Sulfur dioxide is a food preservative that is in a number of edibles, including dried fruits such as raisins, dried apricots and prunes. Sulfur dioxide is one type of sulfite. Sulfates are inorganic salts that have antioxidant and preservative properties. Unsulfered fruit is darker in color since it has no sulfites to protect the color while drying. The taste and texture is totally different. It does not have the chemical taste or the sharp after taste. Sulfites have been used as a food additive since 1664 and have been approved for use in the United States for more than a century. Even a small amount of sulfite can wreak health havoc if you're sensitive to it. If you have asthma, or a sulfite allergy, eating dried fruits might cause serious health problems, including breathing problems, life-threatening allergy-like symptoms or, in rare cases, death.
Benefits Of Organic Dried Apricots
Good choice if your Diabetic or watching your weight
We watch our weight so that means we choose our calories wisely. Apricots are one of the best fruits you can eat if you are watching your glycemic index. Dried apricots have an average glycemic index of 31. I have tried growing them in this area and we have to many temperature variations in the spring. As soon as the blooms come on it freezes, so I have given up getting fruit. Fresh apricots are expensive so our next best option is dried apricots, they store for a long time and do not need any refrigeration.
Eye Health
Nutrients in apricots can help protect eyes, they are an excellent source of vitamin A. Researchers who studied over 50,000 registered nurses found the women who had the highest vitamin A intake reduced their risk of developing cataracts by nearly 40%.
Build Strong Bones
Apricots provide a significant source of potassium. Potassium is a mineral and electrolyte that helps you maintain proper fluid balance, aids in muscle function, and helps regulate heartbeat. Potassium also promotes healthy digestion and strong bones. Getting sufficient amounts of potassium each day can help you maintain normal blood pressure and might reduce your risk of having a stroke.
Benefits Of Organic Dried Figs
Figs have been around for centuries, probably originating in Egypt. Most folks have never had a dried fig except in a Fig Newton cookie as a child. Figs have some great health benefits that make them worth adding to your diet.
Build Strong Bones
They contain the essential bone building trio of magnesium, calcium, and vitamin K2. Without magnesium, calcium is not absorbed by the body, and without K2, calcium leaches into the blood and out of your bones causing calcification of the inner linings of the blood vessels.
Heart Health
In addition to minimizing calcium deposits in your blood vessels, the magnesium and potassium in figs are essential for maintaining a healthy heart and keeping blood pressure in line. Figs help lower serum triglyceride levels which are markers for predicting heart health issues better then cholesterol readings.
High in Fiber
Figs are high in both soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber helps slow digestion and make you feel fuller. It also helps stabilize and lower blood sugar levels. Insoluble fiber provides the bulk needed to help cleanse the large intestine and eliminate waste, reducing constipation. Both types of fiber combine as useful tools for weight management.
Eye Health
Dried figs are at the top of the dried fruit list for phenol antioxidant levels. Fruit antioxidants have demonstrated higher eye health benefits than vegetable antioxidants, including carrots, even offering protection against age related macular degeneration (ARMD), the leading cause of blindness.
Figs are alkaline
Figs are alkaline producing, helping the body achieve and maintain that optimum 7.0-7.4 pH reading to lead a disease-free healthy life.
High in Iron
Figs are very high in iron, the mineral that helps create red blood cells and prevent anemia. Pregnant women are encouraged to keep their red blood cell levels high. So ditch the pickles and chocolates and snack on dried figs if you're expecting.
Sources
Natural News; Seven amazing reasons to eat more figs Thursday, July 25, 2013 by: PF Louis
whfoods.com
Benefits Of Organic Dried Apricots
Good choice if your Diabetic or watching your weight
We watch our weight so that means we choose our calories wisely. Apricots are one of the best fruits you can eat if you are watching your glycemic index. Dried apricots have an average glycemic index of 31. I have tried growing them in this area and we have to many temperature variations in the spring. As soon as the blooms come on it freezes, so I have given up getting fruit. Fresh apricots are expensive so our next best option is dried apricots, they store for a long time and do not need any refrigeration.
Eye Health
Nutrients in apricots can help protect eyes, they are an excellent source of vitamin A. Researchers who studied over 50,000 registered nurses found the women who had the highest vitamin A intake reduced their risk of developing cataracts by nearly 40%.
Build Strong Bones
Apricots provide a significant source of potassium. Potassium is a mineral and electrolyte that helps you maintain proper fluid balance, aids in muscle function, and helps regulate heartbeat. Potassium also promotes healthy digestion and strong bones. Getting sufficient amounts of potassium each day can help you maintain normal blood pressure and might reduce your risk of having a stroke.
Benefits Of Organic Dried Figs
Figs have been around for centuries, probably originating in Egypt. Most folks have never had a dried fig except in a Fig Newton cookie as a child. Figs have some great health benefits that make them worth adding to your diet.
Build Strong Bones
They contain the essential bone building trio of magnesium, calcium, and vitamin K2. Without magnesium, calcium is not absorbed by the body, and without K2, calcium leaches into the blood and out of your bones causing calcification of the inner linings of the blood vessels.
Heart Health
In addition to minimizing calcium deposits in your blood vessels, the magnesium and potassium in figs are essential for maintaining a healthy heart and keeping blood pressure in line. Figs help lower serum triglyceride levels which are markers for predicting heart health issues better then cholesterol readings.
High in Fiber
Figs are high in both soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber helps slow digestion and make you feel fuller. It also helps stabilize and lower blood sugar levels. Insoluble fiber provides the bulk needed to help cleanse the large intestine and eliminate waste, reducing constipation. Both types of fiber combine as useful tools for weight management.
Eye Health
Dried figs are at the top of the dried fruit list for phenol antioxidant levels. Fruit antioxidants have demonstrated higher eye health benefits than vegetable antioxidants, including carrots, even offering protection against age related macular degeneration (ARMD), the leading cause of blindness.
Figs are alkaline
Figs are alkaline producing, helping the body achieve and maintain that optimum 7.0-7.4 pH reading to lead a disease-free healthy life.
High in Iron
Figs are very high in iron, the mineral that helps create red blood cells and prevent anemia. Pregnant women are encouraged to keep their red blood cell levels high. So ditch the pickles and chocolates and snack on dried figs if you're expecting.
Sources
Natural News; Seven amazing reasons to eat more figs Thursday, July 25, 2013 by: PF Louis
whfoods.com