Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Why You Should Add English Peas to Your Grocery List (and What to Do with Them)

 

This protein-rich green veggie shouldn’t be overlooked.

You can count on peas for pops of sweetness and impressive health hits. These small but mighty beauties pack a hefty dose of protein (a cup has almost 9 grams) along with zinc, calcium, and vitamin A, says Stephanie Middleberg, R.D.N., the founder of Middleberg Nutrition. That means not just fresh flavor but fuel for post-exercise muscle recovery.

1. Sauté Peas for a Snack

If you’re a fan of edamame, this alternative version from Christopher Lee, culinary director at Barcelona Wine Bar & Restaurant, will hit the spot. Eat these sautéd English peas right out of the pod for a quick pop of protein.

Ingredients: 
2 pounds English peas
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons minced fresh mint

Directions:

1. In a mixing bowl, toss English peas, still in the pods, with olive oil and salt.
2. Preheat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat and add the peas in a single layer.
3. Flip them every few minutes until the pods are charred and the peas are crisp and tender, about 5 to 6 minutes.
4. Transfer peas to a serving bowl and toss with mint.

2. Make a Chilled Summer Soup

ICYMI, soup isn’t off-limits in the summer; this chilled soup from Kristen Essig and Michael Stoltzfus, co-owners of Coquette in New Orleans, makes for a spicy summer dish that won’t have you overheating.

Ingredients:
1 cup English peas
1 pound of peeled, chopped English cucumbers
3 tablespoon kosher salt
1 1/2 cups plain yogurt
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 clove garlic, peeled and smashed
2 green onions, roughly chopped
1/2 jalapeño, seeded and chopped
1/4 cup loosely packed tarragon
1/2 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
freshly ground black pepper
1/2 lemon
Olive oil

Directions:

1. Boil English peas for 30 seconds; place in an ice bath and drain. Toss cucumbers with 1 tablespoon kosher salt and let sit for 20 minutes.
2. Rinse well and drain for 5 minutes.
3. In a blender, place cucumbers, peas, yogurt, buttermilk, garlic, green onions, jalapeño, tarragon, rice wine vinegar, remaining kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and lemon. Puree, starting on low speed and increasing to medium-high, for 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Chill for at least 3 hours. Serve with a drizzle of olive oil.

3. Whip Up a Pea-Co de Gallo

This pea-filled twist on pico de gallo from Richard Blais, winner of Top Chef All-Stars and author of So Good, is just as versatile as the original. Serve as a dip, or pop on top of grilled chicken or fish.

Ingredients
2 cups of shelled fresh peas
1 cup diced green tomatoes
1/2 minced jalapeño
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon ground cumin
3 tablespoons sliced scallions
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
splash of white vinegar
dash of salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Combine fresh peas, green tomatoes, jalapeño, cilantro, cumin, and scallionsStir in olive oil, a splash of white vinegar, and a dash of salt and pepper
2. Marinate in the fridge for an hour.
3. Serve with tortilla chips or veggies for dipping, or place on top of grilled chicken or fish.

Why You Should Add English Peas to Your Grocery List (and What to Do with Them)

7 Amazing Black Walnut Benefits

Some of the most important health benefits of black walnut includes its ability to improve heart health, reduce inflammation, stimulate circulation, lower blood pressure, prevent certain types of cancer, provide antifungal protection, boost the immune system, regulate digestion, and treat a wide variety of skin conditions.

Black Walnut

The black walnut is a large deciduous tree that is native to the eastern United States, as well as certain parts of Southern Canada. The female flowers of this tree bloom and turn into a nut, usually in clusters of four or five. These can then be harvested for various uses, including the medicinal benefits of both the husk and the nut itself. The black walnut tree, with the scientific name of Juglans nigra, was introduced to Europe in the mid-1600s, but it has not spread beyond America and Europe. Black walnuts are popular food sources in both America and Europe, and can be found in everything from candy, ice cream, fudge, and salads, as well as chicken, pork, and pasta dishes.

