Dried fruits - healthy snack or real harm? We debunk myths. Dried fruits What are dried fruits made of?

Benefit

Harm

Contraindications

obesity
diabetes mellitus;
ulcer.

Compound

How to cook

Dried fruits are eaten raw or as part of any dishes: pastries, cereals, compotes, desserts, sauces. However, in order to preserve the maximum of valuable substances, they should not be subjected to additional heat treatment.

Storage

Natural dried fruits can retain their properties throughout the year, covered with sugar syrup - only 4 months. Different types, even if it is a compote mixture, cannot be stored in one place: some of them will definitely deteriorate. To extend the shelf life and avoid the appearance of mold, after purchase, dried fruits must be dried again in the oven at a minimum heat setting.

Dried fruits can be kept in glass, ceramic, wooden containers, hermetically sealed with lids or tightly tied rag or gauze bags. In the storage place, you can put a jar of salt, which will absorb excess moisture. Dried mint added to dried fruits will help to avoid the appearance of insects.

Dried fruits need to be sorted out periodically. If there are bugs, you need to hold the product in the oven at medium temperature. It is better to store dried fruits in small volumes, buying more as needed to avoid spoilage.

How to choose

To get dried fruits that are really useful for the body, you need to choose those that were dried in the sun or in the shade (the main thing is to outdoors) without chemical treatment. Fruits harvested in this way will not look very appetizing: small, wrinkled, darkened. However, it is these dried fruits that will be truly useful and will not harm the body.

Properly dried prunes have a dark matte color, turn white when wet, and taste sour. It is best to choose prunes with a bone. Real dried apricots have a dark brown tint, there should not be any shine. Preference should be given to apricots - dried apricots, dried with a bone. When choosing raisins, you need to consider that it is produced from two types of grapes. Raisins from a white variety will turn out to be brown-red, from black - dark with a blue tint. High-quality yellow-white raisins do not exist. Dates can be hard, strongly dried, but natural: without the content of sugar syrup.

When choosing any type of dried fruit, you need to pick them up in a handful and lightly squeeze: natural ones will not stick together and will not crumble. A sign of the quality of dried fruits is also the presence of a small number of insects in them. It is important to distinguish this product from candied fruits. The latter are prepared not from natural fruits, but from a mixture of juice, sugar syrup and dyes. They do not give any benefit to the body.

To find truly natural dried fruits, you need to study companies that bring them directly from producing countries. Fruits are naturally dried in the southern region of Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Abkhazia. Such a product will not be cheap, but it will give the body the maximum benefit.

What is combined with

Dried fruits go well with a variety of dishes. Together with nuts and a fermented milk drink, they make up healthy dinner. Dried fruits can be added to any cereal: you get a delicious and nutritious breakfast. Prunes are served with meat: it helps to digest the protein product faster. The natural sweetness of dried fruits makes it possible to prepare pastries without adding sugar.

Natural dried fruits are an excellent substitute for harmful cakes, cookies, chocolate. However, they should not be abused. Preference in food should be given to fresh vegetables and fruits, and dried fruits should be left for dessert.

Good afternoon, dear readers! Dried fruits contain a concentrated composition of vitamins and minerals that is five to six times higher than in fresh fruits. Therefore, among food products occupy a special place, being a real wealth for health and beauty, which we often forget about.

After all, this unique food, at the same time very tasty, is rich in simple sugars, mainly fructose and glucose, high in calories and gives a lot of energy.

In the process of drying fruits, sparing technologies are used in which vitamins and minerals are preserved much better than when using home method canning while reducing the water content.

To prolong the taste of summer, or simply to keep surplus fruits for several months, people have always dried them. The moisture content of the fruits is reduced by the sun and air, which prevents the development of microorganisms that cause rotting and decay. Today in the article: the benefits and harms of dried fruits, their composition, drying methods, benefits for weight loss, consumption rate.

Dried fruits benefit and harm

The share of dried fruits in the diet of the population of many countries in last years increased significantly. This is due to the relative affordability of dried fruits in terms of price and the possibility of their long-term storage, unlike fresh berries and fruits.

People leading a healthy lifestyle consider this product to be extremely useful, because they contain a huge amount of biologically active substances. The latter improve the functioning of individual organs and systems and have a positive effect on the human body as a whole.

The benefits of dried fruits

Ingredients: In properly dried fruits, the balance of vitamins and trace elements - calcium, iron, potassium, sodium and magnesium - is absolutely unique.

Experts say that if a person eats every day about 150 g of a cocktail of dried fruits - prunes, figs, apricots, raisins or pieces of apple, pear, pineapple, melon, then he can forever forget about any problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

At the same time, only five medium-sized dried apricots contain the entire daily dose of iron necessary to maintain hemoglobin and calcium levels - this is a fact that especially affects people with a sedentary lifestyle.

Dried fruits are rich in easily digestible fructose, which satisfies the need for sweets and is not harmful. And one more advantage is that they are light, do not take up much space and therefore are a very good choice of food for tourists and athletes.

A general hierarchy of fruits according to their antioxidant content is given by a research team from Tufts State University, focusing on their ability to absorb free radicals, without dividing fruits into fresh and dried fruits.

Here's the top of the list: prunes, raisins, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, plums, oranges, grapes, cherries. For some reason, however, this study doesn't include figs, and its dried version, according to a publication in the Journal of American Nutrition, even displaces prunes from the top spot.

Undoubtedly, for purely practical reasons, small fruits that can be dried whole or cut in half became the stars of the group. Another reason can be found in the fact that the "classic five" consists of the most typical fruits from the lands around the Caspian Sea, the Middle East and North Africa, where food culture has had the greatest influence.

However, dried apples, pears, quince, cherries, berries and Exotic fruits are also very important place in cooking, and they also boast excellent taste, a bouquet of useful qualities and opportunities in the kitchen.

The benefits of dried fruits for the body

Dried fruits contain a lot of useful substances, vitamins, minerals, biologically active substances that have health benefits, allowing you to stay young longer.

All, without exception, dried fruits are used by traditional medicine to cure ailments. So:

For constipation make a mixture of prunes (400 g) and a glass of honey. The fruit is finely cut and mixed with honey, and this mixture is eaten every evening in one or two teaspoons. You can drink water.
With arrhythmia help is provided by dried apricots and raisins. Dried apricots can be mixed with kefir, and raisins too. Chopped fruits, pre-soaked, are cut into small pieces and added to kefir, up to three tablespoons per glass. Drink the drug arbitrarily, during the day. The minerals contained in fruits, especially potassium and magnesium, have a beneficial effect on heart function.
With low hemoglobin helps a mixture of their dried apricots, prunes, raisins and nuts. Dry foods are combined in equal proportions, for example, a glass, of each fruit. After grinding, honey and one or two lemons are added. Fruit-honey mixture is used for up to two weeks, eating two tablespoons a day.
For insomnia resort to the help of dates. The dates are washed well, soaked in a soda solution, for 30 minutes, removing the seeds, rubbed and poured with boiling water in a thermos. After insisting, drink the infusion before going to bed.

The benefits and harms of losing weight

Dried berries and fruits contain a large amount of hexose and fructose, glucose and fiber, and little sugar.

For dieters, these products provide invaluable body support, allowing you to replace sugar, candy and everything sweet. If they are used in small portions when losing weight, then their calorie content will not be harmful, and the benefits will be palpable.

The most popular for weight loss are dates and prunes, apples and pineapple, dried apricots and figs. They are eaten on their own and added to cereals, boiled, compote and dessert are prepared.

Nutritionists consider five-day diets on dried fruits and nuts to be useful and effective. In combination with nuts, the feeling of satiety is preserved for long time. In addition, health is strengthened due to the chemicals contained in nuts. And memory is supported, and thinking, the work of the heart and the nervous system, the genitourinary system and the bone. The body is cleansed of toxins and toxins and weight is slightly reduced.

Dried fruits the norm per day, how much you can eat

Helpful advice. Therefore, before using dried fruits for cooking or just enjoying them, soak them in water for two hours. Even better with the addition baking soda which neutralizes all harmful impurities. After that, rinse thoroughly and pour over with boiling water.

