Are candied fruits useful, properties and composition

The first fruit in sugar was prepared by confectioners from citrus peel. Later, apples, pears, and berries were used in recipes. The finished product was completely natural. Nowadays, dyes and preservatives are increasingly being added to factory fruit treats. Bright cubes are a popular children's dessert, so the benefits and harms of candied fruits are an issue that requires study.

What are candied fruits

Sugar-soaked treats are prepared from any fruits, vegetables and even nuts. They are cut into small pieces and blanched in sugar syrup for several minutes. This manipulation is repeated several times. Then they are dried in the oven or naturally. Sprinkle the finished slices with icing sugar so that they do not stick together.

This method of preparing fresh fruits turns them into a confection that contains nothing other than sugar. Their useful properties are still preserved - candied fruits are not as harmful to the body as other desserts.

Types of candied fruits

Modern industrial technology is different from home technology. Thanks to this, new types of fruits in sugar have appeared.

1. Folding. After languishing in a solution of sugar and water, the fruits are filtered and sent to the oven. After drying, a hard crust appears on their surface.
2. Channeled. Prepared fruits are immersed in concentrated sugar syrup cooled to 90 ° C for 6 hours. After they are dried at a temperature of + 35–40 ° C until a crust and glaze are formed.
3. Replicated. The fruits are immersed in sugar syrup for a few minutes and mixed. After that, drops of sweet liquid stand out on their surface. So that it does not glass and evenly envelops each slice, the fruits soaked in sugar syrup are sent to special dryers and simmered at a temperature of +50 ° C. Then the finished product is blown with cold air.

Candied and replicated are glazed types of candied fruits and differ only in production technology. Candied fruits produce a light and transparent glaze. They are considered healthier because they are not boiled or dried at high temperatures. They do not lose their properties.

Chemical composition and calorie content of candied fruits

In addition to the fruit itself and sugar glaze, the finished product should not contain additional food additives. The bright color and chemical odor indicate the use of dyes and fragrances in the production. Such candied fruits can cause irreparable harm to health.

Chemical composition of glazed fruits:

• vitamins: A, B, C;
• organic acids;
• minerals: potassium, magnesium, iron.

All these substances are contained in very small quantities. The properties of vitamins and trace elements are such that most of them are destroyed during heat treatment.

Nutritional value of candied fruits:

• proteins - 0.41%;
• fats - 0.08%;
• carbohydrates - 99.51%;
• calorie content - 322 kcal per 100 g.

It is clearly seen that this is a carbohydrate, high-calorie dessert. The glycemic index of candied fruits is 75 units. Carbohydrates from them are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, increasing sugar levels and contributing to obesity.

A value of 75 indicates that candied fruits and berries are also a confection. Their use must be limited due to health risks.

Why candied fruits are useful

Candied fruits contain fiber. It is contained in fresh fruits and berries; it is not destroyed during processing. Its beneficial properties: improve bowel function, cleanse the body of accumulated toxins.

Naturally glazed and dried fruits preserve useful vitamins and minerals. Heat treatment kills vitamin C, while others - A and B are not afraid of boiling.

People engaged in heavy physical and mental work in large quantities are useful carbohydrates. Candied fruits are the perfect product for them. Patients during the recovery period are also shown increased nutrition.

It is necessary to use glazed fruits for various types of diseases only after consulting your doctor. Only he can determine their benefit or harm to his patient.

Candied fruits are lower in calories than candies. Nutritionists even recommend a small amount of them as a healthy snack for people who adhere to proper nutrition.

For those with a sweet tooth who are unable to give up eating confectionery products, they can be replaced with glazed fruits. The calorie content is low compared to sweets, but there is more benefit. Modern technologies for the preparation of glazed fruits allow you to preserve most of the beneficial properties of candied fruits.

Vegetable sweets: pumpkin, beets, carrots contain less carbohydrates, but more fiber. They are healthier than their fruit variety.

Is it possible to eat candied fruits while losing weight

Due to the high concentration of sugar, this product can hardly be called dietary. The lowest calorie glazed fruit contains 216 kcal. For comparison, in chocolate - 500 kcal. Replacing candies with candied fruits while losing weight will be correct and effective. The harm and benefit of candied fruits for the body is incomparable with the same indicators of confectionery.

