Avoiding colds and strengthening the immune system is a normal desire of every person. For this purpose, all kinds of additives, medications, and artificial vitamins are used. In order to keep the body in good shape, it is not necessary to take pharmaceuticals. You can solve health problems with the help of familiar products or their mixtures.
Few people think about how many vitamins and medicinal substances are contained in dried fruits. Dried apricots, raisins, nuts, honey and lemons can be a substitute for immunomodulatory drugs. Even individually, they carry a huge charge of vitamins. Everyone has known about the benefits of lemon and honey since childhood; not a single home treatment can do without them. Dried fruits and nuts are an alternative to candies and sweets.
Nutrient vitamin mixtures have become very popular lately. They have beneficial effects on the entire body - from treating hypertension to restoring frayed nerves, they are very tasty, and promote active metabolism, which in turn helps normalize weight.
Mixture: dried apricots, prunes, raisins, nuts, lemon and honey. What is the benefit of the mixture?
This mixture consists only of natural ingredients, each of which is a storehouse of vitamins and minerals. That is why it is so useful for adults and children. It is recommended for use by those who work in the field of mental or physical activity.
In addition to its benefits for strengthening the immune system, the mixture helps with rapid fatigue and malaise, constant drowsiness, anemia, and nervous system disorders. It is also used for homemade beauty recipes: to strengthen nails, improve the condition of hair and skin. Copes well with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system.
A special benefit for pupils and students is that this combination of natural ingredients improves brain performance and gives energy. The benefits are also invaluable for men; it helps prevent heart disease and cleanse blood vessels of cholesterol. And in adulthood, the nuts that are part of the mixture, due to the content of certain amino acids, help increase potency.
All components together complement each other with a multiple composition of vitamins A, B, C, PP, E and K, they also contain fatty acids and amino acids. Together they cope with fatigue, improve metabolism and metabolism. Potassium and calcium in their composition directly affect the functioning of the cardiovascular system, improve heart function, normalize and cleanse blood vessels, and make them elastic. Also, some components in the mixture can increase libido and male strength.
Lemon in the mixture is one of the main immunostimulating components. Nuts in the composition increase the nutritional value of the mixture and increase brain activity. Almost all types of nuts can be used here, for example:
- cedar - their special composition helps restore the health of the gastrointestinal tract in case of pancreatitis, ulcers and gastritis;
- cashews are hypoallergenic nuts that are the best at cleansing blood vessels from cholesterol, thereby reducing the risk of blood clots;
- almonds – slows down the aging process, strengthens the immune system.
In addition to dried apricots, prunes and raisins, you can add other types of dried fruits to the mixture, for example, figs, they will only increase the usefulness. Honey-nut mixture with dried fruits is a vitamin bomb that protects the body from colds and viral diseases. It is useful for those who are on a diet, for weight loss, and for proper nutrition.
Thus, each component has its own set of rich beneficial properties of the mixture. Let's look at each in more detail.
general description
This is not just a delicious dessert, but also a storehouse of vitamins, microelements and antioxidants. A mixture of walnuts, dried apricots and honey will be a complete replacement for pharmaceutical vitamin complexes, strengthen the immune system, improve the functioning of the heart, blood vessels, and other organs.
There are other advantages too. A homemade mixture of natural ingredients suitable for all family members. That is, including children, the elderly and pregnant women. the only exception may be the case of an allergic reaction to one of the components, be it walnuts, dried apricots or honey.
Honey
A natural bee product, honey is known throughout the world for its healing properties. It contains more than 300 biologically active components, including vitamins A, B and C, many micro and macroelements, amino acids, organic fatty acids, glucose and fructose, pectins and protein components. Therefore, honey brings the following benefits to the body:
- normalizes and improves metabolism and metabolism;
- improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
- fights insomnia, promotes healthy sleep;
- calms the nervous system, reduces the risk of stress, depression and other neurological disorders;
- has an antiseptic and bactericidal effect;
- heals wounds;
- fights acne and inflammatory rashes;
- is an aphrodisiac;
- improves the condition of nails, teeth, hair and skin.
The healthiest type of honey is linden; you can also use acacia and buckwheat. It is better to use a fresh liquid product, which is also a natural preservative, allowing the mixture to be stored for a long time.
Walnuts
These are high-calorie nuts, but they contain a large amount of vitamins, healthy amino acids, polyunsaturated and fatty acids. They are very nutritious, so even a small amount of them can satisfy your hunger.
Properties of walnuts:
- improvement of brain activity and memory;
- help prevent the occurrence of atherosclerosis, anemia and vitamin deficiency;
- help to develop normally, therefore useful during pregnancy and lactation, as well as for children;
- increase erection and libido, help against impotence.
In combination with honey, nuts increase their usefulness. You need to purchase nuts from trusted places; they should not have a bitter or sour smell, they should be light and clean, without darkening or mold.
Norm for children
Very often, parents remember this simple and effective way to boost immunity precisely at the moment when the kids start to get sick. From one year old, children can also receive mixtures of dried fruits and honey. But here it is important to think again about the permissible dosage. We have already said above how many walnuts you should eat per day. For children, 1/3 of the adult norm is acceptable. That is, no more than 1 nut per day.
If we are talking about ready-made mixtures, then they are given 1 teaspoon once a day. During epidemics or during a serious illness, the amount can be increased to 3 small spoons per day. Don't forget about safety precautions. If a rash, redness or other signs of an allergic reaction appear, stop using the mixture and adjust its composition so as to eliminate the allergen.
Lemon
It is used as a natural remedy to improve immunity and prevent the occurrence of colds. It contains the following components:
- Vitamin A, which has a positive effect on vision.
- B vitamins - give vitality, normalize healthy sleep, fight neuroses, depression, stress and insomnia.
- Vitamin C – prevents the occurrence of colds and fights the appearance of pathogens.
- Vitamins D, E and PP - improve the condition of teeth and bones.
- Lemon zest – normalizes the gastrointestinal tract and digestion.
- Minerals: iron, calcium, potassium, phosphorus and many other components.
Top 6 most effective dried fruits
As mentioned above, dried fruits rich in ascorbic acid, iron, copper, and folic acid contribute to an increase in hemoglobin in the blood. The richest in these components are: apples, apricots, raisins, prunes, dates, figs.
Dried apples
Apples are the richest fruit in iron. At the same time, they contain a considerable proportion of folic and ascorbic acid .
Fresh apples increase hemoglobin, but during heat treatment, most of the beneficial components break down into derivative elements, that is, apples lose their beneficial properties. That is why it is recommended to dry apple slices not in sunlight, but simply with a stream of air.
Almost all specialized fruit dryers support this function (convection without heating).
Dried apricots
Dried apricots (dried apricots) are rich in potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron and ascorbic acid.
It also contains pectin, which accelerates the removal of toxins from the body, normalizing the water-salt balance (this regulates blood viscosity). In principle, for any pathologies of the cardiovascular system, doctors recommend including dried apricots in your diet - this prevents a deficiency of hemoglobin, ascorbic acid and B vitamins, which directly affect blood production and normalize its viscosity.
Raisin
Raisins (dried grapes) are a source of iron , magnesium, thiamine, manganese and B vitamins. But it is worth considering that raisins also contain a wide range of tannins, which increase blood viscosity and increase the risk of thrombosis.
Dried fruits: raisins, dried apricots and prunes
Each of the dried fruits in the composition has its own distinctive properties. Let's look at some of them.
Dried apricots
It contains a large amount of B vitamins, especially B5. Dried apricots also contain many organic acids and minerals, including iron, phosphorus and calcium.
Properties of dried apricots:
- removes toxic substances and radionuclides from the body;
- improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system, cleanses blood vessels from cholesterol;
- improves vision;
- prevents the occurrence of colds and thyroid problems;
- helps with diabetes mellitus by reducing the amount of glucose in the blood;
- restores after operations and serious illnesses;
- helps with anemia.
