Raisins

Eating a handful of raisins three times a day may help control blood sugar and blood pressure.

• In a recent study, conducted by Harold Bays, MD, medical director and president of Louisville Metabolic and Atherosclerosis Research Center (L-MARC), Those wrinkled little guys significantly reduced systolic blood pressure in participants over a 12 week period compared to no change when those same participants ingested pre-packaged crackers and cookies. Raisins are a whole food rather than a processed/pre-packaged food,and so offer the body what it needs.
  

Dr. Hays states, “Raisins are packed with potassium, which is known to lower blood pressure,” Dr. Bays said. “They are also a good source of antioxidant dietary fiber that may favorably alter the biochemistry of blood vessels, causing them to be less stiff, which in turn, may reduce blood pressure.”

• In a similar study, raisins also significantly decreased mean post-meal glucose levels by 16 percent when eaten three times a day.

“Raisins have a relatively low glycemic index and contain fiber and antioxidants, all factors which contribute to blood sugar control,” said James Painter, Ph.D., R.D., and nutrition research advisor for the California Raisin Marketing Board. “Decreasing blood sugar and maintaining normal hemoglobin A1c levels is important because it can prevent long-term damage to the heart and circulatory system.”

Between the health benefits of the raisins, and the cinnamon in my Cinnamon Raisin, my sweet hummus can be a great, little “indulgence” for diabetics and heart patients.