Apricots are also high in flavonoids, an antioxidant that fights inflammation and inflammatory diseases while lowering the chances of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Catechin, quercetin, and chlorogenic acids are the primary flavonoids in apricots. Many antioxidants, such as beta carotene and vitamins A, C, and E, can be found in apricots. Furthermore, they’re high in flavonoids, a type of polyphenol antioxidant that has been proven to protect against diabetes and heart disease.
Apricots are modest in size, but they pack a punch in flavor and nutrition. These vitamin and mineral-rich yellow-orange fruits have a flavor that varies from sweet to sweet-tart, depending on the type. Apricots have a smooth exterior with soft fuzz, and their flesh is smooth and reasonably juicy when mature. Apricots are low in fat but high in beta-carotene and vitamin A. These nutrients protect your cells from harm by acting as antioxidants.
Apricot Nutrition Facts
What Are Apricots?
Apricots are smooth, round to oblong in shape, and have yellowish-orange flesh, comparable to peaches. The matured apricot fruit might have a mealy, pulp-like consistency. The exterior skin of an apricot fruit contains microscopic hairs on it, which are eaten along with the flesh. Apricot is regarded as the healthiest fruit globally since it is high in nutrients. Apricots come in various forms, including stewed fruit, juices, preserves, and dried apricots. Apricots can be dried using both natural and sulfured drying methods.
Apricot trees are modest and growing, with broad leaves at the base and sharp green pointy points. Apricot blossoms are white and self-pollinating. They are delicious when apricots are fully ripe; nevertheless, unripe apricots are hard and inedible. The fruit of the apricot tree is the apricot. Fruit and fruit juice are used to treat many ailments. Apricot is used to treat asthma, constipation, infertility, vaginal infections, and other ailments, but there is little scientific evidence to back up these claims. Apricot oil is used in cosmetics manufacture.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Apricots?
Apricot has several medicinal benefits, including treating asthma, cough, bleeding, constipation, eye inflammation, infertility, vaginal infections, and spasm.
1 Improved Vision
Apricots are high in fat-soluble Vