The drying of grapes into raisins has been practiced since ancient times. Raisins were produced in Persia and Egypt as early as 2,000 BC, with one of their first mentions being in the Old Testament. Murals from prehistoric times show that raisins were consumed and used as decorations in the Mediterranean region of Europe during that era. Raisins were also highly prized by the ancient Romans, who adorned their places of worships with them and used them as barter currency and as prizes for the winners of sporting events. In addition, raisins were oftentimes an integral item on the menus at Bacchanalian feasts. From ancient Rome, the practice of drying grapes into raisins subsequently spread throughout the world. In addition to China, California, Australia, Turkey, Greece, Iran and Chile are among the leading commercial producers of raisins.
---Medicinal Action and Uses---These delicious dried grapes are one of the top sources of the trace mineral, boron, a mineral that is critical to our health, and has been of special interest in women in relationship to bone health and osteoporosis (bone softening).
Raisins take their place in the list right alongside prunes and apricots as an antioxidant-rich fruit.
While, surprisingly, intakes of vegetables, antioxidant vitamins and carotenoids were not strongly related to incidence of either form of ARMD, a more severe form of the illness associated with vision loss, fruit intake was definitely protective against the severe form of this vision-destroying disease. Three servings of fruit may sound like a lot to eat each day, but raisins can help you reach this goal.