Dried Fruits

Though dried fruit is fairly high in calories and carbs, it is also rich in vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Refer to the calorie counter for your favorite dried fruit to determine the calories and nutritional value.

High in Fiber

If you refer to the calorie calculator for dried fruit, you will notice that it is very high in carbohydrate but it is also very high in fiber. For the most part, dried fruit contains more fiber than a same-sized serving of fresh fruit of the same variety. For example, dried apricots contain about 6.5 grams of fiber per 1-cup serving while fresh apricots contain only 3.1 grams per cup. A cup of raisins contains 4 more grams of fiber than a cup of grapes.

Rich in Antioxidants

You probably already know that fresh fruit is often rich in antioxidants, so you should not be surprised that dried fruit is as well. According to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition in 2005, a type of antioxidant called phenols is more concentrated in certain dried fruits than in their fresh counterparts. This is particularly true of dates and figs. Antioxidants provide many health benefits including reduced risk for heart disease and cancer as well as a lower risk for developing neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Dried fruit is a healthy snack that can provide a number of nutritional benefits. In addition to providing good nutritional value over all, dried fruit may also help to reduce your risk for chronic disease.

High Nutritional Value

Dried fruit is often referred to as a “nutrient-dense” food because the nutrients are densely packed after the removal of water from the fresh fruit. For the most part, dried fruit contains little to no fat but it does provide some level of protein and various vitamins and minerals. For example, dried fruits like raisins, figs, and apricots are rich in vitamin E, iron, magnesium, beta carotene, and calcium.

Reduced Risk for Chronic Disease

Dried fruit is loaded with healthy nutrients, many of which contribute to reducing your risk for certain chronic diseases. The fiber in dried fruit may help to lower your blood pressure and your LDL cholesterol which will reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. The antioxidants in dried fruit will also help to reduce your risk for cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, and neurodegenerative disease.