Health

Health Benefits of Dried Fruit

Published

3 years ago

November 7, 2021

Fruit has long been seen as nature’s own candy. It’s tasty, delicious and good for us in so many ways. One issue with fresh fruit, however, is its shelf life. This is where dried fruit comes into play. A collection of organic dried fruit on the shelf can serve a source of daily snacks for much longer than fresh, while still packing great flavour and nutrients.

Dried fruit actually comes with a raft of its own health benefits. Whoever said that making food more convenient and lasting had to take away from the nutritional value?

1. More Nutrients Packed In

In terms of weight, dried fruit boasts as much as 3.5 times the vitamins, minerals and fiber that you get in fresh fruit. The nutrients get a lot more condensed when the fruit is dried. You do sometimes lose out on some select nutrients like vitamin C, the content of which is reduced during the drying process. However, other nutrients such as fiber, and antioxidants like polyphenols are in particular abundance, all of which bring positive benefits to you.

Polyphenol antioxidants can improve your blood flow and your digestion, and in doing so can help to lower the risk you might have of getting certain diseases. The additional fiber that you get can help to fight heart disease and obesity, as well as some types of cancer.

2. Sweet and Tasty with No Added Sugar

Dried fruit is a great way to indulge one’s sweet tooth without overdoing it in the sugar department. Some care is required on the part of the consumer to make sure that what they are purchasing is indeed free from added sugar. Dried fruit retains its own natural sugars for a sweet taste, but some manufacturers do add extra sugar, which negates some of the health benefits. When you get the pure fruit with no added extras, however, the sweet taste is often amplified in dried fruit, making it a more satisfying way to enjoy healthy food.

3. Can Boost the Immune System

There are some claims that certain dried fruits such as dried goji berries can boost one’s immune system thanks to their elevated content of iron, vitamin A, as well as vitamin C. They’re also lower in calories than other fruits, as well as in carbohydrate content. Those select dried fruits that don’t lose as much vitamin C during the drying process make them an easy source of vitamin C, with huge amounts loaded into one fruit packet.

4. Can Promote Weight Loss Through Boosted Metabolism

Some dried fruits out there can work wonders in boosting your metabolism, which in turn can deliver more energy and help the process of weight loss. It’s not to say that simply eating dried fruit makes you lose weight, but it can be a great ally in your dietary arsenal.

Snacking on dried fruits like apricots, dates, and raisins can reduce your cravings for unhealthy snack foods. Taking on vitamins, minerals and antioxidants from dried fruits while satisfying your hunger is much better than taking on the salt, sugar and fat of other snack foods.

5. Great for Skin Health

Another area of your body that loves your intake of dried fruits like mangos, raisins and others is your skin. Many dried fruits contain elevated levels of omega 3 and other fatty nutrients that provide a boost to your skin health. Raisins, for instance, even have resveratrol, which acts as an aging inhibitor on your skin.

Despite some claiming that dried fruit isn’t as healthy as you might think, the consensus among medical experts seems to be that while consumers have to be mindful about added sugar and preservatives, dried fruit on balance is a healthy food and a great source of many beneficial nutrients.

Health

The Secret Behind Life Alert’s Superior Service

Published

1 week ago

September 11, 2024

Michelle Langton

Photo courtesy of Life Alert via Shutterstock

When Amy Skidmore’s mother was discharged from rehab after a stroke, the prospect of giving up her independence was terrifying. Having lived alone and freely since her husband’s passing in 2000, the transition from rehab to home was filled with uncertainty and anxiety for both Amy and her mother.

Life Alert Emergency Response changed everything for them. Amy’s mother regained her confidence in living independently with a simple press of a button. The ease of having help at her fingertips relieved her and Amy of fear. Amy now has peace of mind that her mother is safe, and her mother is happy to maintain her independent lifestyle. This mirrors experiences of countless families who have depended on Life Alert’s service for nearly 40 years.

Various Devices to Suit Every Need

The company offers a comprehensive range of medical alert devices designed to provide protection at home and on the go. For in-home security, members can choose a state-of-the art Micro Voice Pendant and a waterproof wall-mounted Help Button, both of which offer two-way communication capabilities.

The pendant is designed to be worn at all times, even in the shower, while the wall button can be placed in high-risk areas like bathrooms.

For those with active lifestyles, Life Alert also provides a help button with a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit, which pinpoints the subscriber’s location so responders can find them quickly. Like all the devices from Life Alert, it does not require charging.

Exclusive Dispatch Center

Life Alert distinguishes itself with its in-house Monitoring Centers, all located in the United States. According to a representative from the company, this allows Life Alert to maintain high standards and have consistent, rapid response times. The Monitoring Centers provide round-the-clock protection and immediate emergency assistance.

Case in point, we found that Life Alert is the only medical alert company proven to save a life every 11 minutes.

The in-house setup also means that Life Alert can maintain control over the quality of its service, unlike competitors who outsource their monitoring to third-party call centers. This direct oversight also ensures that every call is handled with the utmost care and professionalism.

Extensive Dispatcher Training

Complementing its dispatch center is the training of its staff before they start handling emergency calls. This training includes learning about the Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) industry. The dispatchers must also complete a Care and Concern course to better understand the emotional needs of members and their families.

Maintaining a high staff-to-member ratio is another crucial aspect of the company’s superior service. There are multiple dispatchers available to handle calls promptly and provide personalized attention to each subscriber. This allows dispatchers to effectively perform their duties attentively without ever leaving the subscriber, and to provide fast help when every second counts.

Tailoring Responses to Individual Needs

Life Alert customizes its emergency response protocols to meet each member’s needs. As a HIPAA compliant company, when subscribers sign up for the service, they provide detailed information about their medical history, emergency contacts, and special instructions.

Dispatchers can then access this information during an emergency to send appropriate help immediately. This allows subscribers and their family to have a sense of security and peace of mind knowing loved ones are being taken care of by the one and only Life Alert.

Long-Term Customer Relationships

Reflecting its dedication to consistent, high-quality, lifesaving services, Life Alert has a loyal fanbase with its subscribers, who have been with them for years and even decades. They even have a list of thousands of subscribers who joined the Life Alert family after having another service that failed them. The company takes pride in the trust it has built with its members.

Life Alert is always ready and reliable, turning years of service into a legacy of care. The secret behind Life Alert’s superior service? It’s their uncanny ability to make “Help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!®“ sound less like a punchline and more like a lifeline to getting help fast, 24/7.