Black Walnut is so highly praised because it has a distinctly higher content of fatty acids and protein than its more commonly used cousin, the English walnut. This high concentration of omega-3s and unique organic compounds is what gives black walnut such a good nutritional profile. You can either consume black walnuts directly or use the walnut husk ground into powder; black walnut oil would be very difficult to extract and this is not the common usage of this particular herbal remedy. Now, let’s take a closer look at the many health benefits of black walnuts.

Health Benefits Of Black Walnut

Antifungal Action: Candida albicans is a very common agent in the body that can cause yeast infections. The candida fungus can easily get into the body, and is exacerbated by poor dietary habits. Black walnut, however, contains juglone and tannins that can make the environment of the gut very inhospitable to the candida fungus, thereby protecting your body from this fungus, which can weaken blood vessel walls and increase toxicity in your bloodstream. This same antifungal action makes black walnut effective against Athlete’s foot, ringworm, jock itch, and other more common fungal infections.

Skin Health: By grinding up black walnut husks, a fine powder can be created and made into a paste for the skin. The rich levels of antioxidants and beneficial fatty acids can actually impact the health and appearance of skin, preventing blemishes and pimples, preventing acne, and clearing up skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema. Direct use of the powder tincture may be too strong for the skin, so it can be mixed in with other carrier creams and natural salves.

Digestive Health: The natural anti-inflamatory activity of black walnut makes it ideal for soothing upset stomachs, particularly inflamed walls of the colon or gut, which will help to normalize the digestive process and regulate excretion. Black walnut is said to help relieve both constipation and diarrhea, effectively balancing the body’s entire gastrointestinal system. Some people use black walnuts as a laxative substance in concentrated doses, but this isn’t recommended for extended periods of time.

Heart Health: The high level of omega-3 fatty acids and beneficial compounds make black walnut vital for heart health. Eating a few extra walnuts each day can help to regulate the cholesterol levels in your body, as omega-3 fatty acids can help to eliminate dangerous LDL cholesterol from the body. This can help to lower your blood pressure, ease tension on your cardiovascular system, reduce the chance of developing atherosclerosis, and therefore lowering your risk of heart attack, stroke, and coronary heart disease.

Immune System Health: Along with its antifungal activity to boost the health of the immune system, black walnut is also rich in antioxidants, meaning that it can significantly contribute to the protection of the body be neutralizing free radicals that can cause certain types of cancer and chronic disease. Black walnut is also antiviral and anti-parasitic in nature, providing a comprehensive defensive line for your body.

Respiratory Conditions: Gargling with black walnut extract can be very effective for soothing sore throats, as the anti-inflammatory nature can relieve irritation and inflammation.

Cancer: More direct research is being done on the anti-cancer effects of black walnuts, and the results have been very promising thus far. The organic compound juglone found in black walnut, in addition to the many polyphenolic compounds and fatty acids, contribute to anti-tumor and anti-carcinogenic activity within the body, slowing the growth or preventing the development of numerous types of cancer.

A Final Word of Warning: Nut allergies are very common in the United States and can be very dangerous. Walnuts are common causes of anaphylactic shock in very sensitive nut allergy sufferers. Therefore, if you are planning on adding black walnuts to your dietary or herbal supplement regimen, consult a doctor and ensure that you are not sensitive to nuts. Skin rash is also a common side effect when the powder or tincture is applied to the skin, but this usually fades and is not considered serious. Pregnant women are not recommended to use either topical or oral use of black walnut.

7 Amazing Black Walnut Benefits

9 Surprising Passion Fruit Benefits

Passion fruit is an intriguing and mysterious fruit that has a surprising number of health and medicinal benefits for those fruit lovers who add it to their diet. Some of these benefits include passion fruit’s ability to prevent cancerous growth, stimulate digestion, boost immune function, improve eyesight, increase skin health, regulate fluid balance in the body, lower blood pressure, boost circulation, and improve bone mineral density. Furthermore, it reduces signs of premature aging, lessens inflammation, improves sleeping habits, and eliminates asthma.

Passion fruit looks a little strange growing on its creeper vine, which can wrap itself around almost any surface and cling on, seeking the sunlight. However, don’t let appearances fool you, this fruit is widely celebrated and eaten around the world, and has been for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. There are more than 500 varieties, and their appearance varies widely. In terms of color, they are usually yellow or dark purple, and look somewhat like a grapefruit. The interior is filled with a firm, juicy meat and an abundance of seeds. The fruit is regularly squeezed for the highly beneficial juice, and you often see it added to other juices to improve the flavor and add an exotic taste.

You can find passion fruits grown in nearly any warm climate in the world, provided they are frost-free throughout the year. This includes the South Pacific, Central America, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and various subtropical locations throughout the world. These individual cultures utilize it in their cuisine, because the need for exportation is relatively slim, considering that it is grown in so many different places and varieties around the world. It is a popular breakfast food, juice, snack, and flavor additive to salsa, salad, and desserts.

Nutritional Value Of Passion Fruit

That long list of health benefits commonly attributed to passion fruit is due to the nutrient, mineral, and vitamin content of the fruit, which includes antioxidants, flavonoids, vitamin A, vitamin C, riboflavin, niacin, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, fiber, and protein. The percentages of many of the vitamins and minerals are shockingly high, and passion fruit is a great addition to the diet that can result in a number of amazing health benefits. Let’s explore some of those benefits in greater detail below.

Health Benefits Of Passion Fruit

Immune System: Since ancient times, passion fruit has been cultivated and enjoyed because of the boost to the immune system that it seemed to provide. Although this was unknown to most people until modern times, this immune strengthening property was due to the presence of vitamin C, carotene, and cryptoxanthin. In fact, a single service of passion fruit has more than 100% of the total required intake of vitamin C for a healthy diet. All of these vitamins act as antioxidants, which scavenge free radicals from the body and neutralize them before they can harm the organ systems and result in conditions like cancer, heart disease, or premature aging. Furthermore, vitamin C stimulates the activity of white blood cells and the rest of the immune defense system, thereby protecting you from common illnesses and serious diseases at the same time.

Cancer Prevention: In a related note to the immune system health, passion fruit is also a powerful source of anti-carcinogenic activity in the body. Antioxidants in passion fruit primarily eliminate free radicals, which are known for mutating the DNA of healthy cells into cancerous ones. Passion fruit also contains vitamin A, various flavonoids, and phenolic compounds, all of which have been linked to anti-cancer properties, particularly in terms of oral and lung cancers.

Vitamin-A Content: Aside from its cancer-protective qualities, vitamin A is also linked to health and medicinal benefits in eye health, including the prevention of macular degeneration, cataracts, and night blindness. Furthermore, if you are concerned about the appearance of your skin, not only is the high antioxidant content of passion fruit helpful in reducing wrinkles, but vitamin A specifically functions to boost the health and richness of the skin, and promotes the proper functioning of membranes throughoutthe body, including the skin, to keep it hydrated and glowing!

Digestive Health: Passion fruits are a very strong source of fiber, and a single serving provides the human body with approximately 98% of its daily requirement. Fiber is an essential component of a health diet, since it is the substance that facilitates healthy digestion of food and the regulation of bowel movements. Passion fruit is a good source of soluble fiber, both in the pulp and in the rind, which acts as a bulk laxative, moving food through the digestive tract and reducing exposure time of the colon to any toxins. It can reduce signs of constipation by regulating bowel movements, scrubs the blood vessels clean of excess cholesterol, and even prevent gastrointestinal conditions like colorectal cancer!

Blood Pressure: If you eat one serving of passion fruit each day, you can satisfy 1/4 of your potassium needs immediately. Potassium is a vital mineral in the human body for a number of reasons, one of which is its role as a vasodilator. It relaxes the tension of blood vessels and promotes increased blood flow. This reduces the strain on the heart and increases overall cardiovascular health. Furthermore, potassium is necessary to maintain the proper fluid balance of the body’s cells. Movement between membranes is often only allowed through potassium-regulated channels, so proper amounts of this mineral are of extreme importance. So make sure you pop a passion fruit into your lunch once in a while to keep your heart healthy and your cells functioning!

