According to modern nutritionists, Eastern dried fruits - raisins, dried apricots, dates and prunes - are considered the most useful for preserving youth and heart health. These treats have been present at the traditional Turkmen dastarkhan since ancient times. Our distant ancestors, having gathered for a meal, drank tea from bowls with a bite of these dried fruits.
Setting off on a long journey through the deserts and mountains, the caravans took dried fruits and berries with them on the road. On long journeys, these products gave strength and energy, saturating the body with the necessary vitamins and minerals.
For example, when dried, raisins retain the maximum amount of trace elements and vitamins. Raisins are rich in iodine, which helps to normalize the functions of the thyroid gland, it contains potassium, B vitamins, due to which blood pressure decreases, and also reduces the inflammatory process in the body. Raisins are recommended for nervous exhaustion and insomnia.
Dried apricots, which contain a large amount of vitamins, also help support the immune system. Dried apricot fruits are useful for kidney disease, as they stimulate urination. Dried apricots have a beneficial effect on the work of the gastrointestinal tract. It contains minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus and sodium, which affect the strengthening of bone tissue in the body.
A good prevention of cardiovascular diseases is the use of prunes. Thanks to the high concentration of boron, these dried fruits help fight osteoporosis. Also, prunes are useful for anemia; they contain many antioxidants that rid cells of free radicals that prevent the development of cancer.
Dates are considered food for long-livers. Enriched with copper, iron, magnesium, zinc, manganese, potassium and calcium, they increase brain performance, normalize blood pressure, and help fight viral infections and coughs.
These fruits are quite high in calories - there are 274 calories per 100 grams of dates, they also contain vitamins A, C, B1, B2 and B6.
A Persian proverb says: "Unripe grapes become raisins, but raisins become grapes never." Therefore, drying fruits and berries has become one of the oldest ways to preserve the harvest. Dried fruits preserve useful properties; they are high in calories and contain a large amount of easily digestible sugar. However, do not forget that any sweets are good in moderation.
Svetlana Chirtsova
