium is another essential nutrient for good health–it plays a role in regulating blood pressure and keeping bones strong.
They may reduce blood sugar levels.
Raisins are a good source of dietary fiber, which helps keep you full and can also lower blood sugar levels. Dietary fiber is a type of carbohydrate that your body can’t digest. When you eat foods with dietary fiber, it passes through your digestive system without being absorbed into the bloodstream. This means that these foods do not raise blood sugar levels as quickly as other carbohydrates do; therefore, raisins may help control diabetes or prediabetes (1).
They contain more vitamins than other dried fruits.
Raisins are a good source of vitamins B1, B2, B3 and B6. They also contain more vitamins than other dried fruits.
- Vitamin B1 (thiamine) helps maintain normal mental function and plays an important role in energy metabolism
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is important for normal red blood cell formation as well as being involved in the production of DNA and RNA (the genetic material within cells). It’s also needed to make new cells
- Vitamin B3 (niacin) helps maintain healthy skin and eyesight; aids digestion; can help lower cholesterol levels when taken with statins
The nutrients in them help fight off cancer cells in the body.
Raisins are an excellent source of antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight cancer cells, reduce inflammation and prevent heart disease. They also play a role in immune system health by boosting the body’s ability to fight off infections, viruses and bacteria.
Raisins contain high levels of resveratrol–a powerful antioxidant that has been shown to help protect against many types of cancer including breast cancer, prostate cancer and colon cancer. According to research published in the Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry (JAFCC), this compound can slow down tumor growth when combined with nutrients such as vitamin C or E as well as other antioxidants found in raisins like quercetin or kaempferol [1].
Add some raisins to your diet today!
Raisins are a delicious, healthy snack that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. They’re also a great way to add fiber, iron and potassium to your diet!
Add them to your cereal in the morning or sprinkle them on yogurt for an afternoon pick-me-up. Add raisins to salads for some extra sweetness without all the extra calories of dressing. And if you’re looking for something sweet after dinner? Try adding some raisins into your ice cream–it’s delicious!
We hope that this article has helped you understand the many benefits of raisins. They are a great addition to any diet, and they can be eaten as is or added to other foods. We recommend trying out some new recipes with raisins in them!