The appearance of dried fruits is very deceptive. After all, their volume is small, in comparison with fresh fruits. When arranging a snack with dry fruits, you need to remember this, that a small portion of this product in terms of energy value can be equal to a double serving of potatoes.

Judge for yourself, since fresh grapes contain 70 kcal per 100 g, and raisins in the same amount already have 280 kcal.

apricot - 70 and dried apricots - 240,
plum - 40, and prunes - 260,
pear 45, and dried - 250,
cherry - 60, dried - 290,
apples - 45, dried apples - 230.

How fruits are dried

Dried fruit production technology provides for one of the drying options:

Under sunbeams outdoors(the longest, most labor-intensive and rarely used commercially option);
Freeze Drying- includes 2 stages: freezing (instant shock freezing) and final drying (sublimation, deicing). This method provides the highest safety of biologically important and valuable components. But obtaining dried fruits in this way is extremely financially expensive, so it is also used infrequently.
Convective and infrared drying. In the first case, a hot drying agent - air or a vapor-gas mixture transfers its heat to the fruits, as a result of which they heat up and begin to lose moisture, and with it - most of the vitamins and biologically active substances. Dried fruits obtained in this way change color, taste and natural aroma. In the second case, the removal of moisture by means of infrared radiation occurs at a low temperature (40-60 degrees Celsius). At the same time, a maximum of vitamins, microelements, as well as an attractive appearance, the smell of fruits and berries.

Unlike convective drying, infrared drying does not require additional suppression of the primary microflora of the finished product. But equipment for infrared drying is technologically more complex and expensive, therefore, in the production of dried fruits, convection drying chambers are the most common. Consequently, the lion's share of dried fruits on supermarket shelves is obtained using the convective drying method, which means it has less nutritional value than fresh fruits and berries.

Culinary traditions

The oldest mention of dried fruit is in Mesopotamian cuneiform tablets, which contain a written recipe discovered by archaeologists. In all the ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean, dried fruits are part of the culinary tradition and are invariably present at rich holidays.

IN medieval Europe they also became an important ingredient on the menu, especially for the wealthy and aristocrats, who ate various pies stuffed with beef stuffed with prunes and dates, salted fish cooked with figs and raisins, and poultry with stone fruits.

In Armenia, Turkey and all countries of the Middle East and the Maghreb, where the culture of dried fruits is especially strong, they cook lamb with prunes, apricots, almonds, honey and spices, and chicken with prunes, quince, figs or raisins.

The inclusion of fruits such as prunes, apricots, raisins, and many others in meat and game dishes adds to their exceptional character and nobility of taste. The sweet flavor shouldn't overpower but adds depth and tenderness to the meat - the secret is just the right balance of ingredients and spices.

Many people cringe at the thought of beef or mutton with prunes, for example, but no sane person would disdain such dishes if they are well and skillfully prepared. Moroccan lamb tagine with prunes is one of the most appetizing dishes of the rich cuisine of the Maghreb.

Fresh berries of course tasty food, but they are seasonal and it is not recommended to eat cherries or melons in January, as they travel thousands of miles to reach us, which means that they were picked while still unripe and treated with chemicals to prolong their usefulness. Therefore, dried fruits are beautiful way to replace the missing fresh seasonal and local fruits.

The most popular dried fruits

Raisin

It is an ideal substitute for sugar for people leading a healthy lifestyle and diet, especially since, in addition to vitamins and other micronutrients, it contains a lot of boron, which prevents the development of osteoporosis, because calcium absorption from the body is impaired in its absence. Together with dates, it has the highest concentration of sugars (67 g / 100 g dried fruit).

And since the sweetness in raisins is balanced by the acids in the grapes, they are an eternal star in dried fruits and are indispensable for confectionery. For salt-free cuisine, raisins are also an extremely interesting ingredient. In lean dishes such as cabbage rolls, stuffed peppers or other rice dishes, it adds character and integrity to the taste, and various pies or poultry dishes become more tender and noble with a handful of raisins.

More than 750,000 tons of raisins are consumed worldwide annually. There are two main technologies for drying raisins - with or without immersion of grapes in hot water or alkaline solution and drying in the sun or in special dryers. The most beneficial, both economically and for health, is drying the grapes in the sun. In many countries, raisins are produced by air drying grapes in plastic-coated greenhouses.

figs

The dried version of these divine tropical and subtropical fruits is also full of useful substances - figs are 3-4 times richer in calcium than other dried fruits. This ancient fruit is combined in a surprisingly tasty and interesting way with boiled pork, pork, duck and goose liver, with any poultry meat, as well as with soft cheeses.

Ricotta, mascarpone, brie, camembert or gorgonzola become richer in taste and contrast. In confectionery, figs also have a huge number of applications, most commonly used for filling various platters and cakes.

Dates

Dried dates have a very high nutritional value, contain about 250 kcal per 100 g of product, but are filled not only with sugars (mainly glucose and fructose), but also with valuable minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and vitamins - especially groups A and B.

For Libyans, a few dates, along with a glass of milk, are completely enough for dinner, and during Ramadan, after a day of abstinence, many Muslims strengthen their bodies with dates or syrup from them. These desert fruits are the perfect breakfast for athletes - not only do they provide fast energy, but the high amount of magnesium in them supports muscle activity.

A great dessert on its own, stuffed with almond paste, dates can be a real masterpiece of sweet taste. The combination of dates and aromatic cheeses such as gorgonzola, aged pecorino or goat cheese should not be overlooked.

Apricot

Orange "ears", as dried apricots are called in some languages, contain twice as much potassium as figs, raisins and dates and are the richest of the whole group in vitamin A, vitamin B5. Therefore, it is recommended for heart disease and anemia, thyroid gland. Thanks to organic acids and pectins, toxic substances are removed and bowel function improves.

On the other hand, they are the poorest in sugars and, together with prunes, are the most saturated with healthy fibers, which turn them into a golden food.

They are one of the tastiest and most culinary dried fruits, and according to many experts, drying only emphasizes and even enhances their taste. Apricot takes its rightful place in countless cakes, pastries and dishes without salt, such as Moroccan tagini, North Indian curry, Iranian steam, Uzbek pilaf or South African barbecue sauces. It goes especially well with the taste of chicken, pork and mackerel.

Prunes

It holds the lead in the content of fibers, which makes them the most valuable for digestion and peristalsis. The first one is the presence of antioxidant polyphenols, that is, they are important for preventing the formation of cancer cells, while being beneficial to the health of the entire skeletal system.

Affects a change in mood in a positive direction, maintaining the health of the nerves, increases hemoglobin in the blood and helps to remove harmful substances and slag. Due to its high calorie content, it is not recommended to eat it in large quantities; up to 10 dried plums per day are considered the norm.

Perhaps it is prunes that are the most typical and favorite culinary addition to dishes in the south of our country. In places where plum trees grow freely, for centuries prunes have been used during the winter holidays not only to make sweets, but also for rather lean and meat dishes. It goes surprisingly well not only with beef, lamb and game, but also with vegetarian meat, stew with leeks and prunes can be for real inspiring.

Prunes originate from the lands of the Caspian Sea and cooking with them is most typical for Asian countries, Moroccan, Afghan, Armenian and Greek cuisine. For Hungarians and Austrians, however, recipes with prunes are also an indigenous part of them. national cuisine. We have beef with prunes, this dish is typical mainly for the Transcaucasian regions, so it's hard to say whether it is original or came to our menu from the Greeks, Armenians or Turkey.

The group of other dried fruits is very extensive and it should be borne in mind that all of them are extremely beneficial for the human body, and are also a noble ingredient in cooking. Wild berries, from blueberries and chokeberries to raspberries, are full of antioxidants in their dried version, and because of the perfect balance between sweet, sour and tart flavors, they make an excellent addition to game, duck or goose dishes.

Good company for poultry, especially ducks, dried cherries and sweet cherries. Some time ago, new "stars" appeared in the diet departments of supermarkets, extremely healthy goji berries from China.

Traditions, problems and harm to the body

Unfortunately, even when it comes to such valuable natural products, some serious problems must also be raised. Yes, dried fruits are tasty and healthy food, but only if dried properly, if they are not processed with chemicals and without added sugar.

