Dried fruits useful properties and contraindications. Properties of some types of dried fruits

For a long time dried fruits were considered a delicacy, they were prescribed as medicinal product healers and doctors in past centuries. Now they are used in the preparation of various dishes or simply regaled on them without any additives. If there are dried fruits, the benefits and harms of which are the cause of many discussions, you can get not only pleasure, but also replenish your body with useful substances and vitamins.

Types of dried fruits

Dried fruits appeared in connection with the need to prepare food for long journeys, mainly at sea, where access to fruits and vegetables is limited. It is generally believed that these treats refer to oriental views sweets. However, such dishes were very fond of many and received wide use, and now you can see dried fruits on almost any table. The benefits and harms of them are of interest to many. They dry a variety of fruits and vegetables: slices of melon and peaches, cherry plum and persimmon, and many others. However, the most popular the following types products:

dried apricot pitted (dried apricots), dried apricots and whole apricots (kaisa);
prunes with and without pits;
dates;
raisins (light and dark).

The benefits of dried products

The usefulness of dried fruits is undeniable, the use of which helps to maintain youth and health. Consider what dried fruits are, the benefits and harms of which have already been studied. For example, it is rich in calcium, iron and phosphorus, as well as vitamin B 5. Therefore, it is prescribed in the treatment of anemia, visual impairment, heart disease and thyroid gland. In addition, dried apricots contain organic acids and pectins, which help to remove toxins from heavy metal poisoning and promote bowel function.

Prunes is auxiliary means during treatment oncological diseases. It is also prescribed for violations of the gastrointestinal tract and in general to increase immunity. And dates - the first sweets in the East - improve the work of the heart, restore the body after prolonged illness. In addition, they are prescribed during pregnancy to facilitate childbirth and stimulate the production of milk in the mother.

Raisins are a storehouse of vitamins and minerals found in grapes. Good use of this type of dried fruit helps with sleep loss, irritation, neurosis and depression. However, it should be used with caution by those suffering from obesity, ulcers, diabetes, and heart failure.

Harm of dried fruits

Eating dried fruits, the benefits and harms of which you are not yet very aware of, is probably not worth it. There are facts that the types of dried fruits listed above were the cause of indigestion and poisoning. This is due to the fact that various chemicals are used in the process of drying fruits. So, to give dried apricot and raisins good looking, as well as preventing product spoilage, it is fumigated with sulfur dioxide. Therefore, before use, dried fruits must be soaked for 1-2 hours in order to dissolve those absorbed into the products. Sometimes they are used in the manufacture of prunes and raisins. All this is done to give them a marketable appearance. Therefore, it is better to buy not very "pretty", but high-quality dried fruits.

Dried recipes

Many are known healthy recipes with this type of sweet, for example, when dieting for weight loss, it is good to use honey with dried fruits. This mixture will supply the body with vitamins and other beneficial compounds, which will reduce the stress load on the human condition when losing weight. For these purposes, you can make cookies from dried apricots (100 g), honey (1 tablespoon), almonds (30 g), oatmeal fast food(150 g) and cranberries (50 g). The order of preparation is as follows.

Peel off and mix with finely chopped dried fruits.
Mix all the ingredients into a thick mass and put on a baking sheet covered with parchment, using a fork.
Bake at 200°C. Cool the finished cookies and decorate with raspberries.

From this type of treat you can cook the most various dishes. And not just desserts. For example, dried fruit soup is extremely good. The use of dried products health effect on the human body, and, moreover, dried fruits diversify the diet.

Many of us know that dried fruits are useful product. Firstly, they have a lot of fiber, which stimulates digestion and metabolism. Secondly, they contain more minerals than fresh fruits. They contain a lot of potassium (necessary for our heart), iron (which improves blood formation), as well as carotene and B vitamins. All of them are important for normal operation heart, brain, nervous system and muscles. Dried fruits have a cleansing effect on the intestines (one prunes is worth something). They are great at fighting hyperacidity stomach, enveloping its walls with a protective layer. And vegetable fibers, which are rich in dried fruits, normalize digestion processes, improve intestinal motility and help with constipation.