The tasty and healthy qualities of dried apricots will help replace any sweets. It can help those who are on a diet and want to lose weight.
Raisin
These are dried grapes that have retained all the beneficial qualities of the original product. Raisins contain the following components:
- a large amount of B vitamins, which help fight stress, depression and neuroses, improve healthy sleep, fight insomnia and headaches;
- antioxidants that exhibit immunomodulatory properties and help quickly cure colds;
- minerals, especially calcium, potassium and phosphorus, which help prevent the occurrence of osteochondrosis and osteoporosis;
- The magnesium and potassium content in the composition strengthens the walls of blood vessels and improves heart function.
Prunes
These are dried plums, they are often used by confectioners in their products, as well as for baking. It contains a huge amount of vitamins B and C, which do an excellent job of immunostimulating properties. It also contains magnesium, phosphorus and sodium, which can cleanse blood vessels of cholesterol and fight heart pathologies.
Prunes are an excellent folk remedy against constipation, and their bactericidal properties help fight salmonella and E. coli.
Why do they raise hemoglobin?
The main effect of consuming dried fruits is that they increase the bioavailability of iron, that is, they stimulate its absorption by the body and the subsequent synthesis of hemoglobin.
Along with this, dried fruits:
- Normalize the biochemical composition of the blood. This is achieved due to the presence of a healthy amount of fiber in dried fruits. All this together normalizes the biochemical composition of the blood, allowing you to extract more micronutrients and vitamins from food.
- Stimulate intercellular metabolic processes in the bone marrow. Namely, it is in it that all formed elements are produced, including hemoglobin.
- Increases the concentration of glucose in the blood. It is directly involved in blood production.
Choosing the right ingredients
To prepare a truly healthy mixture: dried apricots, prunes, raisins, nuts, lemon, honey, you need to purchase only natural and fresh ingredients. Therefore, there are simple recommendations for choosing the right ingredients:
- Dried fruits should be soft, without an oily sheen and without damage. The color should be dark and pale, all bright colors are artificial dyes.
- Raisins should be dark, dried apricots should be dark and faded.
- Walnuts should be light in color and free from fungi and mold. It is recommended to buy it already peeled, so you can see the kernels and the presence of spoilage on them.
- Citrus fruits must be purchased without external damage or darkening of the peel. The skin should be thin and dense.
- Honey should be purchased only from trusted places or certified stores where they can guarantee the quality and benefits of the product. It is recommended to use linden or acacia honey for medicinal purposes, which are considered the most beneficial.
Recipe for preparing a healthy mixture of honey with nuts and dried fruits
To prepare a healthy mixture you need the following products:
- dried fruits - 200 grams each of dried apricots, raisins and prunes;
- honey – 100 g;
- lemon – 1 piece
- walnuts – 100 g.
Mixture: lemon, raisins, dried apricots, prunes, walnuts, honey:
- Place dried fruits in a container and pour boiling water over them for 15-20 minutes.
- Then drain the water and place the dried fruits on a paper towel until they are completely dry.
- At this time, peel and wash the walnuts, drain and fry in a frying pan. Allow the dried nuts to cool.
- Place the lemon in boiling water for a few minutes to soften the peel. Wait for the citrus to cool, cut into slices, removing the seeds.
- Place all ingredients in a blender or meat grinder and grind thoroughly until completely mixed.
- Add warm liquid honey to the resulting mixture.
This product should be transferred to a glass container and tightly closed, stored in the refrigerator on the bottom shelf. This very tasty product can be stored for up to several months, but it is better to cook a little according to the recipe and eat it within 1-2 weeks.
In what cases is it necessary to take a healing composition?
A vitamin mixture of honey, nuts, dried apricots, raisins, prunes and lemon, according to reviews, can be taken for preventive purposes without waiting for illness. But it is worth knowing the signs of vitamin deficiency and low hemoglobin in order to start taking a useful natural medicine in a timely manner.
