Everyone knows that dried fruits are just a storehouse of vitamins and minerals. That is why many believe that dried fruit compote is very useful. However, is it really so?
Useless drink?
Indeed, according to doctors, almost all useful substances are preserved in dried fruits. The fact is that due to drying, up to 90% of water evaporates from dried fruits, which is why vitamins and trace elements are contained in them in a concentrated form. Bulgarian herbalists Iordanov, Boychinov and Nikolov think so too. For the same reason, they advise not to abuse these products.
However, dried fruit compote, according to most nutritionists, is practically useless. The fact is that when cooking, a good half of the healthy elements from dried fruits simply disappear, and even less of them pass into the water. Moreover, in the compote itself, of all the substances characteristic of dried fruits, sugar predominates, which cannot be called harmless.
In connection with this fact, doctors recommend not to cook compote for too long. The more heat treatment dried fruits undergo, the less useful substances. In addition, nutritionists advise not to add sugar to the compote, which is already abundant there. It is better to replace the sweet poison with honey. But the main thing - if you already drink compote, then in without fail eat dried fruits from it. Otherwise, there will be no point.
Contraindications for use
In addition to the fact that dried fruit compote is practically useless, this drink can adversely affect the health of certain categories of people. So, according to doctors, dried fruit compote is categorically contraindicated for people prone to obesity. The fact is that the drink contains a large number of sugar, and can also cause appetite.
It is not recommended to abuse compote and those who suffer various diseases gastrointestinal tract, such as stomach ulcers, gastritis or pancreatitis. Dried apples, which are present in most dried fruit sets, can aggravate these ailments. And people prone to diarrhea should not drink this drink either. Compote has a laxative effect.
How to cook the right compote?
Despite the fact that there are few useful substances in the compote itself, nutritionists say that such a drink is much healthier than the one brewed from fresh berries or fruit. This is due to the above-mentioned increased concentration of all kinds of vitamins and microelements in dried fruits. Therefore, in order for compote to have on our body beneficial effect, it must be properly welded.
After you have thoroughly washed the dried fruits, pour them over cold water and leave them for at least 4 hours. Then boil water in a saucepan and throw in the soaked dried fruits. As soon as the water boils again, turn off the burner and cover the pot with a lid. Wrap the pan with a towel or blanket and let the drink brew for 2 hours.
To prepare compote, you will need 200 grams of dried fruits per 1 liter of water. Sugar should not be added to the drink, it is better to use natural honey.
Some people forget about the very delicious drink kindergartens and schools. On sometimes you can meet families in which they cook and drink dried fruit compote with pleasure, the benefits or harms of it for some are a big mystery. Let's talk about what is more in such compote, but besides its benefits, I also want to tell you how to choose the right dried fruits for compote and how to cook it so that there are a lot of vitamins.
Not everyone and not always has the opportunity to prepare dried fruits themselves, so you have to buy them in the store. But the quality of such blanks is sometimes doubtful, there is no need to talk about the benefits. In this case, you just need to choose the right one.
Dried fruit compote, benefits
You can only talk about the benefits if you know the composition of the mixture of dried fruits. After all, the benefits of the drink are provided by dried fruits, in which no more than 20% of water remains after drying.
At home, of course, we try to dry fruits and berries according to all the rules. We choose fruits that are not treated with chemicals, clean and healthy. We carry out the drying itself according to the rules, so that later mold does not appear or moth does not start.
One can speak with confidence about the benefits of such a compote, it can be given even to babies in the first months of life.
Composition of dried fruit compote
Each fruit enriches the drink with its vitamins and fills useful content. A standard set of dried fruits for compote usually contains:
- Vitamins C, PP, the whole group B
- Iron
- Sodium
- Potassium
There are no carbohydrates and proteins in compote, but there are many organic acids that are useful to us. Dried fruit compote cannot be called dietary product, 60 kcal per hundred grams is quite a lot. We usually choose fruits for the compote mixture according to taste or from what is available.
- Plum
- Apples
- Dried apricots
- Prunes
- Strawberry
- Peaches
- Raspberries
- Cherry
We dry these fruits and berries more often than others for compotes, but sometimes Exotic fruits we use, trying to diversify the amount of useful substances.
Benefits of dried fruit compote
Here, too, everything depends on the collection of fruits. most great benefit you can consider the warm aroma of the drink, uplifting on a dull winter evening, memories, the taste of childhood, the smell of summer, the warmth of sunny days.