For thousands of years, fruits have been dried either in the sun or in an air stream in special ventilated buildings - dryers or in wind tunnels. Still in use today traditional methods, but large firms have state-of-the-art drying facilities, and home appliances are now available on the market that do the job perfectly.

The market is full of shiny golden raisins, bright orange dried apricots and super sweet meaty dates. Just keep in mind that dried fruits must look like "ugly ducklings".

The attractive appearance is most often the result of apricots and raisins being exposed to sulfur dioxide, an artificial antioxidant. This improves appearance, prevents discoloration, guarantees antibacterial protection and extends shelf life.

Dried fruits are the only food that contains a high concentration of sulfur dioxide. And if the majority of consumers do not notice any negative influence on your body after a handful of such fruits, then a small percentage of them (in particular, asthmatics) may be sensitive. Sulfur dioxide can cause headaches, breathing problems, itchy skin, and even heart problems.

Plums, apricots and raisins are sometimes dried using the accelerated method in gasoline or gas ovens at a high temperature, and their taste acquires a shade of gasoline, it cracks on the surface of the fruit and the useful substances in them disappear.

Another method of "achievement" of our civilization is to soak prunes in olive oil using glycerin - the goal, of course, is to get an appetizing shine and soft appearance.

Some of the dried fruits on the market such as cranberries, pineapple, mango, papaya, pear and others are not actually real dried fruits, but candied candied fruits that are then dried.

The good news is that manufacturers can no longer hide what they offer, so labels on labels are accurate. When buying dried fruits in bulk, we must require Additional information about their origin and processing method, which merchants are obliged to provide. If you trust your feelings, then you should not forget: high-quality and safe dried fruits have an unattractive appearance. They are dark and shriveled, but full of flavor and nutrients.

Harm of dried fruits

In any useful product, you can find negative properties that can harm the body. Dry fruits in the process of drying lose their main component - water.

Some experts tend to argue that this process increases the amount of sugar. If in an apricot of medium ripeness up to 20% sugar, then dried apricots already contain up to 60%. Therefore, this factor can, after eating the fruit, lead to such harmful properties:

An increase in blood sugar. With the excessive use of dried apricots, raisins and other dried fruits and berries, a load is created on the pancreas, which actively begins to produce insulin, which is responsible for normalizing blood sugar.

Promotes dehydration. Fruits and berries are mainly composed of water. Drying removes moisture, and therefore a significant part of the mass of the fruit. Blueberries, for example, contain 85% water. Therefore, 80 g of dry blueberries is equivalent to 148 g of fresh berries. This means that 80 grams of dried blueberries will provide more nutrients than the equivalent weight of fresh blueberries. This pattern is typical for all fruits and berries. This aspect can be viewed both positively and negatively. Getting more vitamins and minerals gives you more sugar and less water.

A dry product, getting into the stomach and intestines, draws water from the cells of the body, because the digestion and assimilation of food takes place in a liquid environment. This process can lead to dehydration and an increase in toxins in the body.

Helpful advice. Due to the property of dry foods entering the stomach to draw water from the body, it is necessary to drink plenty of water to maintain water balance. 30-40 minutes after eating dried fruits.

Creation of a favorable sphere for the reproduction of yeast fungi. An imbalance in the body due to increased sugar can give rise to yeast living in the intestines. The main symptom of their rapid reproduction is the formation of gases in the intestines and bloating.

Increased proliferation of bacteria in the mouth. All dehydrated foods are extremely sticky, immediately stick to the teeth and are degraded by bacteria living in the oral cavity. This process leads to an increase in acidity, which damages the enamel of the teeth.

Drying fruit - effective method their processing, helping to preserve valuable biologically important components in composition. But the use of sulfur dioxide and sugar in the production process of most dried fruits is potentially dangerous. Dried fruits, the benefits and harms of which are discussed in the article, should be used in food in reasonable quantities, with preliminary soaking. It is advisable to look for pure fruits without additives on sale, although they are less common and much more expensive.

Health to you, dear readers!

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 belong to the oriental types of sweets. However, many people liked such dishes very much and became widespread, 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 following types of products have received the greatest popularity:

dried pitted apricots (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, dried apricot is rich in calcium, iron and phosphorus, as well as vitamin B5. Therefore, it is prescribed in the treatment of anemia, visual impairment, diseases of the heart 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 are an adjuvant in the 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 a long 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 eating, dried fruits should be soaked for 1-2 hours to dissolve the sulfur dioxide absorbed into the products. Caustic soda is sometimes used in the manufacture of prunes and raisins. All this is done to give them a presentation. 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), instant oatmeal (150 g) and cranberries (50 g). The order of preparation is as follows.

Peel bananas 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 a variety of dishes. And not just desserts. For example, dried fruit soup is extremely good. The use of dried products has a healing effect on the human body, and, moreover, dried fruits diversify the diet.

Dried fruits are becoming more and more popular. It is very difficult to keep fruits and berries fresh for a long time. Therefore, all surpluses of fresh fruits and berries must be stored for autumn and winter. winter period. One of these methods is the drying of fruits and berries.

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Nutritional properties, unique composition and long shelf life have made dried fruits one of the most popular products. But are they really that perfect? And how to choose high-quality dried fruits?

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, a high concentration of glucose, fructose, fiber, magnesium, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iodine, iron, sodium. This chemical composition makes them extremely beneficial for cardiovascular and central health. 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 of 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?

Our life should not be a continuous limitation. It is better to indulge in sweets in the morning and choose the safest sweets for the figure - dark chocolate, dried fruits, honey, berry mousses.

Beware of chemical dried fruits!

In industrial settings, dried fruits can be treated with chemicals to give the desired color and to protect 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 fruit that has rot or mold.

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

Learn more about the health benefits of the most popular types of dried fruits.

Dried apricots. 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.

How dried apricots are processed

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. The high content of potassium and magnesium in raisins strengthens the heart myocardium, helps to normalize blood pressure. Raisins are not recommended for people with ulcerative lesions of the gastroduodenal region.

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Prunes. Contains mild laxatives, dietary fiber, organic acids, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, vitamins A, groups B, C, PP. A good remedy for constipation and effectively cleanses the body. Prunes have a choleretic and diuretic effect. Increases the production of gastric juice and increases 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.

For constipation during pregnancy: at night a glass of kefir, in the morning on an empty stomach - tomato (apricot, peach, plum) juice. Black bread, sunflower oil, dried apricots, prunes, beets and squash caviar.

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 the prevention of depression and help strengthen the muscles of the uterus. People with chronic diseases gastrointestinal tract and kidney stones, it is 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 functioning of the digestive, nervous, circulatory systems, kidneys 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.

Source

Since childhood, everyone is familiar with delicious and healthy dried fruit compote. They began to dry fruits in ancient times: they were taken with them on military campaigns, they were stocked up for the winter, and they were also treated, because the properties and nutritional value dried fruit is higher than fresh. What are the benefits of dried fruits for the body?

Despite the fact that dried fruits are very high in calories, nutritionists recommend including them in the menu for weight loss. The essence of the diet is based on the replacement of sugar and desserts with dried fruits. This method allows you to significantly reduce the volume of the body and tighten the skin in a month.

Any fruit can be dried. However, the following dried fruits are the most common and useful in our time.

Dried apricots or dried apricots are leaders in the content of vitamins, micro and macro elements among dried fruits. This product is indispensable for diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Dried apricots can regulate the amount of cholesterol in the blood and lower blood pressure. It is used in the treatment of diuretics, constipation. Dried apricots help improve eyesight, refresh complexion, strengthen hair. For the prevention of many diseases, it is enough to eat 4 pieces per day.
Prunes. Prevents diseases of the digestive system, improves metabolism in the body. Just 5 fruits a day is enough to improve general state and well-being. Dried plum is used as an antimicrobial agent for infections in the oral cavity.
Dry apples and pears. These dried fruits have a beneficial effect on the digestive system, improve kidney function, and reduce bad cholesterol in the blood. Dried pears and apples should definitely be included in the menu during the cold season to strengthen immunity.
Figs. Strengthens the heart and vascular walls, restores heart rhythm, thins the blood. Figs help to cope even with severe constipation, has a diuretic effect, reduces pressure. This fruit stimulates mental thinking, therefore it is shown to people engaged in creative activities.
Dates. Well cleanse the body of poisons. They help to recover from diseases of the respiratory system, diseases of the joints, kidney ailments. Dates reduce the risk of cancer, improve brain function. 8-12 fruits per day should be eaten in case of sleep disturbance and heavy mental work.
Raisin. Dried grapes have a lot of advantages. It strengthens the immune system, prevents anemia, improves vision, helps maintain the health of the genital organs, helps to cope with nervous overexcitation, fever, and weakness. Raisins must be present in the diet of those who are engaged in hard physical labor or professional sports.

