The raisin is a dried grape that originated thousands of years ago by nature -- unpicked grapes drying in the sun was the inspiration that sent people on the mission to cultivate them. In the late-19th century, a Scottish immigrant introduced the first seedless grape in California that was later named after him, the Thompson Seedless, which is the primary grape used for making raisins. Raisins have nutritional value similar to grapes, but the effect is typically more concentrated because raisins are small and people generally eat more of them.The nutrients in raisins have benefits for general health and digestion.
Fiber
The fiber content in raisins is perhaps the most compelling digestive-supportive nutrient they provide. A 1-cup serving offers 5.4 grams, which is approximately one-fourth of the amount the American Dietetic Association recommends you consume each day. Fiber is indigestible plant matter that gathers in the intestines, absorbing waste, and when enough accumulates, the pressure against the intestinal walls stimulates peristalsis, or muscle contractions, that propels elimination.
Minerals
The minerals in the human body, also known as electrolytes, control fluid balance that influences the digestive system because hydration within the intestines is necessary to form stool consistency that easily exits the colon. If a lack of fluid causes waste to remain in the intestines, called constipation, waste remains in the intestines and may re-enter the bloodstream via the small intestine and cause oxidative damage within the body. In other words, frequent elimination is a benefit that minerals encourage. A 1-cup serving of raisins provides 46 milligrams of magnesium and 1,086 milligrams of potassium, which is 12 and 31 percent of the 400-milligram and 3,500-milligram ADA daily values, respectively.
Carbohydrates
The digestion of carbohydrates is particularly important, because cases of diabetes in the United States are rising and finding ways to mitigate the problem is important for public health. Raisins provide a high level of carbohydrates compared with other foods. A 1-cup serving yields 115 grams, approximately one-third of the 300-gram ADA daily recommendation. Eating them with other foods that provide healthy fats, additional fiber and protein slows the body's utilization of carbohydrates, more judiciously allotting their release into the bloodstream with other nutrients to prevent unhealthy rises in blood sugar.
Protein
The protein composition in raisins is higher relative to most fruits and helps raisins' carbohydrates digest more healthfully without the addition of other foods. The amount in one cup is 4.5 grams, which is approximatley 10 percent of the 50-gram daily allotment the ADA recommends.
