9 Incredible Health Benefits Of Raisins You Need To Know

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You may not pay much heed to the tiny, shriveled grapes that you find in your fruit cake or the energy bar you snack on but the humble raisin has more to it than meets the eye. Mankind has been munching on this dried fruit for over 5000 years. While the Greeks had them as a snack or dessert, the Indians mention the benefits of raisins in their ancient medicinal text, Ayurveda.

The raisins that you usually find in stores year round are made from thompson seedless grapes. They develop a natural brown color when dried in the sun. You can also choose from other types of raisins like currants made with black corinth grapes, monukka raisins, and sultanas.

Raisins are a compact powerhouse of nutrients and minerals which help maintain and improve several body functions. And if you’re having second thoughts about adding them to your diet because they’re too sweet, raisins just might surprise you. Read this list to find out all the wonderful benefits raisins have to offer.

Tip: Always go for sun-dried brown raisins instead of golden ones. The golden color is a result of treating grapes with sulfur dioxide during the dehydration process.

Benefits Of Eating Raisins

1. Maintains Eye Health

Raisins have antioxidant properties which maintain healthy vision

When it comes to health, most people take their eyes for granted, but as we age, our eyes too could suffer from degeneration. The polyphenolic phytonutrients in raisins have antioxidant properties which can help you maintain healthy vision. Research has shown that phytochemicals which act as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents help prevent or delay the progression of eye diseases like cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration.1 Raisins also contain carotenoids and vitamin A, both of which are known to contribute to eye health.

2. Fights Gastric Cancer 

Raisins can kill and inhibit the growth of gastric cancer cells


3. Relieves Constipation

Raisins ease bowel movement

As much as you’d like to avoid talking about it, smooth bowel movement is one of the most important signs of good health. Foods that are rich in dietary fiber have been known to ease bowel movement as they add bulk to the digested food making it move smoothly through the intestines. Research tells us that sun-dried raisins also have a similar effect. They not only reduce the transit time of digested food in the gastrointestinal tract but also reduce toxic bile fluids responsible for colon cancer.3

4. Keeps Anemia At Bay

Raisins fight anemia

The condition of your blood pretty much dictates the health of all the organs in your body. This is because your blood is responsible for carrying oxygen to each and every cell. Deficiency of vitamin B and iron can affect your blood’s ability to transport oxygen to your cells and tissues causing anemia. Raisins contain both iron and vitamin B complex that help in the formation of new blood and are part of the recommended dietary supplement for anemia by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.4 Another reason why raisins should be a part of your daily diet.

5. Frees From Hypertension

Raisins keep your blood pressure under control

Your health is largely a result of your lifestyle, which over the past few decades has become more and more sedentary. Sitting all day at work and ordering things you need through an app means you hardly do physical activity. Obesity, lack of physical activity, and having junk food full of salt has caused an increase in the number of people with hypertension (high blood pressure).

The best way out is to exercise regularly and also include raisins in your diet because raisins have several compounds like iron, potassium, and vitamin B-complex that can help maintain red blood cell count and keep your blood pressure under control.5

6. Makes Bones Strong

Raisins help in calcium absorption of bones

In a bid to build strength, people focus on consuming more protein for muscle growth but forget that strong bones are just as important. Calcium is what makes your bones hard and you need to make sure your diet gives you enough of it. Raisins not only provide calcium but also contain the micro nutrient boron which helps in calcium absorption. Raisins have also been known to prevent calcium loss and bone demineralization in post menopausal women.6

7. Fights Tooth Decay

 Raisins can also help you keep your teeth strong and healthy

Along with your bones, raisins can also help you keep your teeth strong and healthy. Raisins contain a phytochemical known as oleanolic acid which has antibacterial properties. Research has shown that oleanolic acid prevents the growth of common bacteria which cause cavities and tooth decay.7 So when you have raisins the next time, you might want to chew them slowly to get a good mouth cleanse.