Dried fruits and their beneficial features used to make homemade beauty masks. All dried fruits contain a lot of vitamins and minerals that help make the skin well-groomed, toned, healthy. With the help of dried fruit masks, you can also improve your hair: make it stronger, more elastic and radiant.

Studying dried fruits, their benefits and harms, experts found that this product is potentially dangerous for the body. These are industrial-scale dried fruits that use unsafe technologies and toxic chemicals. They do this to speed up the drying process, increase the shelf life, and give the fruits a presentation.

Most often, fruits are dried in gas and gasoline ovens. Their surface cracks and absorbs carcinogens that harm all human organs. You can distinguish such dried fruits by cracks in the skin and an unpleasant odor.

To extend the shelf life, fruits are most often treated with sulfur dioxide and caustic soda. These substances are used in non-food industries, they are dangerous for the human body: they destroy the mucous membrane of the digestive organs, cause poisoning. To give fruits a beautiful look, they are often smeared with glycerin, dyes and sugar syrup - compounds that also harm the body.

In addition to dangerous chemicals, dried fruits have pathogenic bacteria on their surface. To prevent intestinal infection, dried fruit must be thoroughly washed. Regular washing in running water will not be enough. To wash the dirt, germs and chemicals out of all the bumps, you need to soak the dried fruit, changing the water several times. Soaked fruits will straighten the skin, and all harmful substances can be easily removed.

Dried fruits, despite their small volume, contain more calories and carbohydrates than fresh fruit. A snack with a handful of dried apricots is comparable in energy value to eating a plate fried potatoes. In order not to gain extra pounds or not to exceed the upper limit of blood sugar, you need to eat dried fruits in small portions.

Contraindications

Dried fruits are contraindicated for:

obesity
allergies, including fresh fruit;
diabetes mellitus;
ulcer.

Can pregnant and lactating women

In the first trimester of pregnancy, dried fruits should always be included in the diet of the expectant mother. They are indispensable for toxicosis: a handful of dried apricots or raisins blocks nausea, and also compensates for lost nutrients and vitamins during severe vomiting. It is convenient to take dried fruits with you to snack on them and prevent bouts of severe hunger that often accompany pregnant women. In the second half, high-calorie fruits should be discarded if the expectant mother is rapidly gaining weight.

At breastfeeding dried fruits will help to fill the deficiency of nutrients in the body exhausted by childbirth. They will also provide the necessary elements for a growing child. Unlike fresh fruits, dried fruits are available all year round, so a nursing woman can always supplement her diet with them.

Dried apples contain the following vitamins:

Source

Fresh fruits lose their properties when stored for a long time. useful qualities and over time become unappetizing. It is especially difficult to store them in winter time when you really want freshness and vitamins. Dried fruits come to the rescue during this period, which are not only easy to prepare, but also full of vitamins, minerals and healthy carbohydrates. Unlike a fresh product, dried fruit can be stored for a long time, it is quite capable of replacing fresh fruit, and besides, you can cook a lot of dishes from it.

What are the types of dried fruits

The technology of preparation of this product has been going on since ancient times, it is considered that the birthplace of dried fruit is the Middle East and Asia Minor. It was there that they learned how to process a lot of berries and fruits, while maintaining their beneficial properties.

Over time, as a result of selection and palatability, began to distinguish several main types of dried fruits:

The number of these species only grows over time, since many other dried preparations are practiced in home cooking, for example, berries of any variety, peaches, rose hips and much more.

Drying technologies differ from each other depending on the product. Nevertheless, dried fruits are frequent guests on the tables of consumers, which makes this product popular.

How to use

Before choosing a dried fruit, you need to know a few rules, as well as measures and recommendations for consumption. Often this product does not pose a danger, but only with the right selection of dried fruits and normalized use.

You need to choose dry fruits very carefully. Pay attention to the appearance of the fruit: if the color is too bright and saturated, this indicates that the dried fruit has been chemically treated or it has been treated with glycerin more than once.
Do not mix dried fruits with other foods. It is better to use it as an independent product or combine it with dairy products. For example, yogurt or cottage cheese is an excellent base for dried fruits.
Be interested in what method certain fruits were dried. High production technology will ensure the quality of the product and its appearance.
Many dieters who are trying to lose weight make the mistake of recklessly using dried fruit in the hope that it will not get better. This product is quite high-calorie and satisfying, it is very easy to get better from it if you eat constantly in unlimited quantities.
Dried fruits are great for making compotes and other drinks. Therefore, it is better to use them in recipes that involve the presence of a large amount of water. Then the fruits will reveal their taste, fill with moisture and taste good.

How to prepare so that they are useful

It is worth thinking about the preparation of dried fruits in the summer, so that there is a sufficient variety of berries and fruits. Preparing such a delicacy at home is not difficult and does not require special cash costs.

The essence of the process is the evaporation of moisture from a fruit or berry. There are several methods:

Natural drying or drying in the sun. This requires dry, not rainy weather. It is necessary to lay the fruit on a flat, dry surface in a thin layer. Organize maximum air circulation so that your workpieces do not rot, for example, leave them to dry in a well-ventilated place. In the evening, it is recommended to take the fruit to a dry room from the street, since at night the humidity is much higher and you risk spoiling the whole process. Care must be taken to protect fruits from insects. At least once a day, the fruit must be turned over so that it dries evenly on all sides.

In the presence of special dryers or in ovens. This method does not require a long time and can be combined with drying outside if you have a large amount of fruit. First, rinse the fruits and berries, then let them dry. Place the food in the oven or dryer and check its condition periodically. Dryers are inexpensive and can be purchased at any kitchen utensils store.

Beneficial features

Dried fruits are unique in that after the drying process they retain all their vitamins and minerals, while fresh fruits lose their beneficial qualities after heat treatment.

This product has a positive effect on the body, because it contains a large amount of vitamins, organic acids and fiber.

They are able to remove toxins from the body, thereby stabilizing the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract. It is rational to use them for people with work aimed at mental activity.

Complex of vitamins and calories

Dried fruits contain the following vitamins and minerals:

vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, PP;
minerals: iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium;
healthy carbohydrates: sucrose, glucose, fructose, etc.

Dried fruits are a high-calorie product. Depending on the dried fruits and berries, its calorie content varies.

Source

What dried fruits can be eaten, and which ones must be strictly strictly avoided? How and why do dried fruits turn from a useful product into an enemy of a slim figure?

Dried fruits - harm, not good

Most people perceive dried fruits as the right snack, with which you can even lose weight. Their logic is that if fresh fruit is healthy, then so is dried fruit. As a result, dried fruits are often consumed as a dietary product.

However, due to the coating with sugar syrup, most dried fruits are more correctly considered sweets, and due to their characteristics industrial production instead of the original vitamins, only pesticides and preservatives remain in them. Only very, very few dried fruits can be considered healthy.

How are raisins and figs made?

Nearly all raisins and dried apricots sold in regular supermarkets are treated with sulfur dioxide (labeled as E220) to extend their shelf life and give them a pleasant golden yellow color (1) . Remember that natural raisins and dried apricots always have Brown color, in not gold at all.

Figs (dried figs), in turn, are most often processed with cheap vegetable oils, which protect against spoilage and overdrying, and also give a characteristic shine. Special mention also requires how dried fruits are made - or rather, how they get rid of vitamins in them.

How many vitamins are in dried fruits?

The traditional "manual" method of making dried fruit is sun-drying, but more productive (and faster) methods are always used on an industrial scale. Most often, the removal of water from fruits is carried out in dehydrators - special drying chambers.

In dehydrators, drying is carried out either with warm air flows (temperature from 30 to 70 ° C and above), or by infrared radiation - such processing leads to a significant loss of vitamin C. As a result, vitamins of group B remain in dried fruits, and in quantities, dozens of times lower than in cereals.

How are dried fruits made?

Many fruits (primarily pineapple, mango, kiwi, papaya, ginger, strawberries and other berries) lose their shape when dried - as a result, they do not dry at all, but caramelize in sugar syrup. It should be noted that the share of sugar in the final product can reach a significant 70-80%.

Bananas are fried before drying. vegetable oil(most often in cheap sunflower or rapeseed), and then treated with phenols to preserve color. In addition, absolutely all dried fruits are treated with detergents, pesticide vapors and preservatives.

Chemical additives in dried fruits

The national food standards of most countries (including Russian GOSTs) require the chemical treatment of dried fruits, as this allows bacteria to be killed and shelf life to be increased. For example, dried apricots and figs must be treated with a solution of sulfuric acid, and grapes must be soaked in alkali.

In theory, the concentrations of these substances are strictly specified, and the recommended dosages are unambiguously safe for humans. However, when buying cheap dried fruits "by weight", you do not even know in which country they were produced, and whether the food standards were observed by an unknown manufacturer.

Raw materials for dried fruits

Dried fruit technology is primarily used to minimize the losses of the production industry. Fruits that lose their presentation due to partial rotting or mechanical deterioration are cut into pieces, processed with chemicals and dried (or caramelized in sugar syrup).

At the same time, the cheaper dried fruits are, the more questions arise for them - it is naive to believe that the manufacturer began to work at a loss. Most likely, something happened to the batch of "raw" fruits, it was urgently processed into dried fruits, and then they tried to sell it as quickly as possible.

First, buy only those dried fruits that are obtained by drying, and not by caramelization. First of all, these are raisins, figs, dried apricots, prunes, apples and pears. Avoid dried pineapple, kiwi and other exotic fruits. Dried bananas are acceptable, but depending on the oil used.

Secondly, study the packaging and choose only those dried fruits that are clearly labeled as "bio" - this ensures that the production technology has reduced the use of chemicals to a minimum. Third, don't buy unspecified dried fruit mixes - if necessary, mix them yourself.

The vast majority of dried fruits are either fruits candied to the state of sweets, or substandard production residues rich in chemistry. High-quality dried fruits are expensive and are always labeled "bio" - it is impossible to accidentally buy such a product in a regular market or in a supermarket.

Source

Dried fruits are becoming more and more popular. It is very difficult to keep fruits and berries fresh for a long time. Therefore, all surpluses of fresh fruits and berries must be stored for the autumn and winter. One of these methods is the drying of fruits and berries.

Fruits and berries play a very important role in human nutrition. Fruits and berries are rich in vitamins, organic acids and mineral salts, trace elements, sugars and many other useful substances. It is their useful substances that determine their important dietary, preventive and therapeutic value.

What is dried fruit? Drying is one way to harvest fruits, berries and vegetables for future use. Drying differs from traditional drying in technology: drying takes place at more low temperatures, not higher than 65%, and a certain technology of preparation before drying. With this method of preservation, as drying, most of all the nutrients and nutrients are preserved.

This method of preserving fresh fruits, vegetables and berries was developed for industrial production. But it can also be successfully used at home.

Almost all fruits, berries and vegetables can be dried at home. But it is more rational, of course, to use those fruits, berries and vegetables that have a denser texture for drying. The drying process consists of two stages: first, the juice is separated, and then the fruits are dried in drying cabinets. At home, such a drying cabinet can be replaced by an oven or an electric fruit dryer. Thanks to this technology of drying fruits, vegetables and berries, you can get two valuable products: juice and dried fruits, vegetables and berries.

Dried or dried, fruits take up little space. To prepare dried fruits for the future, you do not need to spend as much time as, for example, when cooking jam. And the field of application of dried fruits is much wider than the same jam or compote.

Dried fruits, berries can be consumed like ordinary dried fruits without any additional heat treatment. Dried fruits and berries can be used to make fillings for pies, desserts, salads and many other dishes.

In the autumn-winter period, when there are no seasonal fruits and berries in the store, dried fruits will help maintain the necessary supply of vitamins and minerals in the body, which is so necessary at this time of the year.

What are the benefits of dried fruits and berries

When drying fruits and berries, in view of the fact that the processing of products takes place at lower temperatures, they almost completely retain all useful material: vitamins, carbohydrates, mineral salts and other elements. This is a natural source of replenishment of the body with useful substances necessary for normal life.

Dried fruits and berries can be consumed by people on a diet. Although dried fruits and berries are sweeter, this is not the sugar that we put in tea or coffee. And you can eat dried fruits at any time of the day.

Dried foods can replace the same sweets, and there will be much more benefits in this.

Dried fruits and berries are a good way to replenish your body with the necessary nutrients and vitamins. This is especially true for children and pregnant women.

Dried fruits are widely used in cooking. It is not necessary to cook compote with them, just pour water over it and let the drink brew for 1.5-2 hours.

What is the harm from dried fruits and berries

Dried fruits and berries can be consumed by almost all people and children. The only thing to remember is that this is still a high-calorie product.

Virtually all industrial dried foods are treated with sulfur. Therefore, when using, be sure to rinse fruits and berries well.

People suffering from high blood sugar should eat dried foods, in which the sugar content is not more than 10%.

The use of dried fruits and berries should be abandoned for some other diseases, for example, allergies to certain foods. Therefore, you need to consult a doctor.

How to choose and store dried fruits and berries

When buying dried fruits and berries in a package, you need to pay attention to the label. On it, the manufacturer is obliged to indicate which preservatives the fruits were processed with. Your choice should be stopped on the packaging, where there are no instructions on the use of preservatives.

You should not buy fruits and berries with a bright, as if luminous, amber color. Most likely, such fruits for better storage were treated with sulfur dioxide.

If there are at least some signs of mold, you should refuse to buy such dried fruits and berries.

Dried fruits and berries should be stored in closed glass jars or paper bags. Paper bags need to be placed with cellophane bags. In this package, they can be stored for more than a year.

Prayer before starting any work

Heavenly King, Comforter, Soul of Truth, Who is everywhere and fills everything, Treasury of good things and Giver of life, come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from all filth, and save, O Blessed, our souls.
Bless, Lord, and help me, a sinner, to complete the work I begin, to Your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of Your Father without Beginning, You said with Your pure lips that without Me you can do nothing. My Lord, Lord, by faith the volume in my soul and heart spoken by You, I bow to Your goodness: help me, a sinner, this work that I begin, do about You, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, with the prayers of the Mother of God and all Your saints . Amen.

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Prayer at the end of the case

Thou art the fulfillment of all good things, O my Christ, fill my soul with joy and gladness, and save me, as one is the Most Merciful, Lord, glory to Thee.
It is worthy to eat as if truly blessed Theotokos, Blessed and Immaculate and Mother of our God. The most honest Cherubim and the most glorious without comparison Seraphim, without the corruption of God the Word, who gave birth to the real Mother of God, we magnify Thee.

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 have 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 the normal functioning of the heart, brain, nervous system and muscles. Dried fruits have a cleansing effect on the intestines (one prunes is worth something). They perfectly fight the increased acidity of the 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 are 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. Helps fight colds and reduce stress.

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

Peach useful for those who suffer from diseases of cardio-vascular system and kidneys.

Dried apricots- this is not only an excellent general tonic, this dried fruit helps prevent and alleviate anemia, heart disease and gastrointestinal diseases, and also improves eyesight. The constant use of 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 of the 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 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 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, the glycemic index of dried fruits is low and does not sharply 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, and there can be no talk of saturation and brightness. Beautiful color is achieved only through chemistry. So, golden figs, bright orange dried apricots and amber-colored 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 dangerous substances are strictly specified, and the recommended doses in theory should not cause harm. But are you willing to take the risk own health, 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.

Dried fruits can be burnt to speed up drying, which gives them a gasoline flavor and promotes 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 gives the product extra sweetness and calorie content.

