Consumption of gin-soaked raisins is considered as a part of natural therapy for arthritis treatment, and has shown effective results amongst patients. This NutriNeat article provides information on the medicinal properties of gin and raisins, and explains why they are commonly used to alleviate arthritis pain.
Did You Know?
Although raisins help improve the health of human beings in several ways, they are not to be fed to dogs. Raisins can cause renal failure in dogs. More studies are required to know the cause behind this.
Patients diagnosed with chronic conditions often turn to home remedies because of the high cost and serious side effects of prescription medications. They start looking for an inexpensive but effective alternative that has minimal or no side effects. Gin-soaked raisins is one such popular home remedy, and it is believed that it works great for arthritis.
Arthritis involves the degeneration of joints with aging, that leads to debilitating pain and restricted movement. Certain types of arthritis, for example rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile arthritis, are not related to aging. In any case, arthritis leads to inflammation of several joints and other body parts. Often, the pain is so severe that the person is unable to perform simple daily tasks.
Although there is no scientific evidence, it is believed that gin-soaked raisins can alleviate arthritis pain. No studies have been conducted to confirm the health benefits and test the side effects of gin-soaked raisins for rheumatoid arthritis or for any other type of arthritis. But there are people (including celebrities like Paul Harvey, and Theresa Kerry, the wife of presidential candidate John Kerry) who have explained the health benefits of this folk remedy. For more than two decades, arthritics are using gin-soaked raisins as an alternative therapy for pain relief. Looking at the number of arthritics who have been successful in managing their condition with the help of gin and raisins, and that too without any side effects, there is no harm in trying this home remedy.
Recipe
➺ Take some golden raisins in a bowl.
➺ Pour some gin made specifically from Juniper berries, until all the raisins are covered with it.
➺ Cover the bowl and keep it aside for a week. Do not keep the bowl in the refrigerator. Let the raisins soak the gin at room temperature.
➺ After a week, store the raisins in a glass jar with a tight lid, and refrigerate. You can eat 8 – 10 raisins from the jar every night.
➺ You can start with a few raisins and then increase the number to 10 gradually, to avoid any side effects, if any. Usually, they do not cause any side effects.
Health Benefits
✦ 1. Golden raisins are made from Sultana (also known as Thompson seedless) grapes that are packed with useful compounds like resveratrol, catechins, potassium, manganese, and vitamin C. Resveratrol, vitamin C, and catechins exhibit antioxidant properties, and help protect cell membranes from free radical damage. Thus, grapes and raisins are associated with a lower incidence of degenerative diseases.
✦ 2. Flavonoids and polyphenols present in raisins demonstrate anti-inflammatory activity, and help reduce inflammation of the joints. Thus, they can help lessen joint pain.
✦ 3. Resveratrol plays an important role in healthy aging and longevity.
✦ 4. Sulfur dioxide, added during the manufacturing process, keeps the raisins golden. It also carries anti-inflammatory properties, and helps alleviate joint pain due to arthritis.
✦ 5. You are supposed to use gin made from juniper berries, the berries that are packed with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds like catechin, alpha-pinene, alpha-terpineol, beta-pinene, betulin, caryophyllene, delta-3-carene, epicatechin, limonene, menthol, and rutin. These healthy elements can help lower pain in the joints.
✦ 6. According to the study results declared by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, ‘the effect of the combination of grape seeds and skins almost paralleled to that of indomethacin, a common drug against degenerative diseases of joint’. This explains the use of gin-soaked raisins for arthritis.
✦ 7. Apart from relieving arthritis pain, raisins can relieve the symptoms of constipation, high blood pressure, anemia, fever, sexual dysfunction, and acidosis.
✦ 8. Polyphenolic phytonutrients in raisins protect the eyes from the damage caused by free radicals (oxidants). This helps prevent cataracts and macular degeneration, weakening of vision due to aging.
✦ 9. Raisins contain large amounts of vitamin-A, A-Beta Carotene, and A-Carotenoid, which can improve vision.
✦ 10. Catechins, the polyphenolic antioxidants present in raisins, help reduce the risk of cancer, or can slow down its progress in case an individual already has it.
✦ 11. Oleanolic acid, an important phytochemical present in raisins, protects the teeth against tooth decay, cavities, and teeth brittleness. It curbs the growth of Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis, the bacteria that are responsible for cavities and tooth decay.
✦ 12. Raisins contain calcium, which helps strengthen the teeth and bones.
✦ 13. The micronutrient ‘boron’ from raisins plays an important role in bone formation and absorption of calcium. It helps prevent osteoporosis (low bone density), especially in post-menopausal women.
✦ 14. Potassium from raisins also promotes bone growth, and helps lower the risk of osteoporosis.
✦ 15. Fiber in raisins acts like a detoxifying agent, and helps get rid of toxins from the body.
✦ 16. The fiber also promotes burning of cholesterol, and helps maintain heart health.
✦ 17. Raisins are rich in calories, and can help gain weight. 1.5 oz (43 g) seedless raisins contain 129 calories, while 1 fl.oz. (27.8 g) of distilled gin (90 proof) contains 73 calories.
✦ 18. Antioxidant-rich raisins and gin can slow down the process of aging, and can help maintain smooth, wrinkle-free skin.
✦ 19. Gin contains diuretic ingredients, which help enhance the function of the kidneys. This helps get rid of bacteria and toxins.
✦ 20. Regular consumption of moderate amounts of gin helps maintain digestive health.
✦ 21. Consumption of gin can lower the risk of liver and kidney problems.
✦ 22. The antioxidants in gin can help fight cancer.
✦ 23. Gin-soaked raisins can help reduce pain due to gout, one of the most painful forms of arthritis.
Precautions
➺ Like prescription medicines, natural supplements also can interact with other medicines. So, consult your doctor and inform him/her about the drugs and supplements you are taking, before taking gin-soaked raisins.
➺ Grapes have low GI value, and may not lead to severe blood sugar level fluctuations. The process of dehydration of grapes reduces the fruit’s water content and increases the concentration of sugar and calories. The amount of sugar and calories present in one ounce of raisins can be four times more than that found in one ounce of grapes. Raisins can contain up to 72% sugar by weight, and can lead to abnormally high blood sugar levels. So, those diagnosed with pre-diabetes or diabetes should consult their doctor before opting for this home remedy.
➺ Triglycerides are produced as a byproduct when the body metabolizes fructose. As raisins are high in fructose, excessive consumption of raisins can increase the chances of developing diabetes, coronary heart disease, and fatty liver cancer.
➺ Those who are allergic to sulfur dioxide should not consume golden raisins.
Conventional treatment of arthritis involves the use of anti-inflammatory medication, rest, exercise, joint protection, and surgery in case of joint deformation. Though the health benefits of gin-soaked raisins are many, they should be considered as a complementary treatment for disease management.
Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only, and should not be replaced for the advice of a physician.
