Fresh or Dried?!
Question: Do dried fruits keep their same nutritional value as if they were fresh? The thing is, I can't stand bananas. But if they are dried they are alright. I need the potassium but pills aren't my best friend so vitamins are out. Are dried bananas just as effective?
Answers: Do dried fruits keep their same nutritional value as if they were fresh? The thing is, I can't stand bananas. But if they are dried they are alright. I need the potassium but pills aren't my best friend so vitamins are out. Are dried bananas just as effective?
Fresh is better because usually the dried fruit has added sugars and preservatives. Try making a smoothie with Banana, Strawberry & Plain Yogurt. The strawberry will cover some of the banana flavor up and it's really good for you.
bananas are good for you and if you dont like fruits eat vagerble
Some research has shown dried blueberries to be as much as four times higher in antioxidants than their fresh counterparts. However, because most drying processes cause significant loss of nutrients and concentrate sugar and calories, fresh fruit is a better bet in terms of nutrition. Here's why:
* Pretreatments in the drying process, such as the addition of sulfur dioxide, help protect some nutrients while degrading others. Sulfur dioxide preserves vitamins A and C but destroys thiamine. (Vitamin A is essential for normal growth and also helps regulate metabolism, and vitamin C is important for growth and repair of body tissue. Thiamin [vitamin B1] helps the body convert carbohydrates into energy.)
* Often, fruits or vegetables are briefly boiled or steamed before drying to speed up the drying process and kill disease-causing microorganisms. This blanching helps to preserve carotene and thiamine but causes the loss of ascorbic acid (vitamin C). (Carotene is a precursor to vitamin A, the importance of which is described above.)
* Exposure to light and oxygen can further degrade nutrients.
* High heat drying may reduce the Protein Efficiency Ratio, a measure of the quality of proteins in food, making it more difficult for the body to use the protein in the fruit.
On the up side, besides antioxidants, dried fruit has a few other benefits. It's high in fiber, so it may help relieve constipation, lower blood cholesterol, and control diabetes. It's also a healthier alternative to other sugary snacks and a good source of quick energy for athletes or others who burn lots of calories. Many dried fruits are also high in iron, potassium, and selenium