So, when choosing dried fruits, pay attention to:

unnatural 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. Soak dried fruits for 20-25 minutes in water before eating. 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 sold in large quantities 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 are 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.

Since childhood, everyone is familiar with delicious and healthy dried fruit compote. They began to dry fruits in ancient times: they were taken with them on military campaigns, they were stocked up for the winter, and they were also treated, because the properties and nutritional value of dried fruits are higher than fresh ones. What are the benefits of dried fruits for the body?

Benefit

Any fruit can be dried. However, the following dried fruits are the most common and useful in our time.

or dry apricot - the leader in the content of vitamins, micro and macro elements among dried fruits. This product is indispensable for diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Dried apricots can regulate the amount of cholesterol in the blood and lower blood pressure. It is used in the treatment of diuretics, constipation. Dried apricots help improve eyesight, refresh complexion, strengthen hair. For the prevention of many diseases, it is enough to eat 4 pieces per day.
. Prevents diseases of the digestive system, improves metabolism in the body. Just 5 fruits a day is enough to improve overall health and well-being. Dried plum is used as an antimicrobial agent for infections in the oral cavity.
and pears. These dried fruits have a beneficial effect on the digestive system, improve kidney function, and reduce bad cholesterol in the blood. Dried pears and apples should definitely be included in the menu during the cold season to strengthen immunity.
. Strengthens the heart and vascular walls, restores heart rhythm, thins the blood. Figs help to cope even with severe constipation, has a diuretic effect, reduces pressure. This fruit stimulates mental thinking, therefore it is shown to people engaged in creative activities.
. Well cleanse the body of poisons. They help to recover from diseases of the respiratory system, diseases of the joints, kidney ailments. Dates reduce the risk of cancer, improve brain function. 8-12 fruits per day should be eaten in case of sleep disturbance and heavy mental work.
. Dried grapes have a lot of advantages. It strengthens the immune system, prevents anemia, improves vision, helps maintain the health of the genital organs, helps to cope with nervous overexcitation, fever, and weakness. Raisins must be present in the diet of those who are engaged in hard physical labor or professional sports.

Dried fruits and their beneficial properties are used to make beauty masks at home. All dried fruits contain a lot of vitamins and minerals that help make the skin well-groomed, toned, healthy. With the help of dried fruit masks, you can also improve your hair: make it stronger, more elastic and radiant.

Harm

In addition to dangerous chemicals, dried fruits have pathogenic bacteria on their surface. To prevent intestinal infection, dried fruit must be thoroughly washed. Regular washing in running water will not be enough. To wash the dirt, germs and chemicals out of all the bumps, you need to soak the dried fruit, changing the water several times. Soaked fruits will straighten the skin, and all harmful substances can be easily removed.

Dried fruits, despite their small volume, contain more calories and carbohydrates than fresh fruit. Snacking on a handful of dried apricots is comparable in energy value to eating a plate of fried potatoes. In order not to gain extra pounds or not to exceed the upper limit of blood sugar, you need to eat dried fruits in small portions.

Contraindications

Dried fruits are contraindicated for:

obesity
allergies, including fresh fruit;
diabetes mellitus;
ulcer.

Can pregnant and lactating women

When breastfeeding, dried fruits will help to fill the deficiency of nutrients in the body, exhausted by childbirth. They will also provide the necessary elements for a growing child. Unlike fresh fruits, dried fruits are available all year round, so a breastfeeding woman can always supplement her diet with them.

Compound

Dried apples contain the following vitamins:

How to cook

Storage

How to choose

To get dried fruits that are really useful for the body, you need to choose those that were dried in the sun or in the shade (most importantly, in the open air) without treatment with chemicals. Fruits harvested in this way will not look very appetizing: small, wrinkled, darkened. However, it is these dried fruits that will be truly useful and will not harm the body.

What is combined with

Dried fruits go well with a variety of dishes. Together with nuts and a fermented milk drink, they make a healthy dinner. Dried fruits can be added to any cereal: you get a delicious and nutritious breakfast. Prunes are served with meat: it helps to digest the protein product faster. The natural sweetness of dried fruits makes it possible to prepare pastries without adding sugar.

Dried fruits are called dried fruits. They are able to preserve the maximum number of useful properties of fresh fruits. So a person has learned to replenish the reserves of vitamins throughout the year. But there are certain rules for taking dried fruits - due to their high concentration, their use should be moderate, and the fruits themselves need to be soaked a little before consumption.

What to do with dried fruit compote, does it give benefits or harm? If you simply pour dried fruits with boiling water and insist the mixture under the lid, you will get a storehouse of vitamins, because the fruits will give their beneficial properties to the water. And if you add sugar at the same time, then the fruit will lose its beneficial properties. If you want to sweeten the compote, then add a little honey to it. Compote, cooked on fire, completely eliminates useful substances from dried fruits.

Dried fruits can be beneficial and harmful to the body. They are recommended for use by people suffering from diseases of the intestines, cardiovascular system, patients with anemia, as well as those who have a predisposition to the formation of blood clots.

Dry fruits are an excellent diuretic, anti-inflammatory and laxative. Here are just some of the health benefits of individual dried fruits:

prunes and raisins help treat stomach diseases, and also actively increase hemoglobin;

dried apples and pears are used to make a compote that helps treat the liver, kidneys, indigestion, and gastritis;

dry figs improve the functioning of the thyroid gland;

dried pineapple fights extra pounds;

apricots or dried apricots help fight anemia and have a positive effect on visual acuity.

It is best, of course, to eat fruits dried on their own. During industrial drying, manufacturers subject fruits to chemical preparations.

Dry fruits must be washed with hot water, kneading them with your hands, then rinse with cool water. In order to disinfect the washed dried fruits to the maximum, you need to soak them a little in sour milk. Remember that you need to minimize external contamination and surface preserving substances, if you do not wash purchased dried fruits, then in addition to benefit, you can also get harm from them.

Can dried fruits be harmful?

They can, and this harm lies in the presence of chemicals in the product that cannot be completely washed out. For long-term storage, manufacturers treat dried fruits with sulfur dioxide, and can also fumigate them with sulfur. Basically, this type of processing is subjected to raisins and dried apricots. To preserve the presentation and protect dried fruits from pests, manufacturers treat them with sulfur dioxide (E 220). This gas irritates the mucous membrane human system digestion.

It is necessary to use dried fruits with extreme caution for people who are losing weight, and people who are fasting. It is worth remembering that dried fruits can cause both benefit and harm when losing weight.

Dried apples are perhaps the most common type of dried fruit. They have a pleasant taste, and the human body can get a lot of useful elements from them. In addition, dried apples can be used as a tea additive, an additive to porridge, you can make compote from them or eat them as an independent dish. Dried apple fruits are most valuable during the cold season, when fresh apples lose their original nutritional functions.

However, do not forget that dried fruits from apples can be not only beneficial, but also harmful.

The benefits of this product may be as follows:

the constant use of dried apples for food provides the human body with energy, and therefore, they are great for athletes and travelers;

normalization of the intestines;

reducing the risk of thrombophlebitis;

pressure drop;

in old age, it has a positive effect on memory and reduces the risk of developing dementia;

normalizes the processes of blood circulation and heart function;

the risk of developing cancer is reduced;

improvement of the nervous system and brain activity;

strengthening immunity and protecting the body from infectious diseases;

normalizes the diet by reducing excessive snacking on the go;

beneficial effect on the condition of hair, skin and nails.

Harm from dried apples can be as follows:

with excessive use of them, bloating with the formation of colic can be observed;

excessive consumption is fraught with weight gain;

carefully use fruits that have seeds, they negatively affect the stomach (you can not eat more than 5 apple seeds per day);

If you decide to eat dried fruits, then you need to know that prunes also have both benefits and harms.

It is useful in that it contains pectin, sugar, organic type acids and vegetable fiber. It also notes great content vitamins PP, C, B1 and B2. In addition, prunes are rich in phosphorus, magnesium, iron, sodium and potassium, and are famous for their unique ability to reduce the growth of harmful microorganisms (E. coli and Salmonella). Prunes are great for constipation and are generally considered beneficial for the colon in cleansing the body.

