Wednesday, 4 January 2012
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Don’t you just love dried fruits as a snack? These nifty treats are one of the top snacks for weight watchers because of their low cholesterol and fat content. They’re convenient, cheap, delicious and very nutritious. They are healthier options to potato chips and a smart way to preserve fruits before they fall out of season. Even if your favorite fresh version is not available, more often than not, you’ll find dried ones just to beat your cravings.
Eating dried versions of fruits help one achieve the daily needed amount in a person’s diet. But, did you know that when you’re eating dried fruits, you’re not just eating for your health but also for your skin?
When fresh fruits undergo the process of drying (i.e. sun, air and freeze drying), water is removed while the flavors become intensified, as well as some vitamins and minerals. However, this process of removing moisture from fresh fruits can also zap out some nutrients but only to a minimum. Just to let you know how good dried fruits are for your skin, here are some of the vitamins and minerals they contain and how each can benefit the skin and overall health.
1. Vitamins
Dried prunes, plums and peaches contain Vitamin A, sometimes in beta-carotene form, which helps in preventing dryness and flakiness of the skin by maintaining and repairing broken tissues. It also helps fight acne and leaves the skin smooth and glowing. Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B Complex are found in dried apples, dates, peaches and apricots. These B vitamins help improve the skin’s ability to retain moisture, hence avoiding dryness, early appearance of wrinkles and flakiness. It also has a skin-lightening component and acts as an anti-cancer agent as well.
2. Antioxidants
These free-radical fighting agents are your skin’s best friend because it fights early signs of skin ageing. Eating foods high in antioxidants like raisins, dried blueberries (these have the highest amount of antioxidants), dried plum, dried apples, dried prunes, dried peaches and dried cranberries boost your skin’s protection against sun damage and the harsh effects of the environment. Antioxidants work side by side with the mineral manganese which helps in the production of antioxidants and energy in the body.
3. Iron
Did you know that almost all dried fruits in the market contain iron? From raisins, to dried plums, apples, dates and figs, dried peaches and apricots; this essential mineral is needed by the body not just to prevent anemia but to improve sleep. This is very important especially for the skin. Observe how lack of sleep can cause skin breakouts, coarse skin and large-looking pores. Furthermore, iron increases the collagen in the skin to keep it feeling firm, supple and smooth.
4. Dietary fiber
Fiber in dried fruits are good for the body because in aids in digestion and gives a smooth bowel movement (like dried prunes and raisins). But, you may ask, for the skin? Fiber helps prevent acne, fat build-up and cellulite by flushing out toxins from the body. Whatever type of fruit, whether fresh or dried ones, are loaded with fiber.
5. Copper
Inflammation is one of the things to prevent especially for a person who is suffering from acne. Copper helps in taming down inflammation and is a very good antioxidant as well. It also helps the skin make more elastin, which are the skin’s connective tissues.
6. Potassium
Potassium together with dietary fiber is significantly found in dried fruits. In fact, they are one of the fifty best sources of these nutrients on a per serving basis in the diet of Americans. Not only that, compared to all other fruits, they belong to the top five providers of dietary fiber and potassium. What’s so good about this nutrient that you need to have a lot of it in your system? Considered an electrolyte, it makes cells absorb important nutrients, remove unnecessary wastes, aids in cell renewal and speeds up healing of cuts. It is also an effective cure for allergies and aids in muscle building.
All these benefits and more are found in dried fruits. In fact, they are also great sources of carbohydrates that add energy to your system. Just remember, when buying dried fruits, pick the ones without sulfur and added artificial sugar. Traditional ones are sun-dried and contain natural sugars. This includes raisins, prunes, dates, apricots, figs, peaches, pears and apples. Blueberries, cranberries, cherries, strawberries and mangoes are treated with sweeteners before going through the process of drying. They may contain some sucrose syrup but they are nutritious as well.
Dried Fruits that are Good for Your Skin
Eating dried versions of fruits help one achieve the daily needed amount in a person’s diet. But, did you know that when you’re eating dried fruits, you’re not just eating for your health but also for your skin?
When fresh fruits undergo the process of drying (i.e. sun, air and freeze drying), water is removed while the flavors become intensified, as well as some vitamins and minerals. However, this process of removing moisture from fresh fruits can also zap out some nutrients but only to a minimum. Just to let you know how good dried fruits are for your skin, here are some of the vitamins and minerals they contain and how each can benefit the skin and overall health.
1. Vitamins
Dried prunes, plums and peaches contain Vitamin A, sometimes in beta-carotene form, which helps in preventing dryness and flakiness of the skin by maintaining and repairing broken tissues. It also helps fight acne and leaves the skin smooth and glowing. Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B Complex are found in dried apples, dates, peaches and apricots. These B vitamins help improve the skin’s ability to retain moisture, hence avoiding dryness, early appearance of wrinkles and flakiness. It also has a skin-lightening component and acts as an anti-cancer agent as well.
2. Antioxidants
These free-radical fighting agents are your skin’s best friend because it fights early signs of skin ageing. Eating foods high in antioxidants like raisins, dried blueberries (these have the highest amount of antioxidants), dried plum, dried apples, dried prunes, dried peaches and dried cranberries boost your skin’s protection against sun damage and the harsh effects of the environment. Antioxidants work side by side with the mineral manganese which helps in the production of antioxidants and energy in the body.
3. Iron
Did you know that almost all dried fruits in the market contain iron? From raisins, to dried plums, apples, dates and figs, dried peaches and apricots; this essential mineral is needed by the body not just to prevent anemia but to improve sleep. This is very important especially for the skin. Observe how lack of sleep can cause skin breakouts, coarse skin and large-looking pores. Furthermore, iron increases the collagen in the skin to keep it feeling firm, supple and smooth.
4. Dietary fiber
Fiber in dried fruits are good for the body because in aids in digestion and gives a smooth bowel movement (like dried prunes and raisins). But, you may ask, for the skin? Fiber helps prevent acne, fat build-up and cellulite by flushing out toxins from the body. Whatever type of fruit, whether fresh or dried ones, are loaded with fiber.
5. Copper
Inflammation is one of the things to prevent especially for a person who is suffering from acne. Copper helps in taming down inflammation and is a very good antioxidant as well. It also helps the skin make more elastin, which are the skin’s connective tissues.
6. Potassium
Potassium together with dietary fiber is significantly found in dried fruits. In fact, they are one of the fifty best sources of these nutrients on a per serving basis in the diet of Americans. Not only that, compared to all other fruits, they belong to the top five providers of dietary fiber and potassium. What’s so good about this nutrient that you need to have a lot of it in your system? Considered an electrolyte, it makes cells absorb important nutrients, remove unnecessary wastes, aids in cell renewal and speeds up healing of cuts. It is also an effective cure for allergies and aids in muscle building.
All these benefits and more are found in dried fruits. In fact, they are also great sources of carbohydrates that add energy to your system. Just remember, when buying dried fruits, pick the ones without sulfur and added artificial sugar. Traditional ones are sun-dried and contain natural sugars. This includes raisins, prunes, dates, apricots, figs, peaches, pears and apples. Blueberries, cranberries, cherries, strawberries and mangoes are treated with sweeteners before going through the process of drying. They may contain some sucrose syrup but they are nutritious as well.
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