The healing effect of dried fruits

The healing power of the dried fruit has been known to mankind for times out of mind. The dried fruits were used by different civilizations and cultures for medical purposes, including ones from the traditional Indian medicine Ayurveda. The Indians applied them for stimulation of energy, improvement of the nervous system, digestion, ro relieve headaches (caused by stress), and to deal with many other diseases as well.

Our body is in need of important nutrients it replenishes through fresh fruits all year round. So in seasons when their diversity is diminished, you can continue to supply them to your body through the dried fruit.

Why dried fruits are of such importance to our body?

Dried fruits are an essential addition to any healthy diet.  They are an essential source of dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, mineral nutrients and phenolic compounds. They have laxative effect, decrease serum cholesterol and risk of heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, affect favourably the bone density, as well as certain types of cancer. Their consumption is an effective way to increase your overall intake of fruit.

Statistics

According to the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council, daily consumption of dried fruit associates with reduced risk of chronic diseases. Dried fruits have been found to have a key role in the regulation of intestinal function and the maintenance of a healthy digestive system. They also affect favourably the osseous system, because they are high in phenolic compounds (such as phenolic acids and lignans) to stimulate bone formation and strengthen the activities of the osteoblasts.

Dried fruits are a good source of other nutrients having a favourable effect on bone health – such as calcium, magnesium, vitamin K and boron. For example, 100 g dried figs contain more calcium than the same quantity of fresh milk does. The chemical element boron is known to play an important role in the prevention of osteoporosis while the shortage of boron reduces bone strength.

Dried fruit – a source of B12

Dried fruits are found to be a good source of vitamin B12. The bacterium to produce vitamin B12 in the body thrives in organic soils, as well as on plants and trees grown in such soil. There is vitamin B12 on the fruits surface of such plants and trees you can save if you do the following:

• Cut the fruits directly.
• Dry them without washing.

Which dried fruits are best for your health?

Dried fruits health and healing properties are closely associated to their origin, the technology of drying, handling and storage.

Manufacturers often add various harmful additives after or during the drying process, which are not present on the labels. These are sugar, dextrose, glucose syrup, fruit juice, food coloring, glycerin (E422), sorbic acid (E200), sulfur dioxide (E220), paraffin, food fats and oils. Very often dried fruits with shiny and oily apperances are treated with oil or paraffin-additives which are harmful and impede the normal functioning of the human organism.
 
That's why you have to be very careful when choosing and buying dried fruits that are not natural or bio certified. The certificate of organic dried fruits ensures that neither other substances have been added to them, nor mineral fertilizers, synthetic protective chemicals, antibiotics, hormones, growth regulators have been used during their growth. Usage of additives as preservatives, colourings, flavourings and synthetic fragrances, as well as excipients in processing, genetically modified organisms and their derivatives is prohibited.     

The technology of fruits drying is also essential. Enzymes dissociate at drying temperature exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. Nutritient structure starts changing at a drying temperature exceeding 60 degrees. The best season of drying fruits is the summer. During summer the fruits dry under the sun and thus all nutrients are kept to the maximum extent.

Healing properties of some dried fruits as follows:

• Prunes - a powerful antioxidant:

These fruits are naturally high in hydroxycinnamic acids and anthocyanins. Prunes are found to rank first based on their antioxidant capacity in terms of food according to a study conducted by researchers at Tufts University in Boston. Prunes are a reliable source of dietary fiber and sorbitol to make them an excellent remedy for constipation and hemorrhoids. They contain also neochlorogenic and chlorogenic acids to improve their laxative effect. Recent studies of postmenopausal women have shown that the consumption of prunes is related to the increase of the bone mineral density to prevent the development of osteoporosis.

• Dried apricots - excellent supply of iron:

Iron is an important element when fighting anemia. Dried apricots contain copper to help iron being absorbed by the body. Daily intake of dried apricots helps produce hemoglobin being helpful for women with menstrual cycle conditions.

Dried apricots are high in phyto-chemicals helping prevent cardiovascular diseases, reduce levels of bad cholesterol and protect against cancer. Apricots contain vitamin A to boost your eyesight. Apricots are an effective source of fiber helping prevent constipation and digestive conditions such as diverticulosis.

• Raisins:

Raisins are an excellent tool to increase energy as they are high in fructose and glucose. Thus they become an indispensable part of the diet of athletes and people in need of a lot of energy.
Raisins help with:
• digestive problems and constipation due to its high fiber content;
• acidosis (a condition of acidity / toxicity of the blood), due to
      potassium and magnesium contents;
• treatment of anemia due to high iron content;
• prevention of osteoporosis because of their content of boron;
• are good for eye health because of good amount of provitamin A.

• Figs - to better balance your body pH:

Figs are among the most highly alkaline foods to make them useful for balancing the body pH. They are an effective source of potassium being of crucial importance for regulating blood pressure. Figs also support normal bowel function due to their high levels of fiber. They are used in traditional medicine for lowering cholesterol levels, treatment of diabetes, constipation and skin problems such as vitiligo, psoriasis and eczema.

Phyto-chemical compounds in the figs help separate the harmful oxygen free radicals generated by the body, and thus protect us from cancer, diabetes, degenerative diseases and infections. In addition, studies show that chlorogenic acid in these fruits regukates blood glucose levels in type-2 diabetes mellitus.

• Dried paradise apple:

The dried paradise apple is low in protein and fat, but is high in fiber. There are many phyto nutrients and antioxidants to play a very important role in the metabolism. The dried paradise apple also contains good amounts of the powerful antioxidants provitamin A and vitamin C. Last but not least, this fruit contains minerals such as potassium and magnesium being important for the body genesis. Regular consumption of dried paradise apples improves blood flow to the heart thus reducing the risk of heart attack and improves lipids metabolism.

Here follows several more benefits of the consumption of dried paradise apples:
• they help relieve heartburn;
• they soften and smooth skin;
• they help reduce the symptoms of disorders like constipation, indigestion, diarrhea, weakness, thyroid disease, chronic gastritis and gastric motility dysfunction.

Regular consumption of various types of dried fruit supplies your body with a lot of nutrients to increase your level of energy, vitality and productivity and improve your health and as a result you will increase your overall intake of fruit.