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Health Benefits of the Humble Raisin
As I picked out my raisins at the supermarket this week, I wasn't thinking a lot about the health benefits, but how
nicely they would taste in the recipe I was using. I hope you enjoy the following article provided by one of my
favorite sources for very unique and unusual health foods, Whole Foods Farmacy.
Raisins rank among the top antioxidant foods, according to USDA government tests. Early findings suggest
that eating plenty of fruits high in antioxidants, such as raisins may help slow the processes associated with
aging in both body and brain.
Andrew J. Dannenberg, M.D. a cancer researcher at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University reports
that the antioxidant catechin, found in raisins and some other fruits and vegetables, in the diet of mice
genetically predisposed to intestinal tumors reduced the number of tumors by at least 70 percent compared
to the control group. This type of study adds to the body of evidence which shows that components of fruits
and vegetables have the potential to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, colorectal adenomas and other
gastrointestinal tumors.
Carl L. Keen, Ph.D. from the University of California Davis reports that a significant amount of raisins eaten
daily for 4 weeks increased the plasma antioxidant capacity. This in turn decreased the level of circulating
oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) also known as the "bad cholesterol". These data clearly show raisins
are an important part of 5-a-day diet and that benefits of eating raisins are similar to benefits seen when eating
other fruits and vegetables with these plant antioxidants.
Christine D. Wu, M.S., Ph.D. of the University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Dentistry has found that raisins
contain compounds including oleanolic acid that inhibit in vitro growth of Streptococcus.mutans, the bacteria
in the mouth responsible for tooth decay. Oleanic acid and other compounds in raisins also inhibit organisms
associated with periodontal disease, including Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum.
Oleanolic acid is most effective in suppressing in vitro plaque formation by Streptococcus mutans. Prevention of
plaque building up on the tooth surface is critical both for preventing tooth decay and promoting healthy gums.
Mary Ellen Camire, Ph.D. of the University of Maine reports that dietary fiber and other components may reduce
the risk of heart disease and cancer by binding bile acids and causing their elimination from the body. Camire's
study confirms that eating fibrous foods, such as raisins, stimulates the body to replace the bile acids that have
been eliminated by making them from its own cholesterol, thus potentially lowering serum cholesterol and the
risk of coronary heart disease. Furthermore, bile acids that are bound by fibers such as those in raisins will not
be metabolized to a more toxic form and this may potentially reduce cancer risk.
Gene A. Spiller, Ph.D. of the Sphera Foundation and Health Research Studies Center - Los Altos, CA reports
feeding of raisins along with peanuts to 10-12 year old children prior to a soccer game resulted in lower
increases in blood glucose and insulin than a snack of a white bagel and jam. This is important because it means
a more steady fuel supply to the exercising muscle of the young players. Lower insulin levels are advantageous
because high levels of circulating insulin can promote the laying down of fat and may lead to insulin resistance,
a concern among US children today, where rates of obesity and type 2 Diabetes are increasing.
You, your family and your children can enjoy all of the health benefits thatraisins have to offer with your favorite
Wholefood Farmacy foods such as Phi Plus, Cranberry Phi, Fruitalicious, Fruitalicious Plus and Cornaborealis.
My thanks to the Wholefood Farmacy for this interesting article, a source of delicious organic snacks for your family.
$3 for Nutrition Questions, Comments Always Free!
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