Symptoms of vitamin deficiency
Vitamin deficiency can be determined by the following signs:
- By the appearance of hair, nails, skin. When the body lacks vitamins, hair begins to split, nails become split, and the skin becomes dull. No cosmetic products help.
- A person becomes weak and spots fly before his eyes even from minimal activity. In the evening, vision decreases sharply.
- The gums begin to bleed, and a white coating appears on the tongue.
- Appetite decreases.
- Blood pressure often fluctuates.
- There is heaviness in the legs and occasional headaches.
How to use the mixture of “dried apricots, raisins, walnuts, honey, lemon”, doses and features
This mixture is very nutritious, so it should be taken in the following doses:
- adults for prevention – 1 tablespoon of the mixture 3 times a day;
- children over 3 years old – 1 tsp. 2 times a day.
Since the mixture is very sweet, it should be washed down with warm tea. It is not recommended to take the mixture dry. From the mixture you can make healthy sweets that can replace many sweets that are harmful to the body. To do this, you need to roll it into balls and dip it in sesame seeds.
Use it correctly
All these products are very useful, and together they represent a real “rejuvenating apple”, a source of strength and vital energy. But we must also remember that this is not a food product, but a biologically active food supplement. That is, it is recommended to use the mixture as a medicine, in small quantities. Let's remember how many walnuts you need to eat per day. Six halves or three whole nuts is the maximum amount. The product is very high in calories, so you can’t overdo it.
Mixtures of dried fruits, honey and nuts are a very tasty treat. But you shouldn’t overuse it either, especially if you’re watching your figure. If a folk remedy is taken for prevention, then one tablespoon per day will be enough. It is best to eat it on an empty stomach, in the morning, with water. After 30 minutes you can start breakfast. During epidemic periods, it is recommended to increase the amount to 3 tablespoons, that is, one before each meal.
Restrictions on the consumption of dried apricots, raisins, nuts, honey
Despite all the beneficial properties, it also has a number of contraindications:
- The products are highly allergenic, so allergy sufferers are not recommended to use the vitamin mixture.
- High levels of glucose and sucrose can cause harm to a diabetic's body.
- The high-calorie product is contraindicated for obese patients, so they need to keep its consumption to a minimum.
- The mixture is strictly contraindicated for children under 3 years of age, since honey with dried apricots is a heavy food that is poorly absorbed by the child’s body.
- Dried apricots, honey, prunes, and raisins are prohibited for people with gastrointestinal disorders and patients with diabetes.
- Lemon should not be consumed by those who have problems with tooth enamel and damage to the mucous membranes in the gastrointestinal tract.
- It is forbidden to eat the mixture for patients with urolithiasis and cholelithiasis, as well as for acute heart failure.
Mix: raisins, prunes, lemon, dried apricots, honey, walnuts - an ideal remedy in the cold season that fights viral and colds. The effectiveness of the product has been proven by many years of research. In addition to its pleasant taste, the mixture can treat many diseases and improve performance. It can be used for treatment and prevention. However, despite all the usefulness, the ingredients have their own contraindications for the use of the mixture and daily dosages.
Contraindications
Despite the exceptional usefulness and naturalness of the vitamin mixture, there are some restrictions on intake.
First of all, this mixture is not suitable for people who are allergic to honey, nuts or citrus fruits. As a rule, there are no reactions to raisins and dried apricots. If the exact cause of the disease is known, then the allergen can be excluded from the composition, replacing it with another ingredient that has suitable properties.
The composition is contraindicated for diabetics. The diet for illness excludes all types of honey and sweet dried fruits.
You should avoid taking the mixture if you have the following diseases: pancreatitis, ulcers, kidney and bladder stones, acute forms of intestinal and stomach diseases.
Everyone, without exception, should not take the mixture in the evening or before bed. The high carbohydrate content requires the body to produce a large amount of energy for absorption. This is an undesirable process at night.