Improved Circulation: When combined with the vasodilating properties of potassium, the high iron and copper content of passion fruit can really make an impact. Iron and copper are both essential components of red blood cell production, so once the RBC count increases and the vessels are dilated, then healthy, oxygenated blood can flow freely to necessary areas of the body, stimulating the metabolic activity in all the organ systems and boosting productivity and efficiency. Healthy blood flow is essential for proper functioning!

Bone Health and Mineral Density: Since passion fruit is such a rich source of minerals like iron, copper, magnesium, and phosphorus, it is a very important fruit for increasing mineral bone density and bone strength. Some of these minerals are integral parts in creating additional bone matter, strengthening existing bone matter, and speeding up repair. This can be a means of eliminating, preventing, or alleviating the symptoms of osteoporosis and the associated pain and inflammation that occurs when bones deteriorate with age and activity.

Insomnia: One often overlooked compound in passion fruit is a medicinal alkaloids, including harman, which functions as a sedative. This compound of passion fruit has been connected to a reduction in restlessness, insomnia, sleeplessness, and nervous anxiety which can keep you from getting a good night’s sleep. So, instead of a glass of warm milk, next time try reaching for a slice of passion fruit and head back to your pillow!

Respiratory Conditions and Asthma: Recent studies have shown that a combination of various extracts from the purple passion fruit peel creates a novel mixture of bioflavanoids, which have an expectorant, sedative, and soothing effect on the respiratory system. It has been positively connected to a reduction in asthma attacks, wheezing, and whooping cough. Next time someone in your family starts hacking and coughing, slice off some passion fruit peel and see if that calms them down.

A Few Words of Warning: There are no inherent risks of eating passion fruit, and its wealth of nutrients and health benefits take care of most bodily concerns. However, most of the calories of this fruit do come from sugars, so people with diabetes should be careful to not eat it excessively, or at least be aware of your blood sugar levels. Other than that, enjoy passion fruit and start feeling better in countless ways in no time!

9 Surprising Passion Fruit Benefits

Consuming just two fizzy drinks a day in pregnancy increases a child’s obesity risk

Pregnant women who consume just two fizzy drinks a day could be increasing their child’s risk of becoming obese, new research suggests.

Having at least two sugary drinks a day during a woman’s second trimester increases a child’s BMI and waist circumference at seven years old, a study found.

Every additional sugary drink that a woman consumes during this stage of her pregnancy adds an extra 0.15 kg/m2 fat mass to her child, new research reveals.

Fruit juice, diet drinks and water do not have the same effect, the study found.

Study author Sheryl Rifas-Shiman from Harvard University, said: ‘Childhood obesity is widespread and hard to treat. So it’s important to identify modifiable factors that occur prenatally and during infancy so prevention can start early.’

How the study was carried out  

Researchers from Harvard University analyzed 1,078 mother-child pairs.

The mothers were visited at the end of their first and second trimesters.

Questionnaires of their sugary and non-sugary drink intake were completed during this time.

Both the mothers and their child were visited during the first few days after birth and approximately six months, three years and seven years later.

The children’s height and weight was measured at approximately seven years old.

Key findings  

Results revealed that drinking at least two sugary drinks a day during a woman’s second trimester increases a child’s BMI and waist circumference.

Every additional sugary drink a woman consumes in her second trimester is associated with an extra 0.15 kg/m2 fat mass in her child.

Consuming fruit juice, diet drinks and water or sugary drinks in the first trimester has no effect.

The findings were published in the journal Pediatrics.

Why did these results occur? 

Children whose mothers drank sugary drinks during their pregnancy may have more of these beverages available to them during their childhood, resulting in weight gain, the researchers speculate.

Alternatively, children may inherit a preference for such drinks from their mothers or they could develop a ‘taste’ for sugary beverages if they were consumed during their gestation.

