What the Heck Is a Raisin, Anyway and Why Would I Want to Eat One?

At our clinics, we offer the most efficient and powerful hormone replacement regimens available. Our specialties are Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT), Human Growth Hormone (HGH) replacement therapy, and Sermorelin therapy.

But we don't stop with hormone replacement. We offer a comprehensive nutritional program that is custom-made for you and uniquely for you. Here is a small example of our in-depth food recommendations.

Truth be told, you probably can't eat just one raisin. After eating the first one, your palate, brain, and tummy will sing one word in harmony: "More!"

Raisins taste good. But what are they? They're ultra-simple. They're just dried grapes. They are hardly processed at all. (Usually, they have zero preservatives or added chemicals.) They're made by just putting fresh grapes out in the sun for a few days and rotating them for even exposure.

That's it. The sun dries them, and they become raisins! And, being dried, they have a very concentrated, intense flavor and a dense concentration of calories too.

And they stay fresh for a reasonably long time. They can be added to other foods like bread, cereals, and pastries, or they can be eaten just as they are.

When you buy them in the grocery store, one small box of them contains about 1.5 ounces -- a little under 100 raisins -- and two such boxes will provide half the daily recommended amount of fruit servings for the average man, and more than that, two thirds, for the average woman.

Limit the Amount of Dried Fruit if Trying to Lose Weight

If you need to cut down on calories and sugar, you should only eat them in moderate amounts because there's a lot of natural, unrefined sugar in these little sweet treats. People trying to lose weight should limit themselves to just a handful.

Nevertheless, raisins in moderation are generally a good snack choice for people with diabetes since they have a low GI or glycemic index -- a number that defines how quickly a food increases blood sugar after being consumed.

Raisins have an ancient history. They were first eaten in the Middle East, spread to Europe, and became very popular in ancient Greece and Rome.

Raisins are Chock-Full of Nutrients

One-fourth of a cup of raisins contains zero fat, 0.65 milligrams of iron, one gram of fiber, 29 grams of carbohydrates, 21 grams of which is natural, unrefined sugar, and one gram of protein -- all adding up to a total of 109 calories.

The iron content in raisins can be crucial for women and people suffering from anemia.

Raisins are also a good source of boron, which helps us maintain healthy brain function, joint health, and the ability to heal injuries. They also contain significant amounts of vitamin B6, copper, manganese, and iron.

A Plentiful Source of Potassium

These tasty dried fruits also are a plentiful source of potassium, and if we don't get enough potassium in our diets, we can have an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. Raisins are simultaneously low in sodium and high in potassium, which is an excellent combination for people trying to ameliorate the problems caused by a sodium-rich diet since our bodies need more potassium the more sodium we consume.

Raisins also are an excellent source of antioxidants, which remove free radicals from your system and help protect you from cancer, other diseases, and organ damage.

So, turn up your nose at processed snacks and grab yourself a handful -- or two -- of the mighty, unique, and naturally healthy raisin!

Contact us for a FREE, no-obligation discussion of the benefits of hormone replacement therapy.

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