Raisins

Raisin translated from Turkish means “grape”. Before moving on to the useful properties of raisins, let’s first consider what they are.

There are 4 main types of raisins – light and small seedless from the white and green grape varieties, dark blue also seedless, with a light olive color with one seed, medium-sized and large, fleshy with several large seeds.

In this, as with grapes, dark varieties of raisins are more useful than light ones.

Raisins refer to sweet foods. However, they do not contain the sugar we are used to adding to tea, but fructose and glucose, which are useful carbohydrates that do not raise blood sugar levels.

Nutritional value of 100 grams of raisins

• Proteins – 2.9 grams;
• Fats – 0.6 grams;
• Carbohydrates – 67 grams;
• Mineral salts – 1.8 grams;
• Water – 15.4 grams;
• Energy value – 264-279 kilocalories;

Raisins are a high-calorie food and the caloric content of some types reaches 279 kilocalories, so their excessive consumption can become a cause of obesity.

Raisin benefits for health

Raisins are very rich in potassium – 100 grams of them contain 860 mg of this mineral, which is important for the health of the brain, heart and blood vessels. In addition, the composition of this food includes such elements as phosphorus, sodium, calcium, magnesium, iron, and also vitamins B1, B2, B5, PP /nicotinic acid or niacin/.

Vitamin B3 or PP is one of the components of the enzymes involved in cellular respiration and protein exchange, regulating the function of neurons and the entire nervous system in general.

It is for this reason that raisins have been scientifically proven to strengthen the central nervous system and act as a sedative.

Potassium, which raisins are so rich in, besides stimulating the function of the heart muscle, also increases the speed of transmission between nerve impulses.

Potassium salts also have a beneficial effect on the function of the kidneys and the skin.

Thanks to vitamins B1, B2 and B5, which are the most stable in raisins compared to other fruits and vegetables, and the trace element magnesium, a person calms down and falls asleep much faster.

Dark raisins, as well as dark varieties of grapes and wine from them, are considered more useful than light varieties. Even with the consumption of this food, one can prevent caries and periodontal disease.

The antioxidants present in raisins, particularly oleic acid, inhibit the growth of bacteria that cause dental disease. The phytochemicals present in this food are extremely beneficial for teeth and gums.

One of the beneficial properties of raisins is that it removes swelling and increases urine excretion. This property is related to the presence of potassium, which helps even in cases of poisoning, when it is necessary to remove toxins from the blood.

For this purpose, it is necessary to mix the raisins with animal fat, for example, lard, and then apply it to the site of the wound or the penetration of the toxic substance, for example, in the case of a snake bite.

Raisins should be present in the daily menu of people suffering from cardiovascular diseases, as well as those suffering from diabetes and vascular dystonia.

Contraindications

Before consumption, raisins must be thoroughly washed, as in production dryers they are treated with sulfur and other chemicals that are dangerous to health.