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Raisins Help Protect Your Teeth and Gums

Posted: Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Clinical studies have found that, contrary to the prevailing beliefs that raisins contribute to tooth decay, raisins may actually help protect the teeth and gums. Five compounds (phytochemicals) were found that might contribute to the healthfulness of teeth and gums -- oleanolic acid, oleanolic aldehyde, betulin, nic acid and 5-(hydroxymethyl) -2furfural.

Christine Wu, of the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry, said in a press release, that the "Phytochemicals in raisins may benefit oral health by fighting bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease." Laboratory tests showed that phytochemicals slowed or stopped the growth of two different types of bacteria commonly found in the mouth -- Streptococcus mutans, which causes cavities, and Porphyromonas gingivalis, which causes gum disease -- and prevented cavity-causing bacteria from sticking to surfaces.

Source: Diabetes In Control: Presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology