Raisins rank among the top antioxidant foods, according to
USDA government tests. Early findings suggest that eating
plenty of fruits high in antioxidants, such as raisins may
help slow the processes associated with aging in both body
and brain.
Andrew J. Dannenberg, M.D. a cancer researcher at the Weill
Medical College of Cornell University reports that the
antioxidant catechin, found in raisins and some other fruits
and vegetables, in the diet of mice genetically predisposed
to intestinal tumors reduced the number of tumors by at
least 70 percent compared to the control group. This type of
study adds to the body of evidence which shows that
components of fruits and vegetables have the potential to
reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, colorectal adenomas
and other gastrointestinal tumors.
Carl L. Keen, Ph.D. from the University of California Davis
reports that a significant amount of raisins eaten daily for
4 weeks increased the plasma antioxidant capacity. This in
turn decreased the level of circulating oxidized low-density
lipoprotein (LDL) also known as the “bad cholesterol”. These
data clearly show raisins are an important part of 5-a-day
diet and that benefits of eating raisins are similar to
benefits seen when eating other fruits and vegetables with
these plant antioxidants.
Christine D. Wu, M.S., Ph.D. of the University of Illinois
at Chicago, College of Dentistry has found that raisins
contain compounds including oleanolic acid that inhibit in
vitro growth of Streptococcus.mutans, the bacteria in the
mouth responsible for tooth decay. Oleanic acid and other
compounds in raisins also inhibit organisms associated with
periodontal disease, including Porphyromonas gingivalis and
Fusobacterium nucleatum. Oleanolic acid is most effective in
suppressing in vitro plaque formation by Streptococcus
mutans. Prevention of plaque building up on the tooth
surface is critical both for preventing tooth decay and
promoting healthy gums.
Mary Ellen Camire, Ph.D. of the University of Maine reports
that dietary fiber and other components may reduce the risk
of heart disease and cancer by binding bile acids and
causing their elimination from the body. Camire’s study
confirms that eating fibrous foods, such as raisins,
stimulates the body to replace the bile acids that have been
eliminated by making them from its own cholesterol, thus
potentially lowering serum cholesterol and the risk of
coronary heart disease. Furthermore, bile acids that are
bound by fibers such as those in raisins will not be
metabolized to a more toxic form and this may potentially
reduce cancer risk.
Gene A. Spiller, Ph.D. of the Sphera Foundation and Health
Research Studies Center - Los Altos, CA reports feeding of
raisins along with peanuts to 10-12 year old children prior
to a soccer game resulted in lower increases in blood
glucose and insulin than a snack of a white bagel and jam.
This is important because it means a more steady fuel supply
to the exercising muscle of the young players. Lower insulin
levels are advantageous because high levels of circulating
insulin can promote the laying down of fat and may lead to
insulin resistance, a concern among US children today, where
rates of obesity and type 2 Diabetes are increasing.
You, your family and your children can enjoy all of the
health benefits that raisins have to offer with your
favorite Wholefood Farmacy foods such as
Phi Plus,
Cranberry
Phi,
Fruitalicious,
Fruitalicious Plus and
Cornaborealis.
The Wholefood Farmacy Team
