Health Benefits of Dried Fruits

Health Benefits of Dried Fruits:

Fruit is an excellent source of nutrients like Vitamin C, fiber, and potassium, something that so many people lack in their diets. Minimal consumption of fruits can lead to significant diet-related diseases and disabilities. Fruit also contains bioactive nutrients that provide additional health benefits like carotenoids and polyphenols. Research shows that eating fruit can lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. There are many reasons why people everywhere are not consuming fresh fruits like limited availability, price point, and its perishable nature. Eating dried fruit as part of a balanced diet could be one solution to incorporating fruits into your diet.

What is Dried Fruit?

You may be asking yourself what exactly is dried fruit and how can it benefit me? Dried fruit is fruits that have almost all of their water content removed through drying and dehydration methods. The fruits may shrink during this process. Leaving behind a small, energy-dense fruit snack.

Types of Dried Fruits

There are a plethora of types of dried fruits with an elaborate list of vitamins and minerals. Raisins are probably the most common type of dried followed by prunes, figs, and apricots. Other varieties of dried fruits are also available like mangos, Medjool dates, cranberries, and apples. There is a variation of dried fruits, sometimes in a candied form (sugar-coated). Coating dehydrated fruits is a means of preserving them for longer shelf life and for additional tastiness! Dried fruits can be preserved for a lot longer than fresh fruit and work as a great snack on-the-go and on long-trips where refrigeration is not available. They also work as a great alternative for those who may not have the financial means to continually buy fresh fruit. Dried fruits are generally inexpensive and offer a wide range of benefits.

Loaded with Nutrients!

Dried fruits like cherries, prunes, kiwi, and pears are loaded with micronutrients, fiber, and antioxidants. Dried fruits are highly nutritious! In most cases, dried fruit contains the same amount of nutrient value as its fresh fruit counterpart, but is smaller. In its condensed form, dried fruits contain up to 3.5 times the fiber, vitamins, and minerals as store-bought fruit. One serving of dried fruit can provide a decent percentage of your daily recommended intake of minerals and vitamins. Dried fruit typically contains lots of fiber (figs, prunes, Medjool dates). And, they’re a fantastic source of antioxidants - polyphenols in particular. Polyphenols are associated with improved blood flow and digestive health, aids in the reduction of many heart diseases, and decreased oxidative damage.

Bottom line

Basically, dried fruits are jam-packed with all the good stuff. Not only are they brimming with nutrients, but they’re unbelievably tasty. Dried fruits will quickly become your new snacking alternative.

Each unique and flavourful in their own right with their own, you'll be remiss not to try all of them out. And you're in the right place.

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