Sugary drinks during the second trimester increases a child’s BMI and waist circumference

What the experts say

Ms Rifas-Shiman said: ‘Childhood obesity is widespread and hard to treat. So it’s important to identify modifiable factors that occur prenatally and during infancy so prevention can start early.’

Sian Robinson from the University of Southampton, who was not involved in the study, added: ‘I was struck that the differences in children’s body composition were seen in relation to intake levels that appear unremarkable.

‘We need to know more about the long-term effects of maternal nutrition on offspring health.

‘This new data suggests mothers’ consumption is important and has public health relevance.’

Consuming just two fizzy drinks a day in pregnancy increases a child’s obesity risk

7 Amazing Benefits Of Tamarind

The health benefits of tamarind have been well-studied and include the ability to reduce inflammation throughout the body, improve eye health, boost respiratory health, heal skin conditions, improve the digestive system, relieve pain, increase the strength of the immune system, reduce fever, lower cholesterol to improve cardiovascular health, treat piles, prevent cancer, and even protect children against parasites and worms.

Tamarind is a delicious, sweet fruit that has a wide variety of uses and applications, both for medicinal and culinary purposes. It is a medium-sized bushy tree with evergreen leaves and fruit that develops in pods characterized by long, brown shells. Inside is a sticky, fleshy, juicy pulp, which is the tamarind fruit. This is where the nutrition and taste reside! It is both sweet and sour in taste, and people tend to either immediately like it or have a natural disposition against it!

It is a member of the Fabaceae family, and its full scientific name is Tamarindus indica. The tamarind tree is indigenous to tropical regions of Africa, particularly the Sudan, but its cultivation has since spread to almost all tropical areas of the world, since it is such a useful and desirable source of nutrition and unique flavors. It has been cultivated for thousands of years, and likely made its way to Asia about 5,000 years ago. It wasn’t until 500 years ago that it made its way to the Americas via Spanish explorers, and South America and Mexico remain both the largest consumers and producers of tamarind in the world.

It can be consumed as a raw fruit, added to desserts once it is fully ripe, or it can be dried and ground into a spice. It is often used in jams and sauces, and is even dried and processed into candy in some parts of the world. It is a normal ingredient in soups and various dishes throughout Asia and South America, owing to the wealth of health benefits this unassuming little seed pod contains. Let’s find out more about what components make tamarind such a powerful and essential part of your diet!

Nutritional Value Of Tamarind

Tamarind is a very valuable commodity in the world because of its many nutritional components that add to its healthy impact. These include a significant level of vitamin C, as well as vitamin E, B vitamins, calcium, iron, phosphorous, potassium, manganese, and dietary fiber. There are also a number of organic compounds that make tamarind a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. The health benefits of tamarind are explained in greater detail below.

Health Benefits Of Tamarind

Digestive Health: Tamarind has long been considered a natural laxative, and its dietary fiber content probably has something to do with it. Eating tamarind as a fruit or as a spice can increase the efficiency of your digestive system, while the fiber can bulk up your stool, making it move through the smooth muscles of the intestinal tract easier. Tamarind is also a bilious substance, meaning that it stimulates the activity of bile, which can help dissolve food faster, and the fiber also stimulates gastric juices to speed up digestion. All of this together means that things run through your digestive tract faster, making it a powerful laxative if you are suffering from chronic constipation. Oddly enough, the fiber can also reduce loose stool, and studies have shown tamarind to be effective against chronic diarrhea as well!

Heart Health: Studies done on tamarind have shown it to be effective in reducing blood pressure and blood cholesterol. The fiber content in tamarind certainly has something to do with the reduction in cholesterol, since it is known to scrap excess LDL cholesterol from the veins and arteries. The potassium in tamarind may be responsible for the reduction in blood pressure, since it is known as a vasodilator that reduces the stress on the cardiovascular system. The impressive level of vitamin C in tamarind also may have something to do with it as well, since vitamin C is an antioxidant compound that can reduce the impact of free radicals, those pesky byproducts of cellular metabolism that have been linked to heart disease and a number of other health conditions.

Circulation: Tamarind is a very good source of iron, and a single serving can provide more than 10% of your daily requirement. A healthy supply of iron in the body guarantees the proper red blood cell count in the body, which can ensure appropriate oxygenation of different muscles and organs that need oxygen to function properly. Also, iron deficiency results in anemia, which is characterized by weakness, fatigue, headaches, cognitive disorders, and stomach issues. So, eat plenty of tamarind to keep anemia at bay!

Nerve Function: One of the most significant vitamin elements of tamarind is the B complex. Thiamine, one of the most important parts of that vitamin family, is found in high quantities within tamarind. Thiamine is responsible for improving nerve function, as well as muscle development, which can help you remain active, maintain your reflexive, and stay strong.

Weight Loss: One of the unique compounds that can be extracted from tamarinds or gained as a benefit from it when used as a spice is called hydroxycitric acid (HCA). HCA is connected to weight loss because it has been shown to inhibit an enzyme in the body that specifically helps store fat. Furthermore, tamarind has been known to suppress the appetite by increasing the serotonin neurotransmitter. Research is still ongoing in these respective areas, but it shows promising signs as a weight loss supplement!

Manage Diabetes: Along with its ability to stop weight gain, inhibiting that enzyme, alpha-amylase mainly stops carbohydrates from being absorbed, which are easily converted to simple sugars or fats. A carbohydrate-heavy diet can increase the chances of uncontrolled glucose and insulin levels, which is the biggest problems for people suffering from diabetes. Tamarind can help monitor and control these fluctuations.

 

Anti-Inflammatory Capacity: The essential oils of tamarind have been connected to a number of anti-inflammatory abilities, including the reduction of joint pain and inflammation, arthritis, rheumatic conditions, and gout. It also reduces eye irritation. One of the most common forms of this is conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye. Tamarind has shown a definite soothing and anti-inflammatory ability, and is therefore used in many herbal remedies for inflammation.

Immune System: High levels of vitamin C, as well as other antioxidant effects in the essential oils make tamarind a wonderful way to boost your immune system and ensure long-term health from microbial and fungal infections. It also reduces the occurrence of parasites in the body due to its antiseptic and antimicrobial effects. It has specifically been linked to eliminating stomach worms in children in tropical areas where tamarind in cultivated.

A Few Words of Caution: The main concern is that tamarind lowers blood pressure and is a blood thinner, so it can be difficult to reduce bleeding in case something happens. If you are taking aspirin or other blood thinners, be careful if you ingest an excessive amount of tamarind.

7 Amazing Benefits Of Tamarind

11 Surprising Benefits Of Raisins

The health benefits of raisins include relief from constipation, acidosis, anemia, fever, and sexual dysfunction. Raisins have also been known to help in attempts to gain weight in a healthy way, as well as its positive impact on eye health, dental care, and bone quality.

Raisins are irreplaceable as a healthy member of the dry fruits category. These golden, green or black delicacies are favorites of almost everyone, 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.

Raisins are obtained by drying grapes, either in the sun or in driers, which turns the grapes into golden, green or black gems. In fact, when their nutritional values and health benefits are considered, “gems” is a rather accurate name for them!

Health Benefits Of Raisins

Constipation: When ingested, raisins swell because the fiber present in them has shrunk in a raisin’s dried form, but it will begin to swell due to the body’s 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 the liquid of loose stools and reducing the frequency and unpredictability of diarrhea.

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 body builders who need powerful boosts of energy, or for those who want to put on weight without accumulating unhealthy amounts of cholesterol. Their role as a healthy addition to the diet is further boosted because of the many vitamins, amino acids and minerals in raisins, such as seleniumand 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.

Cancer Prevention: Raisins have high levels of catechins, which are polyphenolic antioxidants in the blood. Antioxidants scavenge the free radicals that float around 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 from forming, or slow down its progress if you have already developed a number of forms of that deadly disease.

Hypertension: For many years, some people have believed that raisins have the power to reduce blood pressure and protect the integrity of heart health, 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 raisins are beneficial, but experts believe that it is the high level of potassium that helps with this condition. 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.

Diabetes: In a number of studies, raisins have been shown to lower the postprandial insulin response, which means that after eating a meal, they can help the spikes or plunges in insulin levels that can be so dangerous to patients with diabetes. It modulates the sugar absorption by the body, making it more even and stable, reducing the chance of health complications or emergencies for those suffering from both major types of 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 these hormones in check, people who eat raisins can improve their chances of maintaining a healthy diet and prevent overeating, which further improves chances of living comfortably with diabetes!

Anemia: Raisins contain a considerable amount of iron which directly helps in the treatment of anemia. It also contains many members of the 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.

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 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, A-Beta Carotene and A-Carotenoid, all of which are essential for good ocular health.

Acidosis: Acidosis is a state of increased acidity of the blood (also known as toxicity of the blood) or of the gases in our respiratory system. The source of acids for both conditions is the stomach. This increased acidity can be very harmful for 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 good source of potassium and magnesium, which are two of the most common components of antacids, because they are considered bases on the pH scale. These two minerals are both very effective in neutralizing acids and thus help to check acidosis and other related conditions.

Sexual Dysfunction: Raisins have long been  known to stimulate the libido and induce arousal, primarily due to the presence of an amino acid called Arginine, which is beneficial in treating erectile dysfunctions. Arginine also increases the levels of sperm motility, which can increase the chances of conception when engaging in sexual intercourse.  It is a common practice in India to make the bride and the groom drink a glass of milk each, boiled with raisins and added with a pinch of saffron on their wedding night. It is also recommended for those suffering from issues of sexual endurance to consume raisins regularly, and whatever beneficial sexual effects you experience will be further aided by the immediate energy boost that raisins often provide.

Bone Health: Calcium, which is the main element of our bones, is present in raisins, and these dried fruits are also one of the best sources of Boron, a micronutrient. For those of you who don’t know, a micronutrient is a nutrient required by the body in very small amount as compared to other nutrients that must be consumed daily in significant amounts. Boron is vital for proper bone formation and efficient absorptionof calcium. Boron is particularly helpful in preventing osteoporosis induced by menopause in women and has been shown to be very beneficial for bones and joints. Potassium is another essential nutrient found in high levels in raisins which can help strengthen bones and promote bone growth, thereby reducing the chances of osteoporosis in all types of people.

Dental Care: Oleanolic Acid, one of the phytochemicals present in raisins, plays a crucial role in protecting your teeth against tooth decay, cavities, and teeth brittleness. It effectively prevents the growth of Streptococcus Mutans and Porphyromonas Gingivalis, two of the bacterial species that are most responsible for cavities and other dental problems. In addition, it is rich in calcium which is good for promoting dental health, as it prevents breaking or peeling away of teeth and enamel while making them stronger.

As strange as it may sound, when eating raisins, the longer they stick to your teeth, the better, because that ensures extended contact of Oleanolic Acid with the teeth, increasing the preventative powers against bacterial growth. In addition its role in bone health and osteoporosis treatment, the boron present in raisins plays a very important role in curbing the growth of oral germs as well as in promoting strong teeth.

Other Benefits: The fibers in raisins also help promote excretion of bile from the body, and it stimulates the burning of cholesterol, thereby promoting good cardiac health. Furthermore, the amount of fiber in them helps to literally sweep out the toxins and harmful materials in the digestive tract, which can protect people from additional intestinal diseases, and bacterial growth that is eliminated when the toxins are swept out.

Word of Caution: All of that being said, there are a few risk factors in excessive consumption of raisins. Raisins are quite high in calories, which can increase weight gain quickly if you are not careful. You need to factor in extra caloric intake in your diet, regardless of the other benefits that small amounts of raisins can give you. Raisins also have high levels of triglycerides due to their high content of fructose (triglycerides are byproducts of the body metabolizing fructose). High levels of triglycerides can increase your chances of developing diabetes, coronary heart disease, and fatty liver cancer. If you have other risk factors, then be careful and don’t add too many raisins into your diet!

11 Surprising Benefits Of Raisins