If your compote kit contains dried apricots with prunes, and I'm just sure that they are there, then after such a compote you will not have problems with digestion, and also, hemoglobin will always be at a good level.
And if you introduce dried plums into the mixture of dried fruits, you can quickly cleanse the blood of bad cholesterol and other substances that are completely unnecessary to you.
Of course, the benefits of dried fruit compote will only be felt if you drink it constantly. By the way, in this way, you can generally refuse complex vitamin supplements from the pharmacy.
If you are constantly in a state of stress, you have nervous breakdowns, or you suddenly feel sadness and despondency, depression is your usual state, then add dried bananas to the mixture. They will cheer you up, make your taste for life rich and bright.
Bananas in compote will help athletes recuperate after heavy loads, if you are not even an athlete, but you have work related to stress or weight lifting, then this version of compote is also for you.
When will be present in the compote mixture dried pear, you will know that your body will be cleansed of toxins and heavy metals, it will also help to deal with problems in the liver and kidneys.
Makes your memory stronger and your brain activity stronger dried figs. Yes, it will also help solve problems with the thyroid gland, and it will raise your mood significantly.
Do you know that with simple compote cooked from dried fruits can strengthen the heart, improve the activity of the circulatory system? It is enough to just introduce raisins into it, which will also help fight puffiness, because it has a mild diuretic effect.
More often use dried grapes, pears and apples for compote, because they help to overcome the blues on cold days, replenish the missing light of the sun, and enhance metabolic processes.
I want to tell you more about one magical berry, if you have the opportunity to collect it in the forest or maybe buy it in the market. I'm talking about wild strawberries. Dry some berries and add to compote, dry directly with ponytails, they also have a lot of useful things. The flavor and richness of vitamin C you won't get anywhere else. You will constantly feel cheerful and your mood will be upbeat.
Dried fruit compote for a child
Such a drink is not as terrible an allergic reaction as brewed from fresh raw materials, so dried fruit compote for babies is the most suitable alternative to juices or plain water.
I gave it to my children from the age of three months. Of course, she didn’t start right away, from a bottle, gradually, she gave a few drops on the tongue, it was hilarious how the baby tries a new taste.
Yes, I gradually introduced components for compote, at first it was apples, raisins and dried apricots, a week later prunes were added, then a pear and so on. You do not need to enter several components at once, if an allergy suddenly happens, you will not specifically know what happened to it.
Dried fruit compote for a nursing mother
Often such a question arises, is it possible to compote from dried fruits when feeding a child? It is not possible, but very necessary, because at this time a woman lacks a lot of microelements, and compote will help to enrich the body in sufficient quantities.
It helps to increase lactation, increase the calcium that is so necessary at this time. Every second mother at this time, hemoglobin usually drops very much. But dried fruit compote will help raise it without taking medications with iron, which, by the way, very often cause constipation. And the compote just adjusts the entire work of the digestive tract gently and quickly.
advice from your personal experience, when cooking compote, add some dates there, they will help to quickly restore strength and add energy, relieve fatigue attacks and headaches.
Dried fruit compote, how to cook correctly
Of course, we all know that during heat treatment, the bulk of the vitamins disappear and instead of a healthy drink, we get just a drink. To prevent this from happening, I will tell you how I cook compote myself, by the way, from my home-grown dried fruits. I think many will no longer ask how much to cook dried fruit compote.
For cooking delicious compote for every liter of water you need to take one hundred grams of dried fruits. And no sugar! Then honey can be added to the cooled drink if desired.
First, dried fruits must be washed very well, if they are very dirty, from the store, then pour for a few minutes hot water and then rinse under a tap.
We put the prepared dried fruits in a saucepan, but not aluminum, aluminum will quickly oxidize due to fruit acids. Pour in water and bring to a boil. just let the water boil with a key and immediately turn off the gas. We close the saucepan, wrap it in something warm and put it in a warm place to infuse for about ten hours.
Dried fruits from compote are very popular with children, so you should not throw them away after making compote.
Dried fruit compote, harm
Honestly, I don’t know a case when such a useful compote harmed someone. It can be drunk to diabetics, babies and their mothers. Rather, it can cause harm due to low-quality fruits or some component can cause allergies.
To avoid any trouble, you need to either prepare a drink from homemade dried fruits or learn how to choose them correctly in the store.
How to choose dried fruits
Try to always buy dried fruits that are not packaged, especially in opaque packages. Let them be loose.
- Take a piece of dried fruit in your hands and then look at what is left on your fingers.