Properties of some types of dried fruits

Dried fruits have many beneficial properties for our body. Here is some of them:

dried apples contain a large amount of iron, which has a good effect on the composition of the blood; improve the intestinal microflora.

Raisin rich in organic acids, fiber, vitamins A, B1, B2, B5 and B6, C. It contains iron, boron, magnesium, potassium, calcium, chlorine, phosphorus. Helps strengthen the nervous system, helps relieve tension, fatigue, improve sleep. Useful for pregnant and lactating women: replenishes iron deficiency and improves lactation. Raisins have a positive effect on the health of the heart muscle, strengthens the nervous system and immunity.

dried pears have a calming effect on the nervous system, improve mood. In addition, they have a tonic property and help remove toxins from the body. Dried pears are rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, E, P, C, pectin, iron, iodine, copper, potassium, calcium, zinc, carotene. Useful for disorders of the pancreas, urinary tract. Help fight with colds and reduce stress.

Exotic fruits also have many useful properties. For example, figs help with inflammation. oral cavity, when coughing, improves the functioning of the thyroid gland.

Peach useful for those who suffer from diseases of the cardiovascular system and kidneys.

Dried apricots is not only beautiful tonic, this dried fruit helps prevent and alleviate anemia, heart and gastrointestinal diseases, and improves eyesight. Constant use dried apricots in food reduces the likelihood of blockage of blood vessels and improves blood circulation; helps the skin stay young for a long time, and hair - strong.

Prunes and raisins increase hemoglobin and are useful in diseases gastrointestinal tract. Dried fruits are a mild laxative, diuretic and anti-inflammatory agent.

Dates rich in vitamins A, E, group B, amino acids. They contain calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, selenium. Dates are useful for people with weakened immune systems, with anemia. They help relieve fatigue and speed up recovery after past illness, strengthen the cardiovascular system, activate the liver and kidneys. It is believed that dates help in the prevention of cancer. Useful for pregnant women: used in the prevention of depression and help strengthen the muscles of the uterus.

From dried apples and pears compotes are prepared and used for diseases of the liver and kidneys, for gastritis and other disorders of the digestive system.

But we must remember that during drying, due to the departure of water, the concentration of sugars in fruits increases. Let's say, in fresh apricots, there are 50 kcal per 100 g, and in dried apricots - already 200-250. Plums have about 60 kcal per 100 g, and prunes - 250. Grapes have 70 kcal per 100 g, and raisins - 280. This must be taken into account by those who are on a diet.

In principle, this sugar is not so terrible: due to the abundance of fiber glycemic index dried fruit is small and does not dramatically increase blood glucose levels.

And now for the sad...

The real problem is that dried fruits are subjected to extensive chemical processing to give them an attractive presentation and extend their shelf life.

Almost all dried fruits that we see on the market or in stores were obtained by industrial drying. After drying, dried fruits lose their natural colors, saturation and brightness are out of the question. Beautiful colour achieved only through chemistry. So, golden figs, bright orange dried apricots and amber color raisins are the work of food coloring and the result of fumigation with sulfur dioxide.

The usual technology for processing dried fruits involves fumigation with sulfur dioxide. This will be labeled on the packaging as additive E220. With it, manufacturers kill bacteria and make the product “tasteless” for insects. This processing gives dried fruits gloss and shine - raisins and apricots become golden, prunes begin to shine. Of course, it is worth mentioning that the concentrations of such hazardous substances are strictly specified, and the recommended doses in theory should not cause harm. But are you willing to risk your own health by believing that the nameless manufacturer was honest?

You should also pay attention to the shine of dried fruits. A real dried fruit has an unpretentious appearance - these are matte, wrinkled slices. To make them shine, manufacturers process dried fruits with cheap vegetable oils or glycerin.

To speed up drying, dried fruits can be processed with a burner, which gives them a taste of gasoline and contributes to the formation of carcinogens due to poor filtration. Often the fruits are dried in a tunnel oven (dryer). This gives dried fruits the smell of diesel fuel. To soften some fruits, especially those harvested ahead of time and therefore hard, boiling water with caustic non-food soda is sometimes used. This helps to cover the peel with small cracks, which makes drying faster.

It is also common practice to soak exotic fruits in sugar syrups, which adds extra sweetness and calorie content to the product.

So, when choosing dried fruits, pay attention to:

unnaturally bright color
unnatural shine
strange aftertaste.

How to protect yourself

Rule 1

Remember, high-quality dried fruits tend to have an unattractive appearance. They are dark, wrinkled, with dust. Too bright color in dried apricots, raisins, dried cherries suggests that they were most likely treated with sulfur dioxide or food coloring. Before eating, soak dried fruits for 20-25 minutes in water at room temperature, and then rinse thoroughly under running water.

Rule 2

When buying dried fruits, take a good sniff. The smell of gasoline, smoke leads to suspicion. Heavily cracked dried fruits - marriage.

Rule 3

In the store, try to buy dried fruits in transparent packaging - so you can immediately appreciate the color of dried apricots, the suspicious shine of prunes or raisins.

Rule 4

Pineapple, papaya, watermelon, mango and some other types of fruits that are now in in large numbers sold in stores are not dried fruits in the true sense of the word. These are candied fruits, as they are first candied and only then dried.

Rule 5

Rinse dried fruit thoroughly before eating to remove dirt and remove sulfur and chemicals.

Rule 6

If you want to make compote from dried fruits, then you do not need to boil them. Just fill them with boiling water and tightly cover with a lid and let it brew well.

Rule 7

Buy dates with pits, raisins and prunes with stalks. Such fruits retain useful substances better.

Rule 8

If you buy raisins, make sure that the berry has a stalk. Berries should not stick together.

Conclusion

Dried fruits are concentrated foods, so they should be consumed in moderation. It must be remembered that dried fruits It is a mild laxative and diuretic. It is desirable to dry fruits by the old-fashioned way or on professional equipment. Thus, you will be sure of the quality of the berries. If you still prefer to buy dried fruits, then before use, you must definitely treat them with boiling water or soak them in water at room temperature, and then rinse with cold running water.

Many people ask me about dried fruits, especially after my recent article. In this article, I wrote that sugar from fresh fruits is absorbed by the body very quickly and efficiently - within a few minutes after entering the stomach, it reaches the cells and turns into energy! From fruit sugar it is impossible to gain weight or get health problems unless you eat fruits along with fatty and unhealthy foods.

But does all this apply to dried fruits? Basically, people are concerned about the following questions:

Are dried fruits good or bad?
Is the sugar in dried fruit as well absorbed as in fresh fruit?
Do vitamins survive drying?
how much dried fruit can you eat?
how to choose dried fruits?

Let's take a closer look at all these questions now.

In my articles, I wrote many times that the most useful for the body is whole product in its original form - vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, herbs ... They contain the whole complex necessary for the body substances - vitamins, minerals, fiber, water and thousands of other substances called "phytocomponents". Therefore, when we eat a whole product, we get the effect of complex impact absolutely all components of the plant on the body!

If one or more components of the plant are artificially removed, then it will be an inferior product and the body's reaction to this product will be completely different. After all, when we eat food, a chain of chemical reactions takes place in the body. And, as we know from chemistry lessons, removing or adding just one substance completely changes the course chemical reaction. For this reason, the following are definitely harmful:

100% vegetable oils(artificially removed everything except fat). I wrote about them in
100% refined sugar (everything is artificially removed except carbohydrates). I wrote about this in an article.
100% protein powder, plant-based or not (everything has been artificially removed except proteins). I wrote about this in .
all pharmacy vitamins without exception (these are inferior, only partially synthesized vitamins). Read about it in.

As for dried fruits, then, based on this logic, they are also inferior. But not to such an extent that they are completely abandoned and considered exclusively harmful. Let's go in order.

During drying, fruits lose important component- water. Due to the lack of water in dried fruits, the concentration of sugar sharply increases to an unnatural level for the body. In fresh apricot, the sugar content, depending on the variety and maturity, is 5-20%, and in dried apricots, it is already 40-60%!

This leads to the following effects:

A sharp jump in blood sugar after eating dried fruits. This leads to stress on the pancreas, which is responsible for the production of insulin, which in turn is responsible for maintaining normal level blood sugar. To equalize the sharply increased level of sugar, the pancreas is forced to work in an enhanced mode.
Reproduction in the body of yeast fungi who are very fond of the sweet environment. In any healthy body these fungi exist, but in small quantities - they, along with our useful intestinal bacteria help the body digest and absorb food. But their growth contributes to the imbalance digestive system and decline in numbers beneficial bacteria. Signs of this are bloating and gas after dried fruit. You must have noticed these effects on yourself, I - yes) Especially when I eat prunes or figs!
Dehydration. Since dried fruits are deprived of water, and it is necessary for digestion and assimilation, the body uses up its water reserves. This dehydrates us, increasing the concentration of toxins in our body. To maintain the required level of water in the body, we need to drink plenty of water. But not at the same time with dried fruits and not after 15 minutes. And somewhere in 40 minutes - an hour after eating dried fruits.
The growth of bacteria in the oral cavity and the occurrence of caries. Dehydrated (dehydrated) foods are not good for teeth. Extremely dry and sticky, they stick to the first wet surface they come across - the teeth - and are decomposed by bacteria. Highly acid foods The vital activity of these bacteria fall directly on the teeth and corrode the enamel.

Dried fruits are not digested as quickly and efficiently as fresh fruits.. The body needs much more time and energy to digest and assimilate them, but the most important task body is to use food as fuel as efficiently as possible, as simply and quickly as possible, without overloading the body. In order to release the energy that is spent on the digestion of heavy food, for more useful purposes — physical activity, regeneration and self-healing of organs and systems of the body.

HOW AND HOW MANY DO I EAT DRIED FRUITS?

There is good news - significantly reduce negative effects can, soaking dried fruit before eating(at least 1-2 hours, in filtered water). This will saturate the dried fruits with water, which is very important! It is also useful to make infusions on dried fruits, such as compote. But you do not need to boil dried fruits or pour boiling water. Just water at room temperature is enough. Recently, I was told about one interesting way - to soak dried fruits in a double boiler. This is certainly better than boiling or pouring boiling water, but I also think it’s not a very sparing option in terms of preserving vitamins.

If you do not like to soak dried fruits, then there is only one advice - eat in moderation without overdoing it. 100 grams per day is enough. Especially considering that in addition to sugar in dried fruits, the calorie content increases sharply. Moreover, if fruits and vegetables are digested perfectly and counting calories does not make any sense here, you just need to eat as much as you like and not bother. Then in the case of dried fruits with calories, you need to be more careful:

Dried fruits are deceptive - they are small compared to fruits and their compact size fools our natural satiety mechanisms that respond to volume. It seems to us that we ate quite a bit, but in fact this “snack” is energy value comparable to a double serving of fried potatoes.

In order not to get carried away by eating dried fruits and know when to stop, just prepare a portion for yourself in advance, and do not eat from a bag or a large plate. Otherwise, you just won't be able to stop on time)

And also need different types dried fruits are eaten separately without mixing them with each other or with other food at one meal.

And be sure brush your teeth or at least rinse your mouth after eating dried fruit.

DO VITAMINS BE PRESERVED WHEN DRYING?

If the fruit is properly dried (at a low temperature, at fresh air, without the addition of chemicals), they retain a significant part useful substances. But, of course, not all.

For example, vitamin C. A whole dried fruit retains most of it. But if the fruit has been cut, then almost all of the vitamin C is lost. So, it is not found in dried apples and very little in dried pitted fruits. Any dried fruit is better to buy with a bone, whole. In the East they say: "To pull a stone out of a fruit is like depriving it of its soul."

Well, in general dried fruits contain many different vitamins and minerals. For example, prunes contain vitamins B, C, PP, potassium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, and iron. In dried apricots, many vitamins disappear, but A, C, PP, iron, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus remain. Dates are high in vitamins A, C, B, niacin, pantothenic acid. Raisins are rich in magnesium, potassium, iron, manganese, thiamine, niacin.

PROCESSING DRY FRUITS: DANGEROUS CHEMISTRY!

Surely, many have heard that dried fruits, which are sold in markets and stores, are processed with something. But few people realize the full scale of the disaster!

Well, firstly, of course they are not dried naturally(outdoors - in the sun or in the shade), and under influence high temperatures(> 100 degrees), which completely destroys all vitamins and enzymes, turning dried fruits into "empty calories" - a substance that does not contain anything useful.

Usually fruits are dried in tunnel ovens, or on gas or petrol burners or even blowtorches.

A tunnel oven is a “tunnel” with heating elements along which a conveyor with dried fruits moves. Such dried fruits can give off the smell of diesel fuel. In the case of burners, they do this - they pour fruit onto a grid and direct a burner or blowtorch at them. Such dried fruits also have a gasoline flavor. The gas dryer should be equipped with a multi-stage cleaning filter system through which hot air reaches the product, but this is often not respected. As a result, carcinogenic substances settle on dried fruits.

In addition, absolutely all dried fruits produced on an industrial scale and sold in stores are processed with chemicals. This is done for beauty. presentation, increase shelf life, reduce drying time. The most commonly used chemicals are: sulfur dioxide, caustic soda, alkali and fats.

Sulfur dioxide (sulfur dioxide, sulfur dioxide).

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a gas that is released during the combustion of sulfur and the burning of sulfides. Fruits are “smoked” with this gas so that insects and larvae do not start in them, and mold does not appear. After drying with anhydride, dried fruits are stored for almost years - they do not rot or deteriorate! In addition, during processing, the peel of dried fruits is covered with sulfurous acid, which prevents the fruits from darkening during drying. It is thanks to sulfur dioxide that we see unnaturally bright orange or yellow dried apricots on the shelves. Figs, raisins, prunes are also processed with this gas.

Sulfur dioxide is corrosive Strong smell and has a devastating effect on microorganisms, incl. any bacteria. It has good solubility in water - as a result of this reaction, unstable sulfurous acid (H2SO3) is formed, which irritates the mucous membrane of the digestive system. Wash such processed dried fruits with triple care! The use of sour gas in Food Industry allowed only in strictly defined minimum doses, because in large quantities this chemical is toxic.

There is a process in the following way. Sulfur is taken - a yellow-green powder:

Further, this sulfur is ignited and sulfur dioxide is formed. The fruits are tightly covered with a film to create a “greenhouse effect”, under this film, sulfur dioxide is launched through a small pipe from below, with which the fruits are smoked! The unbearable smell of sulfur spreads tens of meters from the fruit processing site.

The procedure is simple and fast. It's a shame people thought of this

Caustic soda (caustic soda, caustic).

Caustic soda (NaOH)- this is a caustic alkali, which is a crystal white color. It is used to artificially quickly soften the peel of fruits. The dense skin that is characteristic of plums and grapes does not allow the fruit to dry quickly. The same is true for unripe fruits.

Therefore, the production of raisins and prunes is not complete without the use of caustic soda. To crack the skin of the fruit, it is treated with boiling water (poor fruit!) With the addition of caustic soda, and only then dried. There is no need to talk about the benefits of such a procedure. As they say, no comment.

Caustic soda is widely used in various industries: pulp and paper, chemical (in the production of detergents), petroleum (for the manufacture of biological diesel fuel). This chemical is destructive to aluminum, zinc, lead and tin surfaces.

Dyes.

In conditions of natural drying, fruits always darken, such is nature! But buyers have been taught that dark shriveled fruit is not appetizing. But a bright glossy one is what you need! As I wrote above, sulfur dioxide is used, among other things, to preserve color. But it's more side function gas, more it is needed after all for the destruction of bacteria.

In addition to the processing of sulfur, unnatural bright color dried fruit producers achieve with the help of food coloring. A prime example is white raisins- by itself, no grape variety is converted into white-yellow raisins! Even grapes of light varieties after drying acquire a reddish Brown color. There are no dyes here!

Fats, glycerin, sugar syrup.

To add shine, dried fruits are generously lubricated fat of unknown origin, since when naturally dried, they are usually dusty and matte. Often glycerin is used for this. Here, a bright example is prunes, which shine from all sides. Dates are often processed sugar sticky syrup, from which they also acquire shine. For some, such a shine is appetizing and attractive, but for me now it is repulsive and nasty!

The saddest thing is that no matter how you wash dried fruits treated with chemicals, you will not be able to completely wash them of these nasty things.

HOW TO CHOOSE NATURAL DRIED FRUITS?

Real dried fruits are those that are not processed and dried in the fresh air.! There are two types of proper drying:

1. In the sun. So the fruits dry faster, but at the same time they become hard, dry out.

2. In the shade. This method is longer, but better. It helps to preserve the maximum of useful properties.

Fruits that are dried naturally, should definitely darken! They are ugly, wrinkled and dark.. But healthy and delicious!

For example, real dried apricots It is brown in color and does not shine. Of course, it is better to buy apricots - this is dried apricots with a bone.

real prunes absolutely matte and always with a sour taste. The best - with a bone! If it gets wet, the soaked parts of the prunes turn white. This is a sign of the naturalness of prunes.

Dates need to buy without sugar syrup- either heavily dried (and then soaked), or Kaspiran varieties, which are sold in small packages of 500-600 gr. and do not contain a drop of syrup.

real raisins can be of two types: if it was black grapes, then the raisins will be black with a blue bloom, if the grapes are white, then red-brown raisins. And never raisins should be white and yellow. The most useful - with petioles - they preserve the integrity of the fruit, which means - a maximum of vitamins! Do not buy giant raisins - they were most likely processed on the bush special tool- gibberellin. It is a growth stimulant that increases the size of berries by 1.5 times.

figs it can just have a light beige tint, this is normal for light varieties. There is nothing wrong if it is present white coating(this is natural fruit glucose that has come out).

One feature common to all dried fruits is that if you squeeze them in a handful, then they should not stick together, but remain dry and quite tough. And yet - in some fruits you may come across insects! If this is no more than 10% of the volume of dried fruits you bought, then this is the norm, because this is a sign of naturalness!

Important! Do not confuse dried fruits with candied fruits! Candied fruits are not made from whole fruits by gentle drying. They are made like this - juice is squeezed out of fruits, and then boiled in sugar syrup and dyed with dyes. It's still in best case- often candied kiwi or mango can be turnips, pumpkins or carrots that are flavored shock dose sugar syrup. It is impossible to distinguish the taste with such an amount of sugar. Remember - candied fruits contain a lot of harmful refined sugar, a lot of calories and no benefit!

WHERE TO BUY REAL DRIED FRUITS?

You can buy such fruits in stores where they sell really natural dried fruits. They are not hard to find on the Internet. There are several firms that regularly carry dried fruits of natural drying from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Abkhazia, and the Russian south. For the price, such dried fruits are, of course, more expensive, but I'm sure it's worth it. In addition, as I wrote a little higher, they should be eaten in moderation, a little bit at a time. therefore, a couple of kilograms of dried fruits should be enough for you for a long time. And you can buy cheap either chemical dried fruits or natural dried fruits in the countries where they are produced. In Uzbek bazaars, they cost almost a penny)

There is another option - to dry fruits at home, in the so-called dehydrator. This is such a small compact oven that can be easily placed in the kitchen. Inside the oven there are many shelves with a perforated bottom where you need to lay out chopped fruits and vegetables for drying. The temperature is set to no more than 40 degrees to maximize the benefit! There is a timer that can be set for any time after which it turns itself off. So you can turn on the dehydrator and go to work and on business. And at this time, your fruits will slowly but surely dry and turn into dried fruits)

The price of a dehydrator varies greatly - from 2-3 thousand rubles. up to 15-20 thousand rubles. I have a dehydrator at home and I use it in the summer to dry fruit and in the winter to make healthy breads and cookies. I do not regret at all that I purchased this wonderful unit and I recommend it to everyone. Of course, the best thing is to dry the fruits in the fresh air. It is obvious. But in the absence of a proven conscientious supplier of dried fruits, the dehydrator is great option. In any case, it is better than ordinary chemose dried fruits! Dried and dried bananas, homemade raisins, dried melons are very tasty in it.

Conclusions.

Dried fruits should not be abused. But to refuse them, if you are a big fan of dried fruits, is also not worth it. And it’s all the more better to eat any dried fruit than harmful sweets such as chocolates (such as Snickers and Mars), margarine cookies, cakes with butter, donuts and other outright nastiness.

In general, lean in food is worth fresh vegetables, fruits and other plants. And use dried fruits with caution and exclusively as a dessert, and not the basis of nutrition.

When choosing and eating dried fruits, remember the simple ones. but important tips:

Buy whole dried fruit, with pits
Buy inconspicuous, dark and wrinkled looks like dried fruit
Buy only matte dried fruits, no oily sheen
Before use soak dried fruits

In our articles, we rely solely on chemical composition, calories, glycemic index and latest research nutraceuticals on the chosen hero.

With us you will not find unfounded statements “Raisins heal!”, “Apricots heal!”. Only proven facts, which in the case of dried fruits most often lie in the plane of enrichment proper nutrition rather than in the treatment of serious diseases.

But to maintain health or help in overcoming small problems, many dried fruits can do it. For example, prunes have been well researched in the prevention of constipation, not only due to fiber, but also due to a special substance that stimulates intestinal motility.
Figs are the leader among colleagues in the content of dietary fiber, which are sorely lacking in the diet of most contemporaries. And dried apricots are rich in potassium and copper, two essential minerals for stable heart function and sufficient bone mass, making it a valuable participant in the nutrition of children and the elderly.

Interesting stories await you about dried bananas and dates, about a compote set of pears and apples, about candied fruits from exotic fruits.

We share with you what fascinates us, because dried fruits are so tempting with their sweetness. But in the obvious sugar content lies their possible harm.

The main limitation for the use of dried fruits is all body conditions with poor glucose processing. These are prediabetes and both types of diabetes.

Don't lean on dried fruits and those who plan to lose weight as quickly as possible without harm to health. An excess of light carbohydrates from dried fruits cannot be included in low-carb diets - the very ones that allow you to lose weight faster.

Another disadvantage of dried fruits is the industrial processing that fills them with unwanted substances. You can read the details in the articles.

Here we want to draw your attention to a universal way to reduce potential harm dried fruits with proper preparation. It is especially important to play it safe if you eat from often or put a lot in a recipe. Three steps:

Soak for 30-40 minutes in large quantities cold water- this stage is obligatory (!);
It is advisable to drain the water and repeat the cold soak for another 20 minutes;
We drain the water and wash the fruits with our hands in running water. warm water(necessarily).

This approach will protect you from the "charms" of anti-ecological mass production.

We will be glad to see you among the readers of articles about dried fruits, their benefits and harms, the rules for buying and storing, and beneficial combinations in recipes. Share your experience and knowledge in the comments! We try to make every story about the product as useful as possible. But if you have something to add - you are welcome!

nutritional properties, unique composition and long shelf life have made dried fruits one of the most popular products. But are they really that perfect?

Dried fruits (dried fruits and berries) are considered a natural storehouse of vitamins and microelements at any time of the year. They contain vitamins A and group B, high concentration glucose, fructose, fiber, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iodine, iron, sodium. This chemical composition makes them extremely beneficial for the health of the cardiovascular and central nervous system, helps to improve the condition of nails, hair and bones, stimulates the intestines. In addition, each of the dried fruits contains its own unique complex useful substances.

