Benefits  of Dried Fruits
Dried Fruits are the natural or mechanical process where fruits become dry due to fall in their moisture content. For example when the moisture content of fruit like grapes falls below 20 to 30 percent then it turns into a dried fruit and we call it as Rasins. Dry Fruits are also called as Nuts.
The drying process is quite easy. The fresh fruits can be either dried in the sunlight or in oven. Then this dried fruits are stored in refrigerator for longer time.
Dried fruit has more calories as compared to fresh fruits and hence it should be taken in moderate amount.

The common dried fruits are Almonds, Cashew nuts, Raisins (black or yellow), Walnuts, Pistachios.

• Almonds - Almonds are called as Badam in Indian Language. Almonds are most widely used dry fruit all over the world. It is surely nutritious but also helps to prevent and cure many diseases.
  1) According to some research study it is found that almonds help to prevent lung and prostate cancer.
  2) Almonds has the content called Flavonoids which helps to prevent or suppress the breast cancer cells.
  3) Almonds also works well when applied externally in skin complaints. Almonds can applied on the face or skin if there are problems like skin acne, skin itching, skin tanning, etc. Soak the almonds in warm water for 3 to 5 hours and then make the paste with milk. Apply this paste regularly to the face, it helps to glow the face and reduce the acne.
  4) Almonds are also nutritious to the hair. Almond oil helps in the hair growth.
  5) Daily intake of 1 to 2 soaked almonds helps to improve the memory, reduce the high blood pressure problem and reduce the constipation.
   
• Cashew Nuts - Cashews are high in calories and rich source of fiber, vitamins and minerals.
  1) Cashews contain fatty acids which helps to increase the HDL cholesterol which is good cholesterol and reduce the LDL which is bad cholesterol and thus helps to prevent the heart diseases and strokes.
  2) Cashews are also rich in multi- vitamins like vitamin B1, vitamin B5 and Vitamin B6 which are essential for the metabolism of protein, fats and carbohydrates.
  3) Cashews also has high content of minerals like copper and zinc. They regulate the growth and development of the body, sperm production and energy production.
   
• Rasins  - Rasins are available in black and golden .
  1) Rasins contain phytonutrients and olenolic acid which maintains the oral hygiene by preventing the gum and oral diseases.
  2) Rasins are antioxidants. Antioxidants are said to act as anti-aging  tool and may prevent the dreadful diseases like cancers.
  3) Daily intake of rasins proves beneficial for women as it helps to fight against the osteoporosis and maintain the health.
  4) Rasins also helps to reduce the cholesterol levels and risk of heart diseases.
  5) Rasins are good source of iron which helps to prevent anemia and weakness especially in women.
  6) If you want to increase your body weight then start eating rasins daily. It provides lot of energy.
   
• Walnuts - Walnut is an edible fruit of the tree and it looks like the structure of human brain. Walnuts are full of nutrients.
  1) Walnuts are helpful to reduce the bad cholesterol level that is LDL cholesterol. It helps to prevent the strokes and may be reduces the blood pressure levels.
  2) Researcher had studied that walnuts helps to prevent or fight against the cancers like prostate and breast cancer.
  3) Walnuts are the rich source of proteins, minerals, vitamins and fibers.
  4) It is seen that people who eat walnuts atleast 2-3 times week has less chance of gaining weight as compared to those who don't eat at all.
   
• Pistachios (Pista) - They are the dried fruit grown widely in Asian region.
  1) Pistachios are the rich source of Vitamin E which acts as antioxidants and necessary for the integrity of cell membranes of skin. Hence it maintains the healthy and glowing skin.
  2) Pistachios are good source of vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 helps in brain activities and increases the immunity to fight against the diseases. It also helps to make hemoglobin and increases the oxygen carriage from blood to the cells.
  3) They contain carotenoids which reduces the risk of eye damage and vision impairment.

Daily moderate intake of dried fruits are always beneficial. Dried fruits can be  taken with milk , during the breakfast or at night during bedtime.