- Smell the fruit mixture, only a slightly sour smell is allowed, no mustiness or mold.
- The color of dried fruit should be only slightly darker than natural.
Dried fruit compote, benefits and harms, video
Dried fruit compote has been familiar to most people since childhood, it is often given in preschool institutions, schools and medical institutions. The drink can be prepared throughout the year, because it requires only water and the dried fruits themselves. Children drink compote with pleasure.
Since dried fruits are rich in natural sugars, you can additionally not sweeten the compote. During heat treatment, it loses ascorbic acid, but this problem can be solved by adding lemon juice to it.
Beneficial features
The drink contains vitamins and minerals, organic acids, fiber, so it not only fights thirst well, but also strengthens the body's defense against infections, and also removes toxins during illness, helping to cope with it faster. Compote is suitable for people who watch their figure, but you need to remember that the addition of sugar increases the calorie content of the drink.
Dietary fiber in the composition helps to speed up metabolism, improve the digestion process and rid the intestines of harmful substances. Doctors are allowed to drink compote for diabetes, because it is low in calories, contains few carbohydrates and does not require added sugar.
The benefits of the drink depend on which dried fruits were used in the preparation:
Compote from dried apples and pears contains a lot of fiber, cleanses the body of toxins, it is better to add a pear without a peel so as not to cause a fixing effect;
dried apricots and dried plum help in the fight against constipation, as well as increase efficiency;
Dried grapes strengthens the walls of blood vessels, improves heart function, relieves swelling;
Dried figs stimulate the thyroid gland, improve mood, positively affect memory and brain function;
Dried strawberries are good during a cold, soothing a sore throat and promoting a quick recovery;
Peach in compote relieves symptoms of diseases such as rheumatism and gout;
Dried cherries added to the drink help fight anemia, increase hemoglobin.
Compotes from any dried fruit improve the process of urination, help with inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs (cystitis).
How to cook
Most often, pears, apples, raisins, prunes and dried apricots are taken to make compote. Shape your dried fruit mix according to your personal taste preferences. It is optimal to take 100 g of dried fruits per liter of compote.
There are 2 ways to brew a drink:
After boiling, immediately remove from heat and insist under the lid for 10 hours, covering the pan with a towel;
Cook for half an hour after the compote has boiled, in this case you can not insist.
The first option is good if you want to preserve the beneficial properties of dried fruits to the maximum. The second is recommended for feeding children. Add sugar to taste, you can even replace it with honey. Before use, dried fruits must be sorted out, rid of debris, if any, and washed properly. After the compote is ready, let it stand for at least 30 minutes, you can strain it, or you can not do it.
Dried fruit compote is very useful to include in your diet and children's menu, it fills the body with vitamins, strengthens the immune system, helps to quickly get rid of toxins in case of poisoning and viruses, and improves the functioning of the urinary system.
It is important to choose quality dried fruits. There should be no mold, sour smell, unnatural color. Buy clean dried fruits, and preferably without packaging, in order to freely assess their quality.
Dried fruit compote is a versatile drink, it can be prepared at any time of the year. It quenches thirst well. The drink is given to kids in kindergartens, prepared in schools and hospitals. It can be drunk during pregnancy and diabetics.
The low cost of dried fruits makes it possible to prepare this drink almost every day. Taste properties of compote will please any picky eater. A rich selection of dried fruits allows you to experiment with the ingredients during the preparation of the drink in order to achieve the desired taste and aroma.
Article content:
What is compote made from?
The following fruits and berries are usually used for cooking:
- strawberry;
- raisin;
- apples;
- pear;
- prunes;
- raisin;
- dried apricots.
The composition of the compote can be changed, it depends on which dried fruits you prefer. Each ingredient has its own beneficial properties. The richer the variety of components used, the richer the taste of the drink and the more valuable its composition (sodium, vitamins C and B, iron, potassium, zinc).
The compote has a high calorie content, due to the high sugar content in the composition of dried fruits. 100 grams of sugar-free drink contains 60 kilocalories.
What is useful?
- - dried fruits contain vitamin C, which has a beneficial effect on immune system organism. Regular consumption of the drink is especially useful in autumn, winter and early spring, when the body is weakened, and consumption fresh fruit abbreviated.
- Normalization of the gastrointestinal tract. This effect is achieved thanks to dried apricots and prunes. They also increase efficiency, help in the fight against excess weight.
- Dried pears and apples lower intracranial pressure, contribute to the normalization of metabolism, help to overcome seasonal depression.
