Raisins - Medicinal and Health Benefits

Raisins (Botanical name: Vitis Vinifera) are dried grapes. It has been used as food from very ancient times. Raisins are produced in many parts of the world, but the bulk of them come from Italy, France, Spain, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Baluchistan, California, Australia and South Africa. Only very sweet grapes are used to make raisins.

Raisins are used widely as ingredients in many desserts including cakes, jams, and puddings. They are commonly found in elaborate rice and meat dishes in India and the Middle East, as well as in salads.

Raisins contain 8 times more sugar than grapes. The sugars contained in grapes are glucose and fructose which are ready sources of energy. Raisins are very rich in Calcium and Iron, with a high caloric value. This makes raisins ideal for consumption when one is tired, during convalescence and in debility. Being light and easy to transport with a long shelf life, raisins are a favorite of travelers, especially those going on expeditions.

The alkalinity of raisins makes it ideal to treat metabolic acidosis (i.e. when the acidity of body fluids is high). The alkalinity in the fruit corrects the acidosis of body fluids thereby correcting the acidity of urine.

Raisins soaked in a glass of water overnight taken along with the water in the morning everyday is used to treat for chronic constipation. The same soaked in boiling water and cooled can be given even to infants and children, with quantity adjusted for the age of the patient. For small children, raisins should be crushed and then strained to remove the skin before administering as a drink. Raisins soaked in water, crushed and strained is used as a tonic to reduce fever.

Raisins are used to treat anaemia because of the high iron content. 30 to 50 grms of raisins washed in warm water and boiled in 200ml of milk is used to treat sexual debility. The milk is drunk and the raisins eaten thrice daily.

Moisture                       20.2%              Minerals and Vitamins.

Protein                         1.8%               Calcium                        87mg   

Fat                               0.3%               Phosphorus                  80mg

Minerals                       2.0%               Iron                              7.7mg

Fibre                            1.1%               Vitamin C                     1.0mg

Carbohydrates 74.6%              Minimum amount of Vitamin B Complex

Values per 100 gm                                 Caloric value -308.

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