While most of you might enjoy eating the different kinds of grapes, dry grapes or raisins are another popular way to include grapes in your meals and diets! Made by drying the grapes for about 3 weeks in the sun or driers, dry grapes are usually available as golden, green, or black. While grapes are usually consumed raw or added to fruit salads and smoothies, raisins or dry grapes can be cooked and added into gravies, sweets, and desserts as well! To know more about dry grapes and ways to include them in your diet, keep reading!
Benefits Of Dry Grapes
Check out here some of the most common dry grapes benefits.
1. Constipation
Dried grapes swell in the blood due to the body’s natural fluids. This helps the food to move in the intestinal tract and provides relief from constipation. Dry grapes contain insoluble fiber that reduces constipation (1).
2. Weight Gain
Dry grapes are the best for gaining weight in a healthy way as they contain fructose and glucose energy. They are mostly consumed by athletes or body builders for a boost of energy or for weight gain without accumulating unhealthy fats. It contains many vitamins, amino acids, minerals, selenium, phosphorus, nutrients and proteins. This also improves immunity.
3. Cancer Prevention
Dry grapes are rich in catechins, known as polyphenolic antioxidants in blood (2). This helps you to get rid of free radicals to improve the organ systems and the cells. Free radicals lead to growth of cancer cells. Dry grapes in your diet can increase the level of powerful antioxidants and prevent cancer or slow down its process (3).
4. Hypertension
Since many years, dry grapes have been believed to reduce blood pressure and protect heart health. Dry grapes may reduce blood sugar along with hypertension (4). Dry grapes are beneficial due to the high level of potassium which helps to reduce the tension of the blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. This also contains dietary fiber that reduces blood vessel stiffness and hypertension.
5. Diabetes
Dry grapes lower the insulin level after eating a meal, in patients with diabetes. It helps sugar absorption and makes it stable to reduce the health complications for both types of diabetes. This helps to regulate leptin and ghrelin, which helps you feel either hungry or full. Hence it is useful for maintaining a healthy diet and to prevent overeating.
6. Anemia
Dry grapes are a rich source of iron that helps to treat anemia (5). It also has Vitamin-B complex which is required for new blood formation. This also has good copper content that is essential for red blood cells formation.
7. Fever
Dry grapes have germicidal, antibiotic, and antioxidant properties, which can cure fevers and fight viral and bacterial infections (2).
8. Sexual Dysfunction
Dry grapes stimulate the libido and boost arousal, as it contains Arginine. This is a vital nutrient for treating erectile dysfunctions, increasing chances of conception and sperm count. In India, the bride and the groom are given a glass of milk boiled with dry grapes and saffron on the wedding night for the best sexual experience and for an energy boost.
9. Acidosis
Acidosis is an increased toxicity of the blood or gases in the respiratory system which is very harmful for the body. This causes many health problems like hair loss, heart diseases and damage to the internal organs, arthritis, gout, renal calculi, boils, skin disease, tumors and even cancer. Dry grapes contain potassium and magnesium that are best natural antacids which neutralize the acids and check acidosis.
10. Bone Health
Calcium in dry grapes is an essential element of our bones. This also contains boron, required for bone formation and absorption of calcium. Boron helps to prevent osteoporosis during menopause and is good for the bones and joints. Potassium is also found in dry grapes that strengthens the bones and aids bone growth (6).
11. Face Health
Dry grapes can help you maintain your pearly white eyes, prevent tooth decay and reduce cavities. It is an excellent source of Vitamin A for eye protection and vision-related problems. This can give you healthy and beautiful skin since it has resveratrol, an antioxidant which slows down the progress of skin ageing. Dry grapes contain potassium, magnesium, phosphorous and iron which boost blood circulation for skin glow.
12. Hair Health
Dry grapes are high on iron that promotes a healthy circulatory system. Circulation and blood flow is essential for hair growth as it stimulates the hair follicles. It is also a good source of Vitamin C that improves iron absorption.
The benefits of dry grapes can be attributed to their minerals, vitamins, and proteins. They can ease constipation, help manage hypertension, and reduce the risk of cancer. They also promote healthy weight gain as they are rich in natural sugars. They even reduce insulin levels after a meal and could be especially beneficial for people with diabetes. Their high iron content may help manage anemia too. In addition, dry grapes effectively promote hair health as well. Try including dry grapes in your diet in moderation to reap their benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the side effects of raisins?
Although raisins are generally safe to consume in moderation, their excess intake may trigger unwanted weight gain and raise blood sugar levels.
What happens if we eat soaked raisins daily?
Soaked raisins help improve digestion, ease constipation, and keep bloating at bay if included as a part of the diet daily.
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Sources
Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.
- A review of dietary fiber and health: focus on raisins
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21476884/ - Is Eating Raisins Healthy?
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/1/54/htm - Dried Fruit Intake and Cancer: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies
https://academic.oup.com/advances/article/11/2/237/5554771 - Raisins compared with other snack effects on glycemia and blood pressure: a randomized controlled trial
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24393750/#:~:text=Raisin%20intake%20was%20associated%20withP%20%3D%200.015%20to%200.001). - Anemia
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499994/ - Nutrition and osteoporosis prevention for the orthopaedic surgeon
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC5508855/
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Tanya Choudhary
Tanya is an ISSA certified Specialist in Fitness & Nutrition. She specializes in writing articles on ingredients that benefit skin,… more
Aakriti Arora
(Certificate In Plant-Based Nutrition)Aakriti Arora is a USA certified nutritionist practicing in New Delhi. She has completed her graduation with Honors from the… more