Useful properties of candied fruits for weight loss

For weight loss, the following beneficial properties are significant:

1. A person on a diet gets a bowel problem. The coarse fiber found in fruits will cleanse the body gently and quickly.
2. Diet restrictions during weight loss can be harmful, lead to the loss of vitamins and minerals. Some of them: A, B, PP, as well as potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc - are preserved in fruits and usefully replace any useless confectionery. Microelements help accelerate metabolism, which is important for weight loss.
3. A person who restricts their diet is more susceptible to respiratory diseases than those around them. Candied citruses and ginger help to strengthen the immune system, have natural antiseptic properties.
4. The ginger and pineapple slices in the syrup help break down the fatty tissue. This is the benefit of candied fruits for women, who, according to statistics, are more likely than men to be addicted to sweets.

With a total calorie content of the diet of 1200-1400 kcal, no more than 50 g of candied fruits are eaten per day. They will only benefit: the absence of vitamin deficiency, loss of energy, stress associated with restricting carbohydrates. The harm from food abstinence is minimal.

At what age can candied fruits be given to a child

For children under 3 years of age, sweets can be harmful. Parents often forget about this threat and sweeten children's meals at an earlier age. The norm of consumed sugar for young children is 40 g per day.

Based on this, the child can eat no more than 2 tbsp. l. sweet fruits a day. But this is only after 3 years, it is better not to offer candied fruits to young children. A pediatrician consultation is necessary regarding the introduction of a new food product into the child's diet.

How to consume candied fruits without harm to health

The amount of carbohydrates in a person's daily diet should not exceed 50%. Depending on the lifestyle, work activity, desire to lose weight, this figure may be more or less.

Candied fruits, like any carbohydrate food, are best consumed in the morning. This way, calories are used up and not fat on the sides. There are no restrictions for people engaged in hard physical labor. Candied fruits will only benefit in the form of additional energy.

The fruit treat will be a complete mid-day snack. You can replace sweets with it and wash it down with unsweetened tea. Nutritionists do not recommend using this product after 14-00. If an evening workout is just around the corner, a handful of candied fruits (20-30 g) will not hurt. One of the beneficial properties: decreased appetite. The daily norm of candied fruit should not exceed 50 g for losing weight and 100 g for everyone else.

Candied fruits in cooking

Confectioners use brightly colored fruit pieces to decorate their products. At home, they are added to cereals, yoghurts, ice cream. Candied fruits will add spicy flavor and aroma to baked goods. In the preparation of cakes, candied fruits are used for decoration, they are seasoned with dough when kneading. Italian crispy cantucci biscuits are made only with a wide variety of fruit and nut sweets.

How to cook candied fruits at home

It is impossible to store your own candied delicacy for a long time. It should be cooked in small quantities. The easiest way to make candied fruits is from citrus peels, but you can also use slices. They are cut into pieces of medium size so that they do not fall apart. Then put in ice water for a few minutes.

Preparation of syrup: take 1 part of water and refined sugar, mix until it is completely dissolved. Chilled fruits are dipped into this liquid and the pan is put on a small fire. Boil them for an hour without boiling. After the slices are thrown into a colander, the syrup is allowed to drain.

At this time, the oven is heated to 50 ° C, the baking sheet is covered with parchment paper. Pieces of boiled fruit are spread on it in one layer. Leave to dry in the oven with the door open for 5 hours.

After this time, the cooled product is ready for use. The benefits of homemade candied fruits are natural. It is important to store them correctly: in a dry, dark place at a low temperature so that the fruit does not lose its properties.

How to distinguish natural candied fruit from fake

Housewives who prepare this delicacy at home know that fruits lose their color when cooked. A purchased dessert should also not be bright.

If you have any doubts when buying, you can sample 10–20 grams of candied fruit. At home, dip them into hot water and stir. If they have not dissolved, they have fruit. The liquid in the glass should not turn bright. Red or green water indicates the use of chemical dyes.

It is important to read the packaging: composition, shelf life, calorie content. All these properties are indicated on the packaging label. Fruit pieces should be firm, dry and not sticky to each other.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of candied fruits lie in their composition and preparation method. Everyone can eat such fruits, but in small quantities. High-quality, purchased or home-made, they will replace harmful candies. The main thing is not to make a mistake with the choice and purchase a healthy, natural dessert.