Sultana or golden raisins are dried forms of grapes with interesting health benefits that always tempt you for buying them.
Sultanas Raisins types
Raisins are dried grapes that are consumed all over the world and contain beneficial elements for human health.
They are rich in fiber and phytochemicals such as phenolic compounds.
Despite being 60% sugar, several studies have reported health-promoting properties of raisins, and this review combines interventional studies as well as cell line and animal model studies conducted to date.
Raisins are shown to have a low to moderate glycemic index, making them a healthy snack.
They appear to improve diet quality and may reduce appetite.
Its antioxidant capacity has been linked to its phenol content and may be involved in improving cardiovascular health.
In addition, raisins maintain good oral health due to their antibacterial activity, less tooth adhesion, and ideal oral ph.
Raisin consumption also appears to be beneficial for colon function, although more studies are needed to conclude this benefit.
In addition, the gut microbiota may be influenced by the prebiotic content of raisins.
Cell line studies and animal models show other potential benefits in certain diseases, such as cancer and Alzheimer's disease.
However, deeper research and future interventional studies with humans are needed.
In general, adding 80-90 grams of raisins (half a cup) to the daily diet can be beneficial for human health.
Raisins are dried grapes mostly obtained from different species of Vitis vinifera L.
They are widely consumed all over the world.
sultanas raisins difference
A growing interest in phytochemicals lies in their biological and physiological activities along with health-promoting properties.
Polyphenols are secondary plant metabolites and are said to have many biological effects.
The main polyphenols found in raisins are phenolic acids (caftaric acid, coutaric acid) and flavanols (quercetin, kaempferol glycosides, and rutin).
Anthocyanins have also been identified. Both total and individual phenolic content varied greatly between different raisin cultivars.
Other phytochemicals found in raisins are triterpenoids (oleanolic acid, oleanolic aldehyde, betulin, and betulinic acid) and tartaric acid, which work synergistically with fiber to maintain a healthy digestive system.
Despite the presence of these beneficial elements, some authors have described the presence of ochratoxin A (OTA) in raisins.
OTA is a mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus ochraceus and other species of Aspergillus, for which it has been attributed carcinogenic, nephrotoxic, teratogenic, immunotoxic, and potentially neurotoxic properties.
Raisins can become contaminated with mushrooms if a wave of wet weather occurs during the drying process.
Accordingly, the European Commission has set a maximum limit of 10 μg/kg for OTA in dried grapes.
Although several studies have found mycotoxin levels in raisins below the safe limit, others have reported higher samples.
sultanas raisins benefits
This was according to antioxidant capacity: white raisins had the lowest value, while red raisins had the highest value.
A correlation between total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity has been demonstrated again.
When analyzing raisin phenolic groups separately, a correlation was found between total phenolic acids and antioxidant activity, with ferulic acid being the most closely related, followed by trans-caftaric acid and coutaric acid.
In the case of total flavanols, there was also a positive correlation, with myricetin-3-O-glucoside having the closest correlation, followed by rutin, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, and quercetin-3-O-glucoside.
Sultanas raisins heath benefits
A total of 16 healthy adults consumed 84, 126, and 168 grams of raisins daily for two weeks.
The results showed that the higher the raisin intake, the greater the stool weight, while the transit time was shorter.
In addition, fecal bile acids (a potential indicator of colon cancer risk) were reduced when two servings (84 grams) of raisins per day were consumed.
Therefore, two servings of raisins per day lead to beneficial changes in colon function.
Dental Health The fact that raisins stick to teeth and are high in sugar has misled people into promoting tooth decay.