A low-fat and high-energy snack, raisins are a popular dried fruit because they taste great and have a substantial shelf life. They also are perfect to add to recipes. It is best to buy raisins in bulk or in transparent containers. This helps you easily determine the quality of the raisins before you put them in your shopping cart.
There are two types of common raisins, dark and golden. Dark is the most well-known and popular in most cereals. They start as green grapes and naturally get darker as they dry. Producers keep the golden raisins light in color through the use of sulfur dioxide, which according to the FDA is not harmful. Nutritionists say muscats are another type of golden raisin. They named them muscats because white muscat grapes make these raisins. First, they seed these muscat grapes, oven-dry them, and treat them to keep their color.
Are Raisins Healthy?
They may be small, but raisins pack a high dose of antioxidants. Antioxidants play a crucial role in protecting the body’s cells from damaging elements. According to a study published in “The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry”, golden raisins have a higher antioxidant capacity than sun-dried black raisins do. Raisins can also help to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. When finding out whether are raisins healthy for your daily diet can be advantageous to men and women alike, women can get extra benefits. Experts say raisins contain high levels of Boron, which is a chemical element that is essential for building strong bones. Boron is important for women to help fight the onset of Osteoporosis.
Regular natural seedless grapes and golden grapes are similar nutritionally. One-fourth cup of regular seedless or golden raisins contains 130 calories. Also, they have about 29 grams of sugar — and are also good sources of potassium, fiber, and iron. Both golden and black raisins’ low-calorie and zero-fat content make raisins a healthy, on-the-go snack option.
Add them to some nuts and other types of dried fruit and you’ll have a great trail mix to pack on your next hike!
