Dried fruit is made by dehydrating fresh fruits. Frequently, the fruits are pretreated to help preserve them before drying them in the sun or in an oven. You can make dried fruit yourself or buy it in your local grocery or health food store. The drying process concentrates some of the nutrients of the fruit, while others are lost.
Types
Many different types of dried fruits are available to eat. Some of the most common ones are raisins, which are made from grapes, and prunes, which are made from plums, as well as apricots cranberries and dates. Dried pineapple, mangoes, apples and pears are also usually easy to find in your local grocery store. The method of preparation, such as blanching, before drying a particular fruit varies depending on the fruit and can affect the nutritional content.
Benefits
Dried fruit is high in fiber, which is important for your digestive health. Fiber aids digestion and helps relieve constipation, and has also been linked to lower blood cholesterol, according to the Health Services at Columbia University. Fiber also helps you feel full longer.
Drawbacks
Natural fruit sugars are concentrated in dried fruit due to the drying process. And sometimes sugar is added during the pretreatment process, notes the website Seasonal Chef. This makes dried fruit generally higher in sugar per serving than fresh fruit.
Benefits
Many dried fruits are high in such minerals as potassium and iron, which are important for your blood. The vitamin content of dried fruits varies depending on the natural content of the fruit and the pretreatment process it underwent before drying. For example, sulfur dioxide pretreatment preserves vitamins A and C but destroys thiamine, whereas blanching preserves thiamine but destroys vitamin C, according to the Health Services at Columbia. Check the packaging of your dried fruit to find out its vitamin and mineral content.
Warnings
Many dried fruits have added sulfites as part of the pretreatment process. Some people may have allergic reactions to sulfites and should be careful when eating dried fruit. Choose organic dried fruits to avoid added sulfites.
Considerations
Dried fruit makes a convenient, easy snack and is healthier than many other options, such as chips or candy. A serving of dried fruit fulfills one of your daily recommended fruit servings, but fresh fruit is a better choice.
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