Raisins are a natural sweet treat, but may not be enjoyed if you have an allergic reaction after consuming the dried fruit. Raisins are made from dried grapes and are not considered a common food allergen, although any food can trigger an allergic reaction.

Raisins provide you with several essential nutrients, and eating them daily may provide you with some health benefits. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 suggest consuming 2 cups of fruit daily when eating 2,000 calories a day.

It takes little more than water, time and sunshine to transform plump, juicy grapes into sweet, chewy raisins. That doesn’t mean you would have found people downing them by the handful in ancient Rome, where the dried fruit was a precious commodity used to pay taxes, reward top athletes and “cure” old age.

Raisins are a nutritious snack and a tasty topper for salads and oatmeal, but only if you balance your diet with a variety of other healthy foods. By including raisins as part of a diet that includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains and lean protein, you'll stay full, satisfied and healthy.

The United States Department of Agriculture recommends adults get 1 ½ to 2 cups of fruit per day and raisins are an inexpensive, easy and portable food that can help you meet that requirement. Raisins are dried grapes and both provide you with the same nutrients, but the nutrients in raisins are more concentrated.