How just a handful of raisins a day can help you live longer
In a new study, scientists found that adding any kind of dried fruit to a morning meal slashed the risk of dying from heart disease by 18 per cent and cancer by 11 per cent.
Tucking into muesli, porridge, or bran cereals first thing had a similarly beneficial effect, lowering the risk of a premature death by ten to 15 per cent.
However, starting the day with a bowl of sugary cereal increased the chances of an early death by 40 per cent, according to research published in the Nutrition Journal.
The study, from the University Of Science And Technology in Anhui, China, analyzed how different breakfasts affect lifespan, looking at the eating habits of 186,000 Britons.
Scientists think the disease-fighting powers of dried fruits come from the fact that the drying process concentrates natural nutrients and fiber into each piece.
Most are also a rich source of powerful antioxidants, which can ward off heart disease and cancer.
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