Some found prunes unusual application- Preservation of meat freshness. It is added to various dishes, including baking.

A product is harmful only when there is no measure in its use in people suffering from obesity and diabetes. Breastfeeding mothers should not eat prunes, as they can cause stomach upset in the baby.

Dried fruits from pears are no less useful, but can be harmful. Dried pears, for the most part, are applicable in folk medicine. They are used as a diuretic, expectorant, fever reducer, disinfectant and fixative. In general, fresh pear has similar properties.

In dried pear fruits, sugar syrup is completely absent. They have a natural sweetness. The benefit of such a product is that it removes toxins and harmful metal compounds from the body. And the harm, again, is based on the abuse of the product. A lot of dried fruits is always a heavy burden on the body. It is worth avoiding the combination of the use of dried pears and milk, since such a duet becomes a laxative.

dried mango

Dried mango is not yet very popular in Russia, but dried mango fruits can also be beneficial and harmful.

The benefits of mango are:

constant use of the product normalizes the digestive system;

the metabolic functions of the body are improved;

dietary fiber contained in dried mango in large quantities helps to remove harmful compounds from the body;

positively affects the work of the heart and the entire circulatory system;

has a beneficial effect on the working capacity of hearing, the nervous system and visual function.

However, do not forget that in dry form it is a very high-calorie product that can harm the body.

Dried raisin fruits are also useful and harmful. Raisins are useful for a person in that they help to cope with nervous system disorders and treat heart diseases. It is actively used in the treatment of diseases of the kidneys, liver, stomach, as well as in the prevention of anemia. Raisins are excellent for oral health (teeth and gums), and also treats sore throat. It is used for bronchitis, severe cough and diseases of the respiratory system.

The harm of raisins lies in the high concentration of sugar in the product. Fresh grapes contain eight times less sugar than dried grapes. It is contraindicated in people suffering from diabetes, obesity, stomach ulcers, and heart disease.

What you need to know about dried figs?

Dried fruits from figs have their own special benefits and harm to humans. Its benefits are undeniable, and are as follows. Figs increase the energy produced by the body, can positively affect a person’s mood, his mental activity and overall performance.

Dry figs contain a record amount of fiber that is beneficial to the human body. A small number of figs eaten gives a feeling of satiety. It has a good effect on the work of the stomach. This product is rich in vitamins and microelements, useful for people suffering from constipation,

Figs are absolutely not suitable for a diet because of their high calorie content. In addition, he is very weak!

Dried apricot fruits are also useful, but can be harmful. Dried apricots are made from apricots. This product is famous for a large number of minerals, pectins and organic acids. Dried apricots remove harmful metal compounds and radionuclides from the body. It has a positive effect on the work of the cardiovascular system, strengthens vision and maintains its sharpness. Helps in the treatment of diabetes, thyroid and kidney diseases.

If you use antibiotics, then add dried apricots to your diet, it will reduce their negative impact on the body.

Dried apricots are contraindicated for those who suffer from low pressure and occasional stomach upsets. Due to its high nutritional value, it should not be eaten in large quantities.

Olya Proper nutrition

Each of us at least once tried dried fruit compote. Surely, more than half of our readers are crazy about him and love to use this drink in their diet. If you like drinks and salads with dried fruits, read this article, from which you will learn the benefits and harms of dried fruits for the human body.

Any berry or fruit can be dried and used to make drinks or consumed dry. However, the most useful and popular in modern world are the following types of dried fruits:

Figs. It is widely used in the treatment of diseases of the thyroid gland, bronchitis, as well as for the expulsion of helminths from the body.
Dried apricots. Nothing more than an excellent prophylactic aimed at preventing cancer.
Prunes. It is necessary for a person to treat kidneys, improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system and the digestive tract.
Dates. They are able to save a person from a debilitating headache and give a charge of vivacity to the body.
Pears and apples. Helps to remove toxins from the body, as well as improve bowel function.
Raisin. Normalizes cardiac activity in the human body.
Papaya. Stimulates sexual activity and has a general strengthening effect on human immunity.

How to use dried fruits?

It would seem that there is nothing easier - I ate dried fruit and that's it. However, in practice, it turns out that not everything is so smooth, and even a healthy person needs to be able to take dried fruit and cook it. Let's briefly talk about the basic rules:

Moderation. In no case should you neglect the intake of dried fruits and eat them to satiety. A small amount of dried fruits in the diet is enough to benefit the body. For example, it can be rice porridge supplemented with a few dried apricot berries or fruit salad with raisins.
Before eating dried fruits, drink a glass of water. This will improve digestion, besides, for example, dried apples or pears are a good diuretic. Water can also be replaced with juice or warm tea.
Don't add sugar. For example, if we are talking about compote, then it is necessary to cook it without adding sugar, since it is sugar that deprives the fruit of its beneficial properties. If you cannot drink compote or eat porridge without sugar, then it will be permissible to add a spoonful of natural honey.
Be careful when taking medication. Care should be taken when using antibiotics and dried pineapples, which may well force the effect of the drug.
Follow the recommendations. Remember that you should not use dried cherries for constipation, as well as if there is increased acidity of gastric juice, obesity, diabetes, ulcers. In the presence of diseases and abnormalities in the work of the digestive organs, attention should also be paid to dried pears, the use of which should be abandoned for a while.
If you manage to try dried melons, eat them separately from other foods maintaining a time interval of at least an hour.
Avoid raisins if you are obese and also exclude it from the diet in case of heart failure, ulcers, diabetes.
Do not take figs for pancreatitis, diabetes, inflammation of the digestive system, in the presence of the body's tendency to form stones.
Dried apricots and papaya are also excluded from the diet for diabetes.

If you have a beautiful garden, do not deny yourself the opportunity to harvest fruit yourself. The proven old-fashioned method - when apples and pears are thinly sliced and dried in the sun - is the most The best way retain the benefits of fruit. If the weather is unlucky and you should only dream of the sun, then let us draw your attention to the absence of fats in fruits, which will indicate that the berries dried in the pantry will not differ in properties from their counterpart sunbathing under the sun's rays.

Some fruits, such as felted cherries, are treated with sugar to remove sourness. The most detrimental to the complex of vitamins contained in dried fruits is the industrial drying method. It is based on the industrial heating of crop fruits, which destroys biologically active substances in them.

The benefits of dried fruits: a complex of vitamins

With proper drying of fruits, all useful properties will be preserved, which include:

An abundance of vitamins. Despite the drying of the fruits, useful substances are preserved in them, which, when ingested, return the same beneficial properties as fresh fruits. Therefore, by eating dried fruits, you will saturate your body with ascorbic acid, which helps strengthen immunity, beta-carotene, which has a beneficial effect on human vision, tocopherols, which protect against cancer, vitamin PP (its task is to cleanse the blood of cholesterol), vitamin B1 (it participates in various metabolic processes occurring in the body).
Macro- and microelements. Calcium heals bone tissue and maintains healthy muscles. Iron fills the blood with red bodies and protects against anemia. Phosphorus, zinc, potassium and other components are no exception and, like other elements, strengthen human health.
Carbohydrates. Charge the body with energy, allow you to get rid of depression, cheer up. In dried fruits, you will find just such sugars that will not aggravate diabetes and rapidly increase weight. Dried fruits are a kind of energy for the human body, which should be used in a dosed moderate amount.
Enzymes. At their expense, the body practically does not need any special costs for the cleansing process.
Cellulose. Reduces the flow of cholesterol into the blood, relieves constipation.

Note that one dried fruit contains as many nutrients as contained in a fresh fruit. However, with regard to vegetable fiber, it should be noted that in dried fruit it is approximately 3.5 times more than in an analogue just plucked from a tree. Therefore, due to one serving of dried fruit, you will replenish the daily norm of minerals and vitamins necessary for the body.

At the same time, you should know that the amount of vitamin C in dried fruits is less, as it is lost during drying.

If you set out to reduce weight, then you should eat 1-2 dried fruits per day. If the appetite requires more, you should refuse such a delicacy. So why are dried fruits not recommended for weight loss?

