Dried Fruits Healthy For Men?

By Madhu Babu

Dried fruits are not only delicious snacks, but also full of health benefits. The only possible downside of dried fruits could be that they are high in calories. It is important to remember that fresh fruits are much healthier. While dried fruits also have many health benefits, they are high in calories, so those of you who want to keep their weight, should pay attention to the amount of calories. In its purest form, dried fruit is just fresh fruit with the water removed.

Dehydration, in fact, causes some nutrients to become more concentrated.One portion of dried fruits equals to about 60 calories, and consists of 2-3 dates or apricots, 2 small figs, or a tablespoon of raisins or cranberries. This portion can be used as a substitute for a snack or as a nutritious and healthy substitute for sweets which is why we should not exaggerate with the quantity. Every diet regime that you have heard of includes the ever present ‘handful of dry fruits every day'.

Rich in vitamins and minerals for vitality and wellbeing, dried fruits are high in fiber. They also have considerably more nutrients than the equivalent weight of fresh fruit. That's because the nutrients are concentrated when the water is removed. Apricots, prunes, dates, figs etc, are commonly consumed dried fruits that have lots of health benefits to be enjoyed by men.

Here are some of the health benefits of dried fruits and nuts:

Preventing constipation

Preventing constipation

Dried fruits are effective in treating constipation, especially prunes and dried figs. This is because the high fiber content stimulates bowel activity. In addition, the high glucose concentration increases the gastrointestinal fluids that soften the digested food in the intestine, thereby improve bowel movement.

Preventing anaemia

Preventing anaemia

Prunes, dried apricot and raisins contain a large amount of iron. Not many know, but 100g prunes contain iron levels similar to that in 100 grams of chicken, and 100 grams of dried apricot has almost twice the iron than that of 100 grams of beef and four times than chicken. However, keep in mind that the absorption of iron from meat is better than that of plants, such as dried fruits.

Strengthening immune system

Strengthening immune system

Fresh fruits and vegetables are very effective in strengthening the immune system due to the high content of vitamin C. Keep in mind that the vitamin C in dried fruit has been destroyed and oxidized. However, orange and yellow dried fruits, such as papaya, pineapple and apricots, are rich in vitamin A and beta carotene, which strengthen the immune system and are good for the skin and hair.

Calcium to strengthen bones

Calcium to strengthen bones

Figs, walnuts and almonds are rich in calcium, but high in calories. While 100 grams of almonds will provide 250 mg of calcium, they contain more than 600 calories. Like almonds, other nuts also have many health benefits like calcium, omega 3 and magnesium, but they are all very rich in calories.

Weight Gain

Weight Gain

Raisins are very good for gaining weight, as they are full of fructose and glucose and give a lot of energy. Thus, they form an ideal part of the diet for athletes or body builders who need a lot of energy. The high energy density and high amount of dietary fiber in Cashews both are attributes to a beneficial effect on weight management.

Sexual weakness

Sexual weakness

Dates are beneficial for increasing sexual stamina. A handful of dates, when soaked in fresh goat's milk for the night and then grinded in the same milk with cardamom powder and honey, becomes a very useful tonic for increasing sex stamina.

Story first published: Sunday, December 22, 2013, 23:10 [IST]
Read more about: health nuts