Dried figs, dates, raisins, prunes… Besides its taste, you have an important reason to include these ingredients in your diet: are rich in fiber and with more nutrients than fresh fruit, dried fruits are an undoubted source of health. These are their nutritional qualities:
1. Natural Laxative
Dried fruits contain six times more fiber than fresh fruits (about 15 grams of fiber per hundred grams), promoting intestinal transit and preventing constipation, specially dried figs.
2. Energy Capsules
Its sugar ensures a valuable calorie intake, ideal to face fatigue and increase optimism. Athletes, children and pregnant women find their perfect partner in dried fruits. Are you on a diet? A handful is not necessarily an obstacle to achieve your goal, because although containing many calories, they are low in fat. A handful (25 grams) of prunes has about 40 kcal; dried figs, 62 kcal; dates, 75 Kcal, and raisins, 80 kcal.
3. Very nutritious
Dried fruits provide a lot of minerals and vitamins your body will thank: calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, vitamin A (beta carotene), vitamin B1, B2 and B3… All as a whole will help strengthen your bones and muscles, reduce fatigue and enhance your wellbeing. What you probably did not know is that its nutritional value is much higher – even five times – than in fresh fruit. Why? When fresh fruit dries, water goes away and nutrients are concentrated at its maximum; as easy as that.
4. Great for heart and bones
Its high content of potassium helps removing the excess fluid and sodium, and it’s also good for muscles, so it’s especially notable its contribution to our cardiovascular health. Also for bone health, as some studies are even investigating the functional value of the plum in postmenopausal women with increased risk of osteroporosis. Dried figs are also known for their high calcium content.
5. Antioxidant Power
Polyphenols, carotenoids and vitamins A and E of dry fruits act effectively against the aging of our skin and body. There is no better wrinkle treatment than eating natural antioxidants.
Besides… They are tasty and easy to use!
Whether as a snack between meals, as a dessert or as an ingredient for tasty recipes, dried fruits provide a tasty and healthy touch to our diet. And best of all: they are very easy combine. Dried figs, boneless dates and plums, pitted prunes… Do you want to brighten up a salad or turn a chicken recipe into something special? As simple as adding a handful of dried fruit.