To a certain extent, dried fruits can be called a “natural pill”. But, like any product, and, moreover, a means of prevention and treatment, dried fruits and berries have their own "pitfalls", side effects and contraindications. What you need to know about dried fruits before making them part of your regular diet?

Beware of chemical dried fruits!

Under industrial conditions, dried fruits can be processed chemicals to give the desired color and protection against mold. For this, in particular, sulfur dioxide is used. Unprocessed dried fruits are usually darker.

Unscrupulous manufacturers often use substances that are incompatible with food for processing dried fruits: insecticides, glycerin, poisonous detergents. They remain on the surface of the fruit and enter the human body.

Chemically treated dried fruits on the shelves look attractive. For example, raisins have a beautiful golden color, while dried apricots and prunes glisten beautifully. The result of the use of such “beauty” for a person is stomach pain, disruption of the gallbladder, intestines. Therefore, before eating or cooking, dried fruits should be soaked in boiling water and rinsed thoroughly.

Dried fruits that are dried naturally (in the sun) are grayer and darker. In any case, do not buy dried fruits that have rotted or formed.

Dried fruits - "sweet bomb"

During the drying process, water leaves fruits and berries, and the concentration of sugar increases significantly. As a result, eating, for example, one dried apricot, a person gets more calories than if he ate a fresh apricot. The calorie content of dried fruits is 230-300 kcal per 100 g. Thus, this delicacy should be treated very carefully by people with diabetes and those who are overweight.

In addition, you should not lose vigilance to allergy sufferers. For example, dried citrus fruits can cause an allergic reaction.

What are the benefits of dried fruits

We offer you to get acquainted with the beneficial properties of the most popular types of dried fruits.

The main value of dried apricots is that when dried, most of the vitamins and microelements are preserved in it. Dried apricots are rich in potassium, carotene, organic acids, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin B5. Helps strengthen the heart and increase hemoglobin. Due to the mild laxative effect, it improves intestinal motility and promotes its cleansing. Prevents the leaching of potassium from the body. 3-5 fruits per day is enough to get the most benefit from dried apricots.

Dried apricots(dried apricot with pits). Rich in beta-carotenes. These substances are supposed to help in cancer prevention. Apricots contain a lot of potassium, which is necessary for heart health, fiber, which is good for the intestines.

Raisin. Rich in organic acids, fiber, vitamins A, B1, B2, B5 and B6, C. It contains iron, boron, magnesium, potassium, calcium, chlorine, phosphorus. Helps strengthen the nervous system, helps relieve tension, fatigue, improve sleep. Useful for pregnant and lactating women: replenishes iron deficiency and improves lactation. High content potassium and magnesium in raisins strengthens cardiac myocardium, contributes to the normalization of pressure. Raisins are not recommended for people with ulcerative lesions gastroduodenal region.

Prunes. Contains mild laxatives alimentary fiber, organic acids, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, vitamins A, groups B, C, PP. good remedy against constipation and effectively cleanses the body. Prunes have a choleretic and diuretic effect. Increases production gastric juice and enhances appetite. Due to the content of potassium and magnesium, it is useful for cardiovascular diseases. With caution, you need to use prunes for nursing mothers - it can cause frustration and colic in the baby.

Dates. Rich in vitamins A, E, group B, amino acids. They contain calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, selenium. Dates are useful for people with weakened immune systems, with anemia. They help relieve fatigue and speed up recovery after an illness, strengthen the cardiovascular system, activate the liver and kidneys. It is believed that dates help in the prevention of cancer. Useful for pregnant women: used in prevention and help strengthen the muscles of the uterus. People with chronic diseases gastrointestinal tract and kidney stones are advised to eat dates with caution.

Drying apples and pears. Dried apples are rich in vitamins A, group B, C, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, iodine. Improve the work of the digestive, nervous, circulatory systems, kidney and liver. Useful for diseases of the thyroid gland. Dried pears are rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, E, P, C, pectin, iron, iodine, copper, potassium, calcium, zinc, carotene. Useful for disorders of the pancreas, urinary tract. Helps fight colds and reduce stress.