What Are Raisins? Raisins are obtained by drying grapes, either in the sun or in driers, which turns the grapes into golden, green or black gems. These delicacies are everyone’s favorites, particularly children. They are widely used in cultural cooking around the world (especially in desserts) and are also added to health tonics, snacks, and compact, high-energy food supplements for mountaineers, backpackers, and campers. Health Benefits Of Raisins When the nutritional values and health benefits of raisins are considered, “gems” is an accurate name for them. Let’s see how they help our body; Relieve Constipation When ingested, raisins swell because the fiber present in them shrinks in a dried form, but begins to swell due to the natural fluids. This adds bulk to the food moving through the intestinal tract and ultimately helps provide relief from constipation. The type of fiber in raisins is considered insoluble fiber because it takes in water and gains volume in that way. Besides reducing constipation, they can also help to stop loose stools, again by absorbing its liquid and reducing the frequency and unpredictability of diarrhea. Promote Weight Gain Raisins, like all dried fruits, are very good tools for gaining weight in a healthy way since they are full of fructose and glucose and contain a lot of potential energy. They form an ideal part of a diet for athletes or bodybuilders who need a powerful boost of energy, or for those who want to put on weight without accumulating unhealthy amounts of cholesterol. Their role as an addition to the diet is because of the vitamins, amino acids, and minerals, such as selenium and phosphorus, which facilitate absorption of other nutrients and proteins in the body. Raisins also stimulate the efficient absorption of other proteins, vitamins, and nutrients gained from food, which improves your overall energy and immune system strength. Prevent Cancer Raisins have high levels of catechins, which are polyphenolic antioxidants present in the blood. Antioxidants scavenge the free radicals floating in the body and wreak havoc on the organ systems and cells. Free radicals are one of the primary, underlying factors that lead to the spontaneous growth of cancer cells, as well as the substance that can spur on metastasis. Therefore, by including raisins in your diet and increasing the level of these powerful antioxidants in your system, you can prevent cancer, or slow down its progress if you have already developed it. Reduce Hypertension For many years, some people have believed that raisins have the power to reduce blood pressure and protect hearthealth, but it was only recently that experts began intensive studies on these claims. The findings, although still not absolutely definitive on how raisins reduced blood pressure, did show a positive correlation between reduced hypertension and consumption of raisins. Many of the nutrients packed into them are beneficial, but experts believe that it is the high level of potassium that helps. Potassium is a well-researched way to reduce the tension of blood vessels and decrease blood pressure, and the dietary fiber in raisins is also thought to affect the biochemistry of blood vessels and reduce their stiffness, which in turn reduces hypertension. Control Diabetes In a number of studies, raisins have been shown to lower the postprandial insulin response, which means they can stabilize the spikes or plunges on the insulin after a meal that can be otherwise dangerous to patients with diabetes. They also help to regulate the release of leptin and ghrelin, which are the hormones responsible for telling the body when it is hungry or full. By keeping a check on these hormones, people who eat raisins can improve their chances of maintaining a healthy diet and prevent overeating. Treat Anemia Raisins contain a considerable amount of iron which directly helps in the treatment of anemia. It also contains many members of vitamin B complex that are essential for the formation of new blood. The high copper content in raisins also helps the formation of red blood cells. Cure Fever Phenolic phytonutrients, well known for their germicidal, antibiotic, and antioxidant properties, are abundantly present in raisins and can help cure fevers by fighting viral and bacterial infections. Eye Care Raisins contain polyphenolic phytonutrients, which have antioxidant properties. These phytonutrients are very good for ocular health, as they protect the eyes from the damage caused by free radicals (oxidants), in the form of macular degeneration, age-related weakening of vision, and cataracts. In addition to their antioxidant qualities, raisins contain significant amounts of vitamin A, beta-carotene, and A carotenoid, all of which are essential for good ocular health. Prevent Acidosis Acidosis is a state of increased acidity of the blood (also known as toxicity of the blood) or the gases in our respiratory system. This increased acidity can be very harmful to the body as it may lead to a number of health problems such as boils, skin disease, damage to the internal organs, arthritis, gout, renal calculi, hair loss, heart diseases, tumors, and even cancer. Raisins are a good source of potassium and magnesium, which are two of the most common components of antacids because they are considered based on the pH scale.