It is common knowledge that eating foods high in sugar can be bad for you. Parents often try to limit the amount of candy and other sweets they allow into their children’s diets, as they can result in bad oral health. Most sweets are bad for you, because they contain sucrose – a type of sugar that degrades tooth enamel, resulting in cavities. However, not all sugar is unsafe. Raisins contain fructose and glucose, which are perfectly safe for the teeth.

In fact, raisins contain phytochemicals, which inhibit cavities and have also been known to help prevent bacterial gum infections. That means that adults and children can eat raisins to satisfy their sweet tooth without the threat of bad oral health.

There are many different varieties of raisins. Scour the aisles at your local grocery store and you’re most likely to be familiar with the small, dark-colored raisins, which are made from dried green grapes. But there are many other varieties, which provide the same health benefits of dark raisins and may satisfy your sweet tooth even more. The Monukka raisin is one that is definitely worth adding to any raw foods diet.

Grown in the Himalayan mountain region, Monukka raisins are somewhat larger than dark raisins and lighter in color. The grapes are grown at high altitudes of 6,000 to 9,000 feet, in soil that is very rich in minerals. These golden-brown raisins are organic, so they never come in contact with harmful pesticides, and are allowed to fully ripen and mature before they are picked, to ensure the highest possible nutrient density. While most raisins today are oven-dried – a mechanical process that imitates the natural sun-drying process – Monukka raisins are dried naturally, using the sun’s heat. The dry air helps to add the natural sugar content that makes these raisins very sweet. They are also a bit crunchy, due to the presence of seeds. Add them to a salad or eat them for dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth. These are much healthier than cake or brownies.

In addition to promoting good oral health, raisins have many other health benefits. Low in fat and low in cholesterol, raisins are a favorite among athletes, as they are rich in glucose, fructose, amino acids, phosphorous, selenium and vitamins, which supply a high amount of energy. Raisins are also known to be rich in boron – a trace mineral known to aid in the prevention of osteoporosis. This promotes better bone health, especially in ostmenopausal women who often suffer from low estrogen levels. When a woman’s estrogen levels drop, her bones begin to weaken. As a result, many postmenopausal women undergo estrogen therapy to prevent osteoporosis. Studies reveal that the effects of boron in postmenopausal women are similar to that of estrogen therapy. In short, that means women who eat raisins can worry less about developing osteoporosis, post-menopause.

Monukka raisins may also lower the risk of macular degeneration – a process that often causes vision loss in the elderly. All raisins are rich in antioxidants, and contain a high amount of phenol, which helps to prevent damage to the body’s cells. Though many of the phenols in grapes are lost in the sun-drying process, raisins contain flavonols – one type of phenol that is not as affected by the sun. This dried fruit also contains Catechin, an antioxidant, which may prevent certain cancers, including colon cancer. Historically, raisins have played a significant role in Ayurveda, as they are considered to be highly beneficial to one’s health and are used a lot in Indian cooking.

People who are looking for a healthy way to satisfy their sweet tooth can choose to eat raw, organic Monukka raisins. Whether as an afternoon snack, a salad topping, or even a dessert, Monukka raisins have many health benefits and also happen to be quite tasty.

Sources:
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=33
http://www.mapi.com/ayurveda_health_care/newsletters/ayurveda_&_raisins.html
http://www.recipetips.com/glossary-term/t--38793/monukka-raisin.asp

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