8. Helps Manage Weight

Benefits of raisins weight loss




9. Builds Cardiovascular Health

Raisins can lower the levels of bad cholesterol

If you want to keep your heart healthy, your cholesterol levels need to be kept in check and having raisins is a natural and healthy way to do it. Increased levels of low-density lipids (LDL) in the body have been known to be a major cause of heart attacks. Studies have shown that raisins can lower the levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides in the body and help in maintaining cardiac health.8

Other Benefits Of Raisins

Other benefits of Raisins


  • Fever: Raisins every day could actually keep the doctor away. The phenolic phytonutrients present in raisins are also known for their antibiotic, germicidal, and antioxidant properties. Having raisins can help fight away fevers caused by infections.
  • Clear Skin: Raisins can possibly also help you look young and healthy on the outside. They are loaded with antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals responsible for skin aging and skin damage.
  • Sexual Function: Along with other beneficial compounds, raisins also contain arginine. Research has shown that arginine can improve sexual performance in men.9 This could be why some cultures give raisins to newly wed couples.
  • Acidity: Raisins contain potassium and magnesium, both of which act as antacids. Though there is no conclusive research on the antacid properties of raisins, having them regularly could help neutralize body acids and maintain the natural pH level.

Who Shouldn’t Have Raisins

Raisins are generally safe for most people to have. Having upto 1.5 ounces or about 80-90 raisins can fulfill half your daily fruit requirement. While raisins are recommended as a safe dessert option for diabetics, talk to your doctor about the right portion size. Raisins can cause spikes in blood sugar as 2 tablespoons of raisins contain 15 grams of carbohydrate.10


Benefits Of Soaked Raisins

benefits of raisins soaked in water


Ayurvedic Recipe For Soaked Raisins

  • Soak 8-10 raisins overnight in about 8 ounces of water.
  • Next morning blend the bloated raisins with the same water.
  • Consume on an empty stomach.


References   [ + ]

1. Rhone, Michael, and Arpita Basu. “Phytochemicals and age-related eye diseases.” Nutrition reviews 66, no. 8 (2008): 465-472.
2. Kaliora, Andriana C., Aggeliki M. Kountouri, Vaios T. Karathanos, Lemonica Koumbi, Nikolaos G. Papadopoulos, and Nikolaos K. Andrikopoulos. “Effect of Greek raisins (Vitis vinifera L.) from different origins on gastric cancer cell growth.” Nutrition and cancer 60, no. 6 (2008): 792-799.
3. Spiller, Gene A., Jon A. Story, Tanya A. Lodics, Margaret Pollack, Sharon Monyan, Gail Butterfield, and Monica Spiller. “Effect of Sun-Dried Raisins on Bile Acid Excretion, Intestinal Transit Time, and Fecal Weight: A Dose–Response Study.” Journal of medicinal food 6, no. 2 (2003): 87-91.
4. Dietary Changes and Supplements. How Is Anemia Treated. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
5. Puglisi, Michael J., Ushma Vaishnav, Sudeep Shrestha, Moises Torres-Gonzalez, Richard J. Wood, Jeff S. Volek, and Maria Luz Fernandez. “Raisins and additional walking have distinct effects on plasma lipids and inflammatory cytokines.” Lipids in health and disease 7, no. 1 (2008): 14.
6. Nielsen, Forrest H., Curtiss D. Hunt, Loanne M. Mullen, and Janet R. Hunt. “Effect of dietary boron on mineral, estrogen, and testosterone metabolism in postmenopausal women.” The FASEB journal 1, no. 5 (1987): 394-397.
7. Park, Soon-Nang, Sug-Joon Ahn, and Joong-Ki Kook. “Oleanolic acid and ursolic acid inhibit peptidoglycan biosynthesis in Streptococcus mutans UA159.” Brazilian Journal of Microbiology 46, no. 2 (2015): 613-617.
8. Anderson, James W., and Ashley R. Waters. “Raisin consumption by humans: effects on glycemia and insulinemia and cardiovascular risk factors.” Journal of food science 78, no. s1 (2013): A11-A17.
9. Stanislavov, R., and V. Nikolova. “Treatment of erectile dysfunction with pycnogenol and L-arginine.” Journal of Sex &Marital Therapy 29, no. 3 (2003): 207-213.
10. Fruits. American Diabetes Association.
11. Choi, Young K., Fredrick C. Johlin, Robert W. Summers, Michelle Jackson, and Satish SC Rao. “Fructose intolerance: an under-recognized problem.” The American journal of gastroenterology 98, no. 6 (2003): 1348-1353.
12. Johari, Harish. Ayurvedic Healing Cuisine. Inner Traditions/Bear & Co. 1994