Here's why you should have more dried fruits

We all know the benefits of fruits for health. Our mothers and grandmothers insisted on having them, while we as children were difficult about them. However, with a hectic life, our balanced diet and nutrition are often lacking. From controlling blood sugar to high blood pressure, here's how fruits, especially dried fruits, can prove to be beneficial.

* Dried fruits generally contain more fiber than the same size as their fresh counterparts. Fiber helps maintain the proper functioning of your digestive system.

* The various dried fruits are naturally packed with a mixture of nutrients such as potbadium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, carotenoids, antioxidants, vitamins, dietary fiber, flavonoids, selenium and more and more proteins and good quality lipids they provide.

* These help in different ways such as increasing good cholesterol, reducing bad cholesterol, maintaining blood pressure, controlling blood sugar, controlling thyroid, improving function heart, intestines movement, skin health, hair control, the fight against cancer, improving bone health, improving vision, improving digestion and the fight against anemia, to name a few. Many dried fruits have a low glycemic index and therefore help to slow down the release of energy and to control blood sugar.

* Since most of the water is extracted from the fruit, their nutrients are condensed in a small package. Dried fruits such as apricots, raisins, prunes and figs contain large amounts of beta-carotene, vitamin E, niacin, iron, magnesium, potbadium and calcium.

* Dried fruits contain little or no fat. They also contain a lot of calories per serving, making it a natural source of energy for athletes. They are also a good supplement for people looking to gain weight in a healthy way.

(With the entries IANS)

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