Benefits of Apricots
One of the benefits of apricots is it acts as a mild and natural laxative. Dried apricots contain almost the same amount of dietary fiber as dried prunes and dried plums. Eating apricots induce bowel movements and relieve or prevent constipation.
The apricot tree or prunus armeniaca is native to Northern China and Himalayas. There are several varieties of apricots grown around the world and each has its unique taste. Within the orange or yellow color skin and some with red flush, is yellowish orange flesh. The fruits are eaten raw, dried, made into apricot jam or preserves or added to cooking and baking.
The flesh surrounds a hard shell or wood-like pit with a seed inside it. The apricot seeds or apricot kernels are edible and are also pressed to obtain the apricot oil. Apricot oil is used as salad dressing, in cooking, taken internally as alternative medicine and also as topical application to treat certain conditions. It is also an ingredient in skin care products and cosmetics.
Raw apricots are rich in carotenoids namely alpha carotene, beta carotene, beta cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin. Alpha carotene, beta carotene and beta cryptoxanthin are provitamin A carotenoids. They are converted to vitamin A in the body when the need arises.
Beta carotene is an antioxidant and it is beneficial for the body to fight free radicals and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart problems and cancer. Beta cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin are also antioxidants and they are particularly useful in the prevention of age related macular degeneration which can lead to blindness as a person ages. Researches indicate that zeaxanthin is a more powerful antioxidant than vitamin E.
If you want to obtain the benefits of apricot in terms of getting the carotenoids, eat the raw fruit instead of dried apricots because all these are lost. But one of the benefits of eating dried apricots besides having a higher amount of fiber is its vitamin A content. There is almost twice the amount of vitamin A in the dried fruit compared to the raw and ripe apricot. Dried apricots contain 4 times more choline, potassium and calcium. In fact most of the vitamins and minerals are higher in dried apricots except for vitamin C which is greatly reduced.
More Benefits of Apricots
- The vitamin A supports vision and eye health, promotes healthy skin, teeth, mucous membranes and the development of skeletal tissue.
- Builds and maintain healthy strong bones and teeth because of the presence of calcium and reduces the risk of osteoporosis, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, PMS and obesity.
- Another one of the benefits of apricot is it benefits the heart. The potassium present is beneficial in maintaining smooth heart muscle contraction. It also aids in digestive functions.
- Eating dried apricots is also helpful in lowering bad cholesterol level and assist in brain functioning.
What about apricot seeds and apricot oil? Are they safe for consumption?
Prior to studies done in the United States in the 1970s to 1980, apricot seeds were eaten as a cancer preventive agent also to prevent malignant cell growth. But after the researches were done, it was established that apricot seeds do not reduce tumors or cure cancer.
It's not advisable to eat more than 8 apricot seeds a day as it can cause side effects such as dizziness, headache, nausea and vomiting. According to researchers, apricot seeds contain amygdalin which will break down into cyanide or prussic acid in the human body and can be toxic if it is in high dosage.
However, Chinese medicine practitioners think otherwise though they use the seeds with caution. They have been using apricots seeds in their practice to treat respiratory problems such as bronchitis and emphysema, cough and constipation.
Except for a small amount of vitamin E, phytosterols or plant sterols, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, there are no nutrients present in apricot kernel oil. The oil is useful as a moisturizer for treating dry and aging skin, fine lines and dry hair. It is taken internally as salad dressing.
Except for sugar, apricot preserves or jam have lost or reduced most of its nutrients.
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