Calorie content. The first reason should be called the high calorie content of dry foods, as well as their inability to saturate the body with proteins and fats, which they practically do not have. From this we can conclude that when taking dried fruits for the purpose of losing weight, there is a high risk of overeating, which is not desirable for people who want to lose weight.
Fructose. Dried fruits are enriched with fructose, which, in turn, is an isocaloric component that contributes to the accumulation of excess fats, in particular in the liver and in the side area.
Inability to refuse sweets. Dried fruits are sweet in taste, and a losing weight person needs to exclude sweets from the diet.

From all of the above, the conclusion is that a losing weight person can eat dried fruits, but in very moderate and even limited quantities. If this rule is neglected, then the intake of tasty fruits will bring harm and reduce the work on the body to zero.

How many dried fruits can healthy people eat?

If you are not overweight, diabetic, high blood pressure or metabolic syndrome, you can eat dried fruit daily as a moderate addition to healthy snacks.

Probably, many have heard about such a drink as uzvar, whose homeland is Ukraine. Uzvar is a decoction made from dried fruits. Once upon a time, uzvar was prepared only for Christmas, but now you can purchase, or better, cook it yourself at home, at any time of the year.

Uzvar has a pleasant taste and in many ways resembles compote, but many will notice that it is even tastier and is something between pear juice and dried fruit drink. Dried pears, a little less apples and raisins are taken to prepare the drink. You can also add dried apricots, prunes, cherries, hawthorn to the cocktail. The benefits of the uzvar are influenced by those components that make up its composition. Accordingly, as we already know, uzvar due to dried fruits will be rich in fiber, glucose, pectin, and antioxidants. You will be able to strengthen the immune system, improve the activity of the cardiovascular system, remove salts and toxins from the body, improve bowel function, etc.
It is known that uzvar is a great remedy for a hangover. It perfectly invigorates and improves the well-being of a person. In order for the benefits of the uzvar for the body to be the same as we describe it, the drink should be able to prepare correctly. D To prepare, start cooking dried fruits in the same way as when cooking regular compote. Rinse the fruits well, add pure spring water, then put on the stove and remove as soon as the water boils. To improve the taste and give the fruits more juice, pre-soak them - either 15 minutes before cooking or overnight. The proportion of preparing such an energy cocktail is as follows: for 400 grams of fruit, you should take 2 liters of water and 250 grams of sugar, as well as 1.5 tablespoons of honey, which can also act as a full-fledged alternative to sugar. You can cook uzvar in a simpler way - just pour boiling water over the fruits and let them brew well under the lid. Honey must be added to an already cooled drink.

Are dried fruits harmful?

As we have already summed up earlier, dried fruits can harm people suffering from diabetes, hypertension, and those who want to lose weight if they neglect the recommended amount of dry fruits. Otherwise, dried fruits will be harmful in case of improper cultivation, spraying with chemicals and, as a result, poor processing, drying and transportation of fruits. This will tell you the appearance of the fruit. For example, if it is too bright, then the fruit was subject to chemicals during cultivation or processing. Also, excessive consumption of dried fruits in unlimited quantities can cause harm.

We believe that now you have made a conclusion about the benefits and harms of dried fruits in your diet and make the right decision regarding their use. We also ask you not to forget about fresh seasonal fruits rich in the same vitamins and minerals and please do not exclude them from your menu.

Most people perceive dried fruits exclusively as a healthy and natural product - many believe that dried fruits are not only acceptable on a diet, but can even help to lose weight. At the same time, the issue of the content of pesticides and preservatives is of no interest to the average buyer - he only seeks to buy raisins or dates at the lowest possible price.

However, due to the coating with sugar syrup, most dried fruits are more correctly considered sweets, and due to the nature of industrial production, the amount of vitamins and minerals in them is very small. At the same time, high-quality dried fruits are expensive and are always labeled "bio" - it is almost impossible to buy such a product by chance in a regular market or in a supermarket.

How are dried fruits made?

The traditional method of making dried fruit is sun-drying, but more productive (and faster) methods are used commercially. Most often, the process of removing water from fruits is carried out in sealed dehydrators, drying in which is carried out with air flows from 30 to 70 ° C or infrared radiation.

Thus, “classic” dried fruits are made - raisins, dried apricots, figs, dates and prunes. Other fruits (pineapple, mango, kiwi, papaya, ginger, strawberries and other berries) completely lose their shape when dried, so they are not dried at all, but caramelized in sugar syrup. It is important to mention that “multi-colored dried fruits” contain up to 70-80% pure sugar.

Are dried fruits really healthy?

Even if dried fruits were made by gentle drying in the sun, and the raw materials for them were the best apricots, grapes or figs, they still contain a significant amount of simple carbohydrates and only a small amount of vitamins and microminerals. Speaking of vitamins, it is important to mention that when dried, vitamin C practically disappears.

For example, 100 g of raisins contain no more than 5% of the daily intake of vitamins C, K and B 6, as well as 20% of the daily intake of potassium, 15% of the copper norm, 15% of manganese, 10% of iron and 5% of calcium - with a total calorie content in 300 kcal and a total content of 80 g of carbohydrates (60 g of which are pure sugar). In other words, dried fruits are more correctly considered sweet.

Table of sugar content in dried fruits:

Kind of dried fruit	Feedstock	Carbohydrate content per 100 g	Sugar content per 100 g
Raisin	Grape	75-80 g	55-65 g
Dates	Dates	70-75 g	50-65 g
Dried apricots (apricots)	Apricot	60-65 g	45-50 g
figs	Fig	60-65 g	45-50 g
Prunes	Plum	60-65 g	45-50 g

The benefits of prunes for digestion

The positive effect of dried fruits on health is not at all due to vitamins, minerals or carbohydrates in their composition - the phytonutrients present in the original fruits are beneficial. In most cases, these compounds are classified as "antioxidants", which means they help the body boost immunity and fight various inflammations.

In turn, the darker the fruit, the greater the amount of natural antioxidants it usually contains in its composition - which is why figs are “more useful” than dried apricots. The champion in the content of these substances is prunes, which is also a fairly powerful laxative. Two or three dried plums are enough to stimulate the bowels.

The problem of industrial dried fruits

Firstly, absolutely all industrial dried fruits are treated with detergents, pesticide vapors and preservatives. To extend the shelf life and give a “nice” yellow color, sulfur dioxide (additive E220) is added to raisins and dried apricots sold in ordinary supermarkets (1) - by nature, raisins have a dark brown, and not at all golden, color.

Secondly, figs and bananas (just like pistachios, peanuts and other nuts) are most often first fried in cheap vegetable oils, then processed with phenols to preserve their color. Thirdly, the aforementioned multi-colored dried fruits from exotic fruits are more like mango or kiwi flavored sugar candies, and not full-fledged dried fruits at all.

Chemical additives in dried fruits

The national food standards of most countries (including Russian GOSTs) literally require the chemical treatment of dried fruits, since only this allows you to kill dangerous bacteria and increase the shelf life to several months. For example, dried apricots and figs must be treated with a solution of sulfuric acid, and grapes must be soaked in alkali.

In theory, the concentrations of these chemicals are strictly regulated by law, and the dosages are unambiguously safe for human health. However, when buying cheap dried fruits without full packaging and “by weight”, you don’t even know in which country these dried fruits were produced, not to mention whether the required standards were observed by an unnamed manufacturer.

How to choose dried fruits?

On the other hand, dried fruit is a great calorie-dense post-workout snack to close the carb window. The main thing is to buy products High Quality and use only "classic" dried fruits (raisins, figs, dates), and not caramelized mangoes or bananas fried in an incomprehensible vegetable oil.

When choosing dried fruits, pay attention to the presence of the "bio products" sign, developed in European Union. The presence of such a label ensures that only natural processes were used in the production, and the level of chemical processing of dried fruits is minimized. In addition, trust only the major manufacturers known to you, and not the grandmother on the market.

***

The vast majority of dried fruits are more like “candied fruits” candied to the state of sweets than healthy sources of vitamins and minerals. Even if you eat exclusively bio-dried fruits, you must remember that they consist of 50-60% simple carbohydrates. In addition, GOSTs clearly require the chemical processing of fruits during drying - and it is extremely difficult to check if the manufacturer has gone too far with chemistry.