- Dried fruit compote will help you forget about problems with urination forever. Dried fruits have bactericidal action, thereby curing cystitis.
- Raisin strengthens blood vessels, has a positive effect on the heart and circulatory system. It will help get rid of swelling.
- dried figs contributes to a good mood. This type of dried fruit is good for thyroid gland. With regular consumption of figs, your endocrine system will work as it should. Figs improve memory and develop brain activity.
- dried blueberries useful for anemic patients, it restores vision.
- Peach help everyone who is suffering. It alleviates the condition of people with rheumatism. These dried fruits promote the breakdown of fats.
- Bananas indispensable in the fight against depression. They are useful for those who engage in heavy physical exercise, indispensable for overwork, nervous exhaustion and problems with the heart muscle.
- cherry fruits increase the level of hemoglobin in the blood. How else can you increase hemoglobin at home, read the article.
- Dried wild strawberry rich in vitamin C. It is useful during colds, indispensable for sore throats and coughs.
- Dried fruits contribute to the treatment of atherosclerosis, are useful in liver diseases. Help as a preventive measure.
Who can be harmful?
Despite rich content useful properties, the drink may be harmful. Before using it, you should familiarize yourself with a number of contraindications:
- compote is not recommended for those who are sick, gastritis or. Apples can provoke an attack of the disease;
- people with sensitive intestines should be careful about prunes - they can cause diarrhea;
- the drink is high in calories, when taken in large quantities it promotes obesity and increases appetite;
- dried fruits can cause. You should be careful if you use any fruits for the first time (especially for children),
The chemicals and preservatives used to process fruit during production can cause the greatest harm. If it is not possible to prepare dried fruits on your own, then before using purchased fruits, they should be thoroughly washed or soaked in sour milk.
Rules for choosing dried fruits
When buying dried fruits, you should be guided by the following rules:
- give preference to dried fruits of a light shade, they should be close to the natural color of the fruit;
- dried fruits should not have any glued lumps, such a product is not worth buying;
- dried fruits should emit a sour aroma, without impurities of the smell of mold,
- choose clean dried fruits, to check, take a slice of a dried apple or pear, rub it in your hands and see what color it leaves;
- it is advisable to buy dried fruits that are sold without packaging, this will allow you to evaluate their quality.
Best Recipes
Dried fruits strengthen the immune system. Vitamin drink recipe:
- take 100 grams of apples, pears and apricots (home-dried apricots are cooked for a long time, on a par with apples, purchased dried apricots boil quickly and should be thrown into compote 10-15 minutes before the end of cooking). Rinse the dried fruits well, pour 3 liters of water and set to boil;
- after 10 minutes, add a little, prunes and viburnum berries, boil for another ten minutes;
- pour 50 grams of raspberries and blueberries into a boiling drink (you can add grapes). Boil the compote for a few minutes and remove from heat;
- cool the drink and strain through a colander. Dried fruits can be put into molds and served for dessert.
Drink the drink during autumn and winter, it will make you forget about the cold. When using compote, it is worth taking breaks, you can change this recipe to another, and after a few weeks return to the vitamin drink again
To improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract It is recommended to take compote prepared as follows:
- take half a glass of dried apricots (pre-soak it in water for 10 minutes), pour a liter of boiling water;
- add 2 - 3 teaspoons of lemon and sugar to taste (it is better to put honey);
- brew the drink for 15 minutes.
Take compote until you feel better.
Apple and pear compote fights and normalizes metabolism. Prepare it according to the following recipe:
- take dried apples and pears (proportion 3 to 2), soak them with water;
- pour sugar into boiling water (100 grams per liter), first add pears, then apples;
- cook the compote for 35 - 40 minutes.
Drink the resulting drink as desired, but do not consume it in excess.
Dried figs help in the thyroid gland. To make compote you will need:
- 200 grams of dried fruits;
- 50 grams of sugar;
- liter of water.
Pour figs and sugar into boiling water. Reduce the heat as much as possible and bring the compote to a boil. The drink should boil for 15 minutes, then remove it from the heat. Cool until room temperature and strain through a colander. Ready drink can be drunk at any time of the day.
- take 20 grams of prunes, dried apples and pears. Let them infuse cold water 15 - 20 minutes;
- rinse dried fruits with running water, add apples and pears to half a liter of boiling water, boil for half an hour;
- add prunes and simmer the drink for another 10 minutes. Then pour in 2 - 3 teaspoons of xylitol and remove the drink from the stove.
It is useful to drink a drink for breakfast, it energizes and replenishes the body with nutrients.
