Raisins: Which Myths About Them Are True and Which Are Not
Everyone, young and old, knows what raisins are. Dried dark or light colored grapes are loved by both children and adults. Raisins are suitable for consumption as a separate dish and as an additive to porridge, salads, and kvass.
However, the subtleties of its selection and use, as well as its beneficial properties, are not fully understood and understood. Therefore, raisins are surrounded by a considerable number of myths. Let's look at some of them.
Myth number one: light raisins are much healthier than dark ones.
Is this true? Not quite. Light raisins are often called sultanas, while dark ones are called currants. Different grape varieties are used to obtain each of them. Accordingly, the content of useful substances in each type of raisin is different. Thus, dark, or Corinthian, raisins contain more protein than light ones, but currants contain more flavonoids. And their taste qualities are also different. Sultanas perfectly complement the taste of porridge, fruit salads and gravies for fish and meat, and currants are used as an additive to kvass and baked goods.
The second myth is that raisins can be consumed by everyone and in any quantity.
No, that's not true: like any other product, raisins have their own side effects and contraindications. Dried grapes are rich in fiber, the abundance of which can cause discomfort in the stomach and even provoke diarrhea. But this property can also help if you or someone close to you is looking for a natural and effective remedy for constipation.
Myth number three: Even people diagnosed with diabetes are allowed to eat raisins.
This is partly true: raisins can be eaten with this disease. But, of course, you need to know when to stop: raisins contain quite a lot of glucose and fructose, even more than fresh grapes. It is acceptable to eat several raisins a day, but no more.
The fourth myth is that raisins help to increase potency and prolong the duration of sexual intercourse in men.
But this is the pure truth. Raisins are considered an aphrodisiac that improves potency, and glucose and fructose stimulate the release of energy, helping to "hold on" longer during sex. Therefore, advice to ladies: when preparing a romantic dinner, add a little light or dark raisins to the sauce for meat or to the salad to excite your partner and achieve a logical continuation of the evening.
Myth number five: To fall asleep quickly and sleep soundly, you can use raisins as a natural sleeping pill.
And this statement is also true. Raisins are rich in melatonin, a hormone responsible for regulating sleep and wake cycles. Nowadays, many people take melatonin in tablets, but the cost of the drugs is quite high. So you can improve your sleep and save money by simply eating a handful of raisins or Corinthian raisins at night.
The sixth myth, which can be considered true, is that raisins, previously soaked in strong drinks (gin or rum), can relieve pain and swelling in arthritis.
But there is no medical evidence for this. Most likely, the pain is reduced by the alcohol component of such "drunk" raisins. Therefore, it is better to resort to proven ointments and tablets when arthritis worsens.
And the last, seventh myth, which is still true, is that it is healthier to eat not dried raisins, but those that have been soaked in clean water the day before.
Yes, this is true: after all, to preserve raisins, producers treat them with preservatives, and water helps remove these preservatives from the raisins.
In addition, after soaking you will get not only softer and more pleasant tasting raisins, but also raisin water, which also contains vitamins and antioxidants. Drinking it in the morning is useful for normal bowel function and the tone of the whole body.
