Apricot Health Benefits
Apricots are very rich in nutritional content. Fresh apricots with an average size gives you : 3.7% of vitamin A, 4.6% of vitamin C, 3.3% copper, 2.7% fiber, 2.5% of potassium and only 17 calories! It is closely associated with peach and plum.
Apricot Health Benefits
1. Consuming apricots is highly beneficial for your ophthalmic health
Consuming two or three servings of apricots in a day has shown to be beneficial in the cure of age-related Macular Degeneration. Macular degeneration is a disorder of the eye and is one of the major causes of loss of sight in older people. It also helps in strengthening the optic nerves in your eyes.
The carotenoids and the various vitamins present in apricots are the ingredients that reduce the risk of developing Neovascular ARMD.
Just toss a few slices in your morning breakfast cereal or add it to your milkshake.
2. Rich of antioxidants
Antioxidants are required by the body to aid the body’s natural functioning. The higher the amount of antioxidants in the body, the higher the rate of elimination of toxins in the body. Toxins are harmful substances that accumulate in the intestines and the digestive tract. Apricots have the capacity to increase the production of antioxidants. They are also rich in carotenoids and other strong antioxidant phytonutrients. Apricots are also rich in vitamin A content due to the presence of high levels of beta-carotene content.
3. High Fibre Content
Dried apricots are one of the best sources of dietary fibre. It melts into a gel-like substance and helps in breaking down fatty acids. The high amount of dietary fibre also helps in keeping you safe from gastro-intestinal disorders. Not only does it help in breaking down food particles, but it also helps in absorbing nutrients from the food.
4. Healthy for your heart
The high amount of soluble fibres is also beneficial to the heart health. How does this happen? The high fibre content is useful in reducing the LDL or bad cholesterol content in the body, thus lowering your risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. At the same time, it also helps you increase the levels of HDL or good cholesterol. Consuming just half a cup of apricots every day is useful and beneficial to the health of your heart.
5. Potassium
Fruits like apricots and those belonging to the same family are high in potassium contain. High levels of potassium are extremely beneficial to your body. When potassium combines with sodium or salt, it regulates the water levels within and between cells. Deficiency of potassium is known to be deterrent to the body as it increases the possibility of developing hypertension.
6. Non-heme Iron
All those plant items that contain iron contain the type that is called Non-heme iron. Most of the dry fruits contain this type of iron. This speciality of this type of iron is that it is not easily absorbed by the body. The iron content in apricots is helpful in preventing you from developing anaemia. Anaemia is a disorder of the blood wherein it contains a lower level of Red Blood Corpuscles and hence, a lower level of haemoglobin content in the body. According to the World Health Organization, it is one of the most severe form of nutritional disorders in the whole world. Loss of blood also indicates loss of iron content and nutrients.
7. Cancer
The rich levels of antioxidants in apricots is helpful in lowering your risk of developing cancer. Antioxidants in the body are proven to keep the body free from free radicals. Free radicals in the body are harmful. Free radicals inhabit the natural course of cell growth.
8. Skin benefits
The high level of antioxidants that are present in apricots are beneficial not only in avoiding cancer and aiding the process of cell growth, but it is also highly valuable for maintaining skin health. The antioxidants in apricots reduce the risk of ageing and help to make the skin appear taut and shining. The good level of Vitamin A content also ensures that the skin is free from acne and other such problems.
9. Helps you lose weight
The high amount of dietary fibre that the apricot fruit is gifted with is useful for those people who are looking forward to lose a few kilos. The high fibre content improves the digestive and excretory systems in the body and helps improve the rate of metabolism. Not only this, the fruit contains extremely low amount of calories. So one can easily consume a good quantity of apricots without the fear of putting on weight.
10. Treats asthma
The antioxidants lower the amount of impurities that the system can take in. The harmful free radicals are suppressed and thus any form of pollution from the environment is taken care of by consuming apricots. Asthma is a disorder of the lungs which is marked by weak lungs and the inability to breathe well. Keep away the pollutants, eat apricots and stay free from asthma!
11. Strengthens your bones
Apricots are rich in calcium content. Calcium is required by the body in bone formation and bone development. Lack of calcium leads to a disorder of the bones called Osteoporosis. The high calcium content is thus beneficial in the keeping of bone health and saves you from brittle bones.
12. Electrolyte content
Proper functioning of the cells requires a good maintenance of the electrolyte levels in the body. Electrolyte is required for transporting ions from every cell to every other cell in the body. It also maintains a stable fluid level which is necessary for proper expansion and contraction of the muscles. Apricots contain a great level of potassium and sodium. These are required by the body and help in the carrying out of all the above-mentioned functions.
History of Apricots
The weather conditions of the United States are well-suited for the growth of Apricots.
Sometimes, these fruits are also used in the form of brandy and liqueur. A rare form of oil is also distilled from the pit of the peach fruits. They are also sold as bitter almond oil. Some of the leading producers of apricots in the world are Italy, Turkey, Russia, Spain, Greece, France and the United States.
How to choose good apricots?
Apricots are available mostly in summer. When you are at the supermarket, buying apricots, make sure that you look for fruits that have a rich, orange colouring. Do not buy ones that are too hard or too soft. Tips before buying:
Orange or yellow is the natural shade of the apricot fruit. If you come across fruits in the market that have an additional reddish tinge, be careful before buying. The reddening of the apricot fruit is due to the presence of sulphur di-oxide which is a preserving agent. The best way to consume apricots is in its dry form as it is most natural and safe this way. Those suffering from asthma or have known to have sulphur-sensitivity should be extra cautious when consuming apricots. Sulphites are often added to preserve the fruit by preventing oxidation. Oxidation is the process by which the contents in the fruit react with the oxygen in the environment.
sources:wiki-fitness.com
Apricots are very rich in nutritional content. Fresh apricots with an average size gives you : 3.7% of vitamin A, 4.6% of vitamin C, 3.3% copper, 2.7% fiber, 2.5% of potassium and only 17 calories! It is closely associated with peach and plum.
