Raisins

🍇 What Are Raisins?
Raisins are dried grapes with a sweet, chewy texture. The drying process concentrates their natural sugars and nutrients, making them popular in baking, snacks, cereals, and savory dishes.

🤔 Why Might a Sensitivity to Raisins Occur?

Sensitivity to raisins may be related to:

• Concentrated fructose: Drying grapes concentrates their natural sugars, which can be challenging for those sensitive to fructose.

• Sulfites: Often used as preservatives in dried fruits, these may provoke reactions in susceptible individuals.

• Tannins: Natural compounds in grape skins that may irritate digestion in some people.

🛠️ Supportive Lifestyle Choices

• Avoid raisins and raisin-containing foods for 8 weeks.

• Reintroduce slowly afterward to observe changes in tolerance.

• Track symptoms during elimination and reintroduction.

💊 Supportive General Supplements

• Digestive enzymes: May help break down fructose and sulfite-related compounds.

• Probiotics: Support gut balance and overall digestive wellness.

• Quercetin: May offer general support for managing reactions associated with plant compounds like sulfites.

🌟 Why Might I React to Raisins but Not Other Dried Fruits or Fresh Grapes?

Possible explanations include:

• Higher sugar concentration: Raisins are significantly sweeter than fresh grapes due to moisture loss.

• Sulfite exposure: More common in dried fruits like raisins than in fresh grapes or certain dried alternatives.

• Tannin retention: Raisins retain tannins from grape skins, which may be less prominent in dried fruits like apricots or mango.

🍽️ Popular Uses for Raisins

• Trail mixes

• Oatmeal

• Raisin cookies

• Breads and muffins

🍽️ Alternatives (if tolerated)

• Fresh grapes

• Dried apricots

• Dried cranberries

• Prunes