Contents

• Fruit drying process
• What to look for when buying dried fruit
• Who should be careful with dried fruits?

Dried fruits have been well-known, readily available, and popular for years. They're a highly valued snack that you can always have with you, whether at work, school, or while traveling. What do dried dates, prunes , raisins, or apples hide, and are their ingredients healthy or not? Let's see if it's worth eating dried fruits.

Fruit drying process

We know several tried-and-true methods for drying fruit, which makes it sweeter and more durable. They're edible year-round, have a high fiber content, and the drying process preserves vitamins and valuable minerals. Dried fruit is easier to store and transport than fresh fruit. They're also a source of many valuable nutrients and vitamins, and they have a positive effect on our health and the proper functioning of our bodies. Let's look at some of the most popular:

• Raisins – dried grapes are a valuable source of antioxidants as well as B vitamins and calcium,
• Plums – recommended for constipation due to their high fiber content, they are satiating and contain B vitamins, vitamins C, E as well as iron, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium,
• Apricots – rich in vitamin A, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium. Just four fruits are enough to cover the daily requirement of vitamin A. Therefore, they are especially recommended for people with vision or skin problems. They also help those who complain of heartburn.
• Dates – support the proper functioning of the digestive system thanks to their high fiber content and are also a source of vitamins A and C, as well as B vitamins, magnesium, manganese, calcium, iron, potassium, zinc and antioxidants.
• Apples – Due to their very high fiber content, they act like a brush, sweeping undigested food from our intestines. They contain vitamin C, B vitamins, polyphenols, antioxidants, potassium, and boron. Dried apples help lower cholesterol levels and support the heart and digestive tract, among other things.

What to look for when buying dried fruit

Dried fruits available in supermarkets and discount stores often contain sulfur dioxide, which acts as a preservative and also prevents the fruit from browning. Manufacturers add it, especially to light-colored fruits like pineapples and apricots, to give them an attractive appearance. Unfortunately, sulfur dioxide is bad for our health and can also reduce the content of valuable vitamins in dried fruits. Therefore, when buying dried apricots, raisins, or other fruits, be sure to check whether they are sulfurized, or opt for dried fruits from a health food store. Then we can be sure that valuable, nutritious snacks are making their way into our stomachs.

Who should be careful with dried fruits?

Due to the high concentration of sugar and carbohydrates, the consumption of dried fruit should be limited by the following people:

• with diabetes,
• with insulin resistance,
• irritable bowel syndrome,
• Candidiasis.

Dried fruit is an excellent alternative to fresh fruit, especially when fresh, seasonal fruit is unavailable. It's a valuable source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and it also provides plenty of energy. It's easy to pack and take with you on a trip, a walk, or to work. It's a filling and nutritious snack, healthier than chocolate bars or chips. If dried properly, without the use of harmful and unnecessary preservatives like sulfur dioxide, it's worth incorporating it into your daily diet.