Do raisins prevent cancer?
A. Raisins rank among the top antioxidant foods, according to USDA government tests. Antioxidants may protect cells and their components from oxidative damage, which is a little like “rust prevention” for the body. Early findings suggest that eating plenty of fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants – such as raisins and spinach – may help slow the processes associated with aging in both body and brain. Q. I eat five prunes before my evening meal every day to help stay “regular”. Could I get the same result by eating a serving of raisins? A. The ability of all fruits to maintain regularity is related to the amount of fiber, specific sugars and phytochemicals in that fruit. For the same amount of fiber as five prunes (2.3 grams), consume about 5 tablespoons of raisins (1 1/3 servings) with about 2.9 grams of fiber. Both raisins and prunes contain soluble and insoluble fibers. Some fibers, such as inulin from raisins, are fermented and help with laxation. However, prunes contain sorbit
