Dried fruit and fruit juice do not help your body with glycemic control. In fact, high levels of fructose - such as those found in dried fruit and fruit juice - interfere with the normal insulin response. I understand insulin response quite well for a lay person; if you would like to do some reading on the subject, may I suggest
PubMed?
I'll get you started:
Consuming fructose-sweetened, not glucose-sweetene... [J Clin Invest. 2009] - PubMed result
Consuming fructose-sweetened, not glucose-sweetened, beverages increases visceral adiposity and lipids and decreases insulin sensitivity in overweight/obese humans.
Fructose consumption: considerations for future re... [J Nutr. 2009] - PubMed result
Fructose consumption: considerations for future research on its effects on adipose distribution, lipid metabolism, and insulin sensitivity in humans.
"Increases of intra-abdominal fat observed in subjects consuming fructose, but not glucose, for 10 wk indicate that the 2 sugars have differential effects on regional adipose deposition. However, the increase of fasting glucose, insulin, and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance at 2 wk and the lack of increase of 24-h systemic FFA concentrations suggest that fructose decreases insulin sensitivity independently of visceral adiposity and FFA. The lower postprandial glucose and insulin excursions in subjects consuming fructose and increased excursions in those consuming glucose do not support a relationship between dietary glycemic index and the development of dyslipidemia, decreased insulin sensitivity, or increased visceral adiposity."
Translating: fructose is a low-GI carb, and still, it promotes insulin resistance (end-stage insulin resistance is type II diabetes), gives you belly-fat, and raises your bad cholesterol.
A few pieces of fresh fruit are good for you. Dried fruit and fruit juice are very concentrated, and thus very easy to overconsume.
My .02
