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Prunes

December 20th, 2009
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Prunes

Prunes are the dried result of a plum. Surely, we all know the biggest benefit of them is regularity! Hallelujah for that! Plums have impressive antioxidant properties, but when converted into their dried counterpart their antioxidant powers can increase by as much as 600 percent! They have a wrinkly texture on the outside and a chewy texture on the inside.

Some nutritional benefits are:

They can help with:

  • Aging-related conditions
  • Constipation

A recent study done at Oklahoma State University found that the dried fruit can help reverse bone loss due to menopause. It suggested that dried plums can reverse a particular process of osteoporosis previously thought to be irreversible.

They are used in many cooking dishes and are also used in making juice. The constipation elixir. They are a rich dietary fiber as a result.

ANTIOXIDANT FRUITS

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Freeze Dried Fruit

December 11th, 2009
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Freeze Dried Fruits

Freeze dried fruit is different than dried fruit in that the fresh fruit is quickly chilled to temperatures below zero when it is at its prime. At the very cold temperatures the moisture in the fruit is then removed, but because it is so cold all the flavors remain with the fruit. The freeze dried version melts in your mouth and is rather crunchy. It is used in cereal, trail mix, or eaten by the handful just like regular dried fruit. The powdered version (the freeze dried berries or fruit are grinded into a fine powder) are used often in smoothies or other drinks.

Because of the freeze drying process, the fruit retains the nutritious and healthful properties without any need for preservatives. It is great for flavoring almost any recipe, including smoothies, homemade ice creams, trail mixes, yogurt, etc.

Buying freeze dried berries and fruits makes it easy to get your favorite nutritional fruit when it is out of season. Afterall, there are only a few weeks every year where some fruit is available, like pomegranate. Whereas, other berries that are harder to come by and harder to keep fresh are excellent as freeze dried versions, like the acai berry. Freeze dried berries do not require any refrigeration or freezing, they retain more nutrients, and the flavors are so concentrated you do not need very much of the powder for your favorite drinks, dips, smoothies, dressing, etc. Unlike the fresh fruit that is only available for a short time and then molds, the freeze dried fruit will last as long as it is stored in a cool dry place.

ANTIOXIDANT FRUITS

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Dried Fruit

December 11th, 2009
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 Dried Fruit

 Dried fruit is exactly what it sounds like, fruit that has been dried! The drying process might have taken place naturally or through a food dehydrator. Prunes, raisins and dates are well-known, respectively from plums, grapes and dates. Other fruits that may be dried include apricots, bananas, cranberries, kiwi, and pears.

Unlike fresh fruit, the dried version has a long shelf life so it lasts longer than fresh fruit and therefore ends up being a good alternative to its fresh version. This is especially true when fruits are not in season. Also, drying fruit is a good why to preserve a lot of the fruit’s nutrients when there is lack of refrigeration. This version of fruit is usually great for baking, as in oatmeal raisin cookies or in cereals, like Special K’s.

The dried versions have the following vitamins: A, B1, B2, B3, B6, pantothenic acid and dietary minerals: calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, copper, manganese.
Because the water is taken from the fruit during the dehydration process, the dried version tends to have a more intense flavor. Also, the drying process gets rid of a lot of the vitamin C that was in the fruit, so if you are looking for a good source of vitamin C be sure to go with the fresh version of that fruit, not the dried one.

There is also a process where companies freeze dry fruit.

ANTIOXIDANT FRUITS

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