Raisins Dried Grapes/currants

Raisins may be eaten raw or used in cooking, baking and brewing.

Raisins are dried grapes/currants. However, unlike fresh fruits, they are indeed natural source of energy, vitamins, electrolytes, and minerals. In addition they are packed with many health benefiting poly phenolic anti-oxidants, dietary fiber, and other phyto-nutrients. They are gluten free and can be consumed by people who are gluten intolerant, as an alternative healthy food. As in grapes, raisins also contains resveratrol, a polyphenol anti-oxidant, has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, blood cholesterol lowering activities. 100 g raisins provide 3.7 g or 10% of daily required levels of dietary fiber. Moderate fiber in the diet helps lower body weight, cholesterol levels in the blood, and colon and breast cancer incidence as well as constipation. Raisins are dense source of minerals like calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium, copper, fluoride and zinc. 100 g provides 23% daily requirement levels of iron. Also they are rich in heart healthy electrolyte potassium. 100 g provide 749 mg of potassium. Potassium reduces heart rate, blood pressure by countering sodium and thereby helps prevent stroke, CHD, and peripheral vascular diseases. They are also good source of some B-complex vitamins such as thiamin, pyridoxine, riboflavin and pantothenic acid.