Healthy Dry Fruits

What Are the Healthiest Dried Fruits?

 Fruits are an essential part of a well-balanced diet. They are packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals. However, while raw fruit is refreshing and nutritious, it's not always as portable.

Dried fruits, on the other hand, are sweet, snackable, but do they offer the same health benefits as their raw fruit origins? Once the water is removed from fresh fruit, the remaining product is more concentrated in calories, and the drying process may also remove a significant portion of the fruit's vitamin content.  

That said, dehydrated fruits can contribute to a healthy diet, some just have more to offer than others. Here are the healthiest dried fruits you can eat.

Dried Apricots

Apricots are a nutrient-dense stone fruit, and in their raw form, they're rich in vitamins C and vitamin A. Their antioxidant content is revered for its role in the body, supporting the immune system, skin and eye health, and the fight against oxidative stress. So, it doesn't come as a surprise that many people opt for dried apricots when consuming dried fruit. 

Apricots lose a significant portion of their vitamin C during the drying process, but they remain rich in other important nutrients. They are a good source of potassium, which plays a role in hydration and muscle contraction, and copper, which is essential for red blood cell formation.

Dried Prunes

Prunes and plums have similar nutrition profiles, but prunes are often highlighted for their roles in gastrointestinal and bone health. Prunes are a good source of soluble and insoluble fiber, encouraging healthy digestion and regular bowel movements.

 The vitamin K content in prunes is praised for its antioxidant properties that help prevent bone loss and encourage bone formation. Prunes are also rich in vitamin B6, an important nutrient for brain development and keeping the immune and nervous systems healthy.