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Published on: 23rd January 2024
Medically reviewed by: Medical Director at First Response Healthcare
Dried fruits and nuts, your snacktime saviors, are not just the most preferred gifting item during the festive season, but also the best alternative to junk food as recommended by health experts. These traditional superfoods are filled with vital portions of proteins, antioxidants, essential fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Many people include dry fruits aka the nutritional powerhouse in their diet every day due to their wholesome health benefits. A lot of people believe that overeating can be detrimental to your well-being. In this First Response Home Healthcare blog, let’s discover everything you must know about dried fruits, their optimal consumption for overall goodness, major side effects if consumed excessively, their potential benefits, types of dry fruits to include in your intake, and more.
Dry fruits are dehydrated variants of fruits, with all of their moisture content removed either naturally or through drying methods. Such processing results in these fruits getting shrunk, turning calorie-dense and becoming concentrated with nutrients. On one hand, fruits are perishable, inconvenient for consumption on long trips, not easily portable, and need refrigeration, and on the other hand, dried fruits are a power-packed solution to all these problems. They are your all-time companions for long drives, evening munching, and midnight cravings, available in ready-to-consume form, with long-term storage and preservation benefits. Raisins, figs, pistachios, dates, almonds, cashews, apricots, walnuts, hazelnuts, and prunes are some common examples.
Table of Contents
- Role Of Dry Fruits In Your Diet And Daily Nutrition
- Potential Health Benefits Of Dried Fruits And Nuts
- Different Kinds Of Dry Fruits And Their Advantages
- What Happens To Your Health When You Consume Too Many Dried Fruits?
- Conclusion And Health Expert Recommendation
- First Response Home Healthcare Team Answers Your Frequently Asked Questions
- References And Citations
Role of Dry Fruits In Your Diet and Daily Nutrition
Delicious in taste, small in size, large in benefits, rich in nutritional value, and the list just goes on. Dry fruits are indeed a superfood and a celebrated snacking partner across geographies. The advantages of dry fruits are undeniably popular. The nutrient profile varies from fruit to fruit however, a cup of mixed dry fruits generally contains the following in varying proportions depending on your intake of different types of dry fruits:
- Carbohydrates: 112 grams
- Sugar: 92 grams
- Fiber: 8 grams
- Calories: 480
- Protein: 4 grams
Potential Health Benefits of Dry Fruits and Nuts
Dry Fruits & Eye Health
Many types of dry fruits are rich in vitamins A and C. These vitamins are known to be good for your eyes.
Dry Fruits & Immunity
Dried fruits contain high levels of vitamins like Vitamin B6, K1, E, D, along with an impressive amount of zinc, potassium, and phosphorus. These nutrients not only help boost your immunity but also display antioxidant properties, in turn relieving oxidative stress from your body. Moreover, the presence of both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber in dry fruits further promotes improvement in your gut health.
Dry Fruits & Bone Health
Healthy bones are an outcome of a balanced level of calcium in our body. While dried kiwis are an excellent source of calcium, even apricots and figs help keep the chances of osteoporosis away. Dry fruits are also a great source of nutrients like magnesium, vitamin K, and boron which can also have a positive impact on our bones.
Dry Fruits & Glowing Skin
Several nutrients in dry fruits support keeping your skin healthy and glowing by eliminating the free radicals that deprive the healthy cells of their precious oxygen.
Dry Fruits & Pregnancy
Iron-rich diet is known to be one of the many factors contributing to a healthy pregnancy in women.
#1 DID YOU KNOW?
One cup of dried apricot offers about 3.5 mg of iron per serving, making it an extremely rich source of iron, especially for pregnant women, who require more iron than usual for their body to absorb, for a healthy pregnancy.
One cup of dried apricot offers about 3.5 mg of iron per serving, making it an extremely rich source of iron, especially for pregnant women, who require more iron than usual for their body to absorb, for a healthy pregnancy.
Before deep diving into the benefits of consuming dry fruits, try matching the following pairs correctly, to up your health game. Let’s find out how much you know about some commonly found dry fruits in your house and the nutrients they are rich in.
| Column A: Dried Fruits | Column B: Main Nutrient |
|
i) Calcium |
|
ii) Iron |
|
iii) Vitamin A |
|
iv) Vitamin B6 |
|
v) Omega-3 |
Different Kinds of Dry fruits and Their Advantages
Dry Fruit Types | Potential Health Advantages |
Health Benefits Of Figs | Boosts heart health, bone health, and muscle health because of minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium present in it. |
Health Benefits Of Dried Bananas | Supports gut health and heart health because of its rich fiber content |
Health Benefits Of Dried Cherries | Helps in reducing oxidative stress and enhances sleep |
Health Benefits Of Prunes | Promotes regular bowel movements and helps in keeping the nervous system healthy |
Health Benefits Of Dried Pears | Supports healthy digestion and helps fight inflammation |
Health Benefits Of Dates | Boosts immune system |
Health Benefits Of Dried Apricots | Helps in hydration and red blood cell formation |
Health Benefits Of Dried Apples | Helps in red blood cell formation |
Health Benefits Of Walnuts | Promotes heart health and brain function |
Health Benefits Of Raisins | Supports digestion, iron levels, and bone health |
Health Benefits Of Almonds | Helps reduce the risk of heart disease due to the presence of Omega-3 fatty acids |
Health Benefits Of Pistachios | Helps lower cholesterol levels and improve blood sugar control |
Health Benefits Of Cashews | Benefits type-2 diabetes patients by helping maintain blood insulin levels |
What Happens to Your Health When You Consume Too Many Dry Fruits?