Apricot Health Benefits
Consuming two or three servings of apricots in a day has shown to be beneficial in the cure of age-related Macular Degeneration. Macular degeneration is a disorder of the eye and is one of the major causes of loss of sight in older people. It also helps in strengthening the optic nerves in your eyes.
The carotenoids and the various vitamins present in apricots are the ingredients that reduce the risk of developing Neovascular ARMD.
Just toss a few slices in your morning breakfast cereal or add it to your milkshake.
2. Rich of antioxidants
Antioxidants are required by the body to aid the body’s natural functioning. The higher the amount of antioxidants in the body, the higher the rate of elimination of toxins in the body. Toxins are harmful substances that accumulate in the intestines and the digestive tract. Apricots have the capacity to increase the production of antioxidants. They are also rich in carotenoids and other strong antioxidant phytonutrients. Apricots are also rich in vitamin A content due to the presence of high levels of beta-carotene content.
3. High Fibre Content
Dried apricots are one of the best sources of dietary fibre. It melts into a gel-like substance and helps in breaking down fatty acids. The high amount of dietary fibre also helps in keeping you safe from gastro-intestinal disorders. Not only does it help in breaking down food particles, but it also helps in absorbing nutrients from the food.
4. Healthy for your heart
The high amount of soluble fibres is also beneficial to the heart health. How does this happen? The high fibre content is useful in reducing the LDL or bad cholesterol content in the body, thus lowering your risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. At the same time, it also helps you increase the levels of HDL or good cholesterol. Consuming just half a cup of apricots every day is useful and beneficial to the health of your heart.
5. Potassium
Fruits like apricots and those belonging to the same family are high in potassium contain. High levels of potassium are extremely beneficial to your body. When potassium combines with sodium or salt, it regulates the water levels within and between cells. Deficiency of potassium is known to be deterrent to the body as it increases the possibility of developing hypertension.
6. Non-heme Iron
All those plant items that contain iron contain the type that is called Non-heme iron. Most of the dry fruits contain this type of iron. This speciality of this type of iron is that it is not easily absorbed by the body. The iron content in apricots is helpful in preventing you from developing anaemia. Anaemia is a disorder of the blood wherein it contains a lower level of Red Blood Corpuscles and hence, a lower level of haemoglobin content in the body. According to the World Health Organization, it is one of the most severe form of nutritional disorders in the whole world. Loss of blood also indicates loss of iron content and nutrients.
7. Cancer
The rich levels of antioxidants in apricots is helpful in lowering your risk of developing cancer. Antioxidants in the body are proven to keep the body free from free radicals. Free radicals in the body are harmful. Free radicals inhabit the natural course of cell growth.
8. Skin benefits
The high level of antioxidants that are present in apricots are beneficial not only in avoiding cancer and aiding the process of cell growth, but it is also highly valuable for maintaining skin health. The antioxidants in apricots reduce the risk of ageing and help to make the skin appear taut and shining. The good level of Vitamin A content also ensures that the skin is free from acne and other such problems.
9. Helps you lose weight
The high amount of dietary fibre that the apricot fruit is gifted with is useful for those people who are looking forward to lose a few kilos. The high fibre content improves the digestive and excretory systems in the body and helps improve the rate of metabolism. Not only this, the fruit contains extremely low amount of calories. So one can easily consume a good quantity of apricots without the fear of putting on weight.
10. Treats asthma
The antioxidants lower the amount of impurities that the system can take in. The harmful free radicals are suppressed and thus any form of pollution from the environment is taken care of by consuming apricots. Asthma is a disorder of the lungs which is marked by weak lungs and the inability to breathe well. Keep away the pollutants, eat apricots and stay free from asthma!
11. Strengthens your bones
Apricots are rich in calcium content. Calcium is required by the body in bone formation and bone development. Lack of calcium leads to a disorder of the bones called Osteoporosis. The high calcium content is thus beneficial in the keeping of bone health and saves you from brittle bones.
12. Electrolyte content
Proper functioning of the cells requires a good maintenance of the electrolyte levels in the body. Electrolyte is required for transporting ions from every cell to every other cell in the body. It also maintains a stable fluid level which is necessary for proper expansion and contraction of the muscles. Apricots contain a great level of potassium and sodium. These are required by the body and help in the carrying out of all the above-mentioned functions.
History of Apricots
The weather conditions of the United States are well-suited for the growth of Apricots.
Sometimes, these fruits are also used in the form of brandy and liqueur. A rare form of oil is also distilled from the pit of the peach fruits. They are also sold as bitter almond oil. Some of the leading producers of apricots in the world are Italy, Turkey, Russia, Spain, Greece, France and the United States.
How to choose good apricots?
Apricots are available mostly in summer. When you are at the supermarket, buying apricots, make sure that you look for fruits that have a rich, orange colouring. Do not buy ones that are too hard or too soft. Tips before buying:
Orange or yellow is the natural shade of the apricot fruit. If you come across fruits in the market that have an additional reddish tinge, be careful before buying. The reddening of the apricot fruit is due to the presence of sulphur di-oxide which is a preserving agent. The best way to consume apricots is in its dry form as it is most natural and safe this way. Those suffering from asthma or have known to have sulphur-sensitivity should be extra cautious when consuming apricots. Sulphites are often added to preserve the fruit by preventing oxidation. Oxidation is the process by which the contents in the fruit react with the oxygen in the environment.
sources:wiki-fitness.com
Millions Health Benefits of Apricot and Nutrition Fact !
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