Dried fruit compote is rich in substances necessary for the full functioning of the body. The drink perfectly quenches thirst, it is healthier than carbonated water and unnatural juices.
Nevertheless, when using compote from dried fruits and berries, it is worth knowing when to stop. Excessive dosage of the drink can lead to a set extra pounds and other unpleasant consequences.
Dried fruit compote has been a favorite drink of many since childhood. He has pleasant taste and flavor, as well as beneficial to the health of most people.
Benefit
Useful properties of compote from dried fruits and berries apply to all organs and systems of the body. This drink has several positive effects on the body:
- stimulates the immune system;
- increases hemoglobin;
- provides the body with certain vitamins and minerals;
- normalizes the work of the gastrointestinal tract.
Raisins and dried apricots in compote have a good effect on heart health and relieve swelling. A large amount of potassium is especially useful for people with heart failure. Prunes treat constipation and purify the blood.
- improve brain function;
- strengthen memory;
- support thyroid health;
- improves mood and relieves apathy.
The iron-rich drink helps to cure anemia and restore health after blood loss. It will be useful for fasting people and vegetarians.
Blueberries and strawberries in the composition of the drink will give it bright aroma. These berries strengthen the immune system and contain vitamin C. They help to avoid colds and treat coughs.
The light bactericidal effect of the drink contributes to the speedy treatment of viral diseases and diseases. genitourinary system. The diaphoretic effect allows you to gently lower the temperature with acute respiratory infections or acute respiratory viral infections.
Dried fruit compote is much healthier and cheaper than supermarket juices. The absence of preservatives and dyes makes it safer than any ready drink from the shop.
The fruity aroma of the drink improves mood. For this, he is loved by most children and adults. It is believed that regular use dried fruit compote helps to avoid seasonal infections and not to catch a cold in the off-season.
Harm
The benefits and harms of a drink depend only on the quality of its ingredients. Compote of good dried fruits does not cause any harm to health if it does not contain an excessive amount of sugar. To make the drink even healthier, you can replace sugar with honey.
In rare cases, unpleasant symptoms appear after dried fruit compote has been drunk. Whether it will be useful or harmful depends on individual features organism. Rumbling in the abdomen and a slight laxative effect are not considered unhealthy, but may cause discomfort.
Contraindications
Dried fruits compote - healthy drink which even people are allowed after most operations. It is important that among the fruits and berries used there are no those that cause individual intolerance. Allergy to dried apricots and prunes is extremely rare, and when added exotic fruits and bright berries should be careful.
For people who monitor the amount of sugar in their diet, it is advisable to cook unsweetened compote. The taste of the drink can be improved a small amount honey.
Can pregnant and lactating women
Dried fruit compote is suitable for both pregnant and lactating women. The drink rarely causes allergies and has a positive effect on all organs and systems of the body. It is believed that it improves lactation and promotes the speedy recovery of the body after childbirth.
Compote without overseas dried fruits is suitable even for baby food at the age of 3 months.
Composition (vitamins and trace elements)
The calorie content of the drink is from 36 to 90 kcal per 100 ml. The value depends on the sweetness of the selected fruits and the amount of sugar.
The exact composition of the drink depends on the set of its ingredients. The content of useful substances in compote, which is cooked according to classic recipe without exotic fruits. The amount of vitamins and minerals in this drink is shown in the table.
How to cook
To prepare 3 liters of compote, you need:
- sort and wash 200 - 300 grams of dried fruits;
- pour fruit with water;
- bring the liquid to a boil and immediately turn off the stove;
- wrap the pan in a thick towel and set the compote for several hours.
Most dried fruits have a sweet taste. Adding a lot of sugar to the drink is not worth it. 3 liters will require less than half a glass of granulated sugar.
For 8 - 10 hours, the drink becomes the most saturated and tasty. It is convenient to cook it in the evening, so that the compote is ready for use by morning.
There are many recipes for making a drink based on dry fruits and berries. Sometimes the ingredients are soaked in cold water and added to the boiled compote in different sequences.
Storage
Compote mixture of dried fruits is stored in a dry place. It must not be exposed to direct sunlight.
Ready compote can be stored in the refrigerator for several days. The most useful is a fresh drink, so it is advisable to drink it in 1 - 2 days.
How to choose
It is better to make compote yourself than to buy it ready-made. This is the only way to be sure of the quality of dried fruits and find out the amount of sugar in the drink. Ready-made compote of normal quality costs about 100 rubles per 1 liter.