When consumed in moderation, there are various health benefits of dried fruits that one cannot miss. However, they can lead to several health concerns if taken in excess portions.
9 Side Effects of Overeating Dry Fruits and Nuts
Weight gain due to excess calorie intake and concentrated sugars
Digestive ailments due to high fiber content
High blood sugar levels due to high glycemic index
Nutrient intake imbalance due to excessive sodium in certain processed dried fruits
Increased body heat due to tremendous calorific value
Skin issues due to excessive sebum production, as dry fruits are rich in fats and proteins which in turn activate the oil glands
High blood pressure, menstrual issues in women, and other associated complications due to weight gain
Allergy-related concerns like asthma, skin rashes, stomach cramps due to preservatives in store-bought dry fruits that may contain sulfites
Tooth decay and dental problems due to artificial sweeteners in sugar-coated dry fruits
Conclusion and Health Expert Recommendation
Mindlessly binge-eating dry fruits is surely a recipe for disaster. Being mindful of every serving size while consuming them is a health hack you can opt for. Most people buy ready-made dry fruits. They come in various forms: Raw, roasted, as well as sugar-coated like candies. It is always good to watch out for no added sugars, no preservatives, and minimally processed dried fruits while purchasing from a store. You can even dry some of these fruits at home – by laying them evenly and tossing them a little, so that they dry from all sides under the sun, or baking them in an oven without burning them. A food dehydrator too can come in handy as traditional methods could be time-consuming and less effective. Dehydrating at home gives several advantages in terms of quality, product mix, and ingredients. Whichever drying method you may adopt, what you must remember is that dry fruits dominate the charts when you think of healthy foods to eat every day. However, when consumed in excessive quantities, they can pose certain hazards to your health. Hence it is important to examine the benefits of having dry fruits and assess their nutritional value in consultation with your neighborhood healthcare provider.
First Response Home Healthcare specializes in providing at-home healthcare services with doctor on call support in just 30-45* minutes. Schedule your appointment today with our trained and experienced healthcare professionals for a quick visit and personalized consultation at your home, office, or hotel. Our doctors can provide expert guidance and health advice that’s curated and customized exclusively for you after a detailed diagnosis of your health, medical conditions if any, and overall well-being.
Discover from our registered physicians which types of dried fruits and nuts are suitable for you, how much you can consume, when you can eat them, how you can incorporate them in the right proportions as a part of your daily food intake, their nutritional outcomes on your health, what dry fruit kinds can be avoided. Get all this and more, right from the comfort of your own homes!
Check out First Response Home Healthcare’s blogs for more useful information on food and health tips, wellness at home, expert recommendations, and nutritional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Q. Can eating dried fruits cause digestive problems?
Overeating dried fruits and nuts like almonds, pistachios, and walnuts, with high fiber content can cause issues in the intestinal lining, resulting in increased pressure on the digestive system, leading to abdominal ache, flatulence, bloating, etc. Due to the fats in nuts, overconsumption can also lead to diarrhea.
Q. Does eating dry fruits daily lead to obesity?
Dry fruits are highly nutritious, healthy, and calorie-dense foods. However, consuming too many calories or even healthy foods doesn’t equate to eating right. High sugar content in dry fruits can lead to weight gain. According to research by Medical News Today, it takes around 3,500 calories to gain 1 pound of weight. Taking, for instance, 250 calories/day from dried fruits could result in gaining over 2 pounds of weight/month. Everything in moderation is therefore the key to optimal health while consuming your favorite dry fruits.
Q. Dried fruits and fresh fruits: Do they contain the same amount of nutrients?
Fruit is a healthy source of calories, be it dried or fresh. Dry fruits have long been considered a rich source of vitamins and minerals, other micronutrients, and macronutrients. By weight, you eat less dried fruits to match the same level of calories as fresh fruits. Dried fruit contains about 3.5 times the fiber, vitamins, and minerals of fresh fruit. Moreover, the drying process may also impact the fruits’ vitamin content by removing a huge portion of it. For instance, Apricot in its raw form, is rich in vitamins A and C. A major portion of Vitamin C is lost during drying, however, retaining the other key nutrients like potassium.
The right answer for the health game:
Match The Dry Fruit With Its Correct Key Nutrient
1 – ii
2- iii
3 – i
4 – v
5 – iv
References and Citations:
- WebMD: Dried Fruit – Is It Good For You?ysical Therapy Help You?
- NCBI: Composition of Nuts and Their Potential Health Benefits—An Overview
- NCBI: Chemical composition and potential health effects of prunes: a functional food?
- NCBI: Phytochemical Composition and Health Benefits of Figs (Fresh and Dried): A Review of Literature from 2000 to 2022
- NCBI: Health benefits of almonds beyond cholesterol reduction
- NCBI: Effects of Daily Consumption of Cashews on Oxidative Stress and Atherogenic Indices in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized, Controlled-Feeding Trial
Disclaimer: This content piece is no substitute for direct medical advice. The purpose and intent of this blog is just to impart knowledge, share general tips, and spread awareness about health. It is not a replacement for any medical consultation provided by professionals. Should you have any questions about your health, reach out to our qualified healthcare providers at First Response Home Healthcare for personalized advice and further information. Do not solely rely on this article and delay your treatment or undertake any regimen based on the inputs given here. Always seek help from our medical experts.
