Dry Fruits for Health

For those who have an incessant craving for a sweet snack, dry fruits for health present a great alternative to commercially branded candies and sweets. Regularly munching on these candies and goodies is known to cause weight problems as well as increase the risk for diabetes and tooth decay. Conversely, the increasing popularity of dried fruits as an alternative is buoyed by improved drying processes that now produce great-tasting dried fruit products, as well as a refined understanding of its health benefits.

The primary thing that makes dry fruits for health a suitable replacement for candies is that the drying process eliminates the excess moisture in the fruit. This concentrates the natural sugar and gives it a sweet taste. On top of this, dry fruits for health are also excellent carriers of many vitamins and minerals, provided that the drying process is done properly to preserve the nutritive value of the fruit.

In contrast, consumers should be equally aware that there are fruits with a naturally-low sugar content which are then tweaked to satisfy consumer cravings. For dried fruits to do their work as a snackable replacement to commercial candy brands, consumers should avoid those dried fruits that have added sugar. Common examples include sweetened banana chips, pineapple, watermelon, and cranberries.

It is better to stick to the follow dried fruit products which are often packed in their natural form after the drying process is completed:

Dried apples. Apples are one of the most popular dried fruit products because these contain a lot of antioxidants and phyto-nutrients that are known to fight a host of diseases including cancers. Dried apples are also popular because these preserve apples longer allowing them to be consumed long after the apple harvest season is done.

Dried mango. Dried mango is a great commercial export from many tropical countries to those with more temperate climate for the same reasons that apples are great exports from cooler to warmer climes. The high nutritive value in mangoes including Vitamins A, C, and E as well as Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids, are well preserved during the drying process so the health benefits remain intact even when consumed in dried form.

Dried cherries. Cherries are the new fad in dry fruits for health and there are plenty of reasons that suggest this new trend is here to stay. Cherries are packed full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals which are great for many reasons but more so in the prevention of many diseases like cancer, heart ailments, and degenerative conditions due to long-term cellular damage.

Raisins. As far as dry fruits for health go, raisins are widely considered as the most established of all the fruits in the market. Raisins have been recognized as ingredients in many desserts and recipes for a long time. These also serve as excellent candy alternatives and are cheap and readily accessible to most consumers.

Dry fruits for health reveal a new dimension in healthy eating and every effort should be taken to push this into the mainstream markets. With the growing issues and concerns related to obesity, dry fruits for health are welcome developments that should uplift the concept of healthy snacking and should at least provide a new wrinkle to proper dieting as one of the best solutions to weight problems for many sweet-crazy individuals.