A dried fruit is one in which almost all the water content from the fresh fruit has been removed either through natural or artificial methods. Sun drying is the commonest natural drying method, and specialized dryers and dehydrators aid the artificial process.
There is a variety of nutritious dried fruits like raisins, apricots, but special attention will be given to 5 tropical dried fruits: jackfruit, papaya, mango, banana & pineapple, for the richness of their taste and special health benefits. These five dried fruits, specifically those grown in the Tropics have easily become favorites of many because of;
- Richness of Taste — there’s hardly any need to add sugar to the snacks due to their natural sweetness.
- Agricultural Methods Used — most of these fruits are sourced from rural farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa who have been known to use organic manure and the simplest of farming methods hence keeping their produce as organic as can be.
- Richer in health nutrients — almost all fruit produce from these regions is Non-GMO and highly rich in fiber, calcium and potassium. But be sure to check the packaging for confirmation.
Dried fruit snacks have recently gained more shelf space in stores, retail shops and many homes for a number of reasons besides just the fancy packaging. One of these being that dried fruit snacks contain up to 3 times more fiber, vitamins and minerals than their fresh fruits.
Here is a summary of the possible pros and cons to eating dried fruits;
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Pros |
Cons |
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Rich in fiber |
Reduced Vitamin C content |
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Great source of antioxidants i.e. polyphenol which improve blood flow, digestive health & decrease oxidative damage |
Too much consumption could lead to increase in sugar levels |
|
Weigh less and ingest more nutrients |
|
|
Significant amounts of calories and natural sugars i.e. glucose and fructose |
|
|
Increased intake of nutrients and reduced risk of obesity |
|
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Portable and good on the go |
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It’s evident that eating dried fruits has more benefits than dangers, and with the right regulation, one might have totally nothing to worry about.
Sometimes making a choice can be quite hard in the presence of variety, so here is a list of the health benefits to consuming each of the five tropical dried fruits. In case you are looking for a specific food nutrient in your dried fruit snack, this will guide your pick:
- Dried Banana
A small serving of this snack contains;
- Fiber
- Protein
- Magnesium
- Vitamin A
- Iron
- Phosphorus
- Potassium, in small quantities
- Improves eye sight
- May prevent high blood pressure
- Dried Pineapple
A small serving of this snack contains;
- Source of fiber
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Manganese
- Vitamins A, B and C
- Effective drug for acne
- Stronger gums and bone health
- Keep your skin young
- Prevents hair loss
- Dried Mango
A small serving of this snack contains;
- Source of fiber
- Source of B-complex vitamins
- Boosts Energy
- Reduces Stress
- Improved digestion
- Better skin appearance
- Increased circulation
- Weight loss
- Dried Jackfruit
Jackfruit is a superfood with many nutritional benefits, including:
- Source of fiber
- Energy boost
- Minerals
- Vitamins A, C and D
- Anti-aging properties
- Improves eye vision
- Dried Papaya
A small serving of this snack contains;
- Source of fiber
- May help in weight gain.
- May help boost energy.
- May help Improve vision.
- May help strengthen cellular function.
- May prevent macular degeneration.
- May aid in skin care.
- May help improve digestion.
- May help lower cholesterol level
- May help lower the risk of chronic diseases
In case you’re looking for a light organic snack to boost your energy and provide your body with fiber, vitamins and minerals all in one go, think tropical dried food snacks. They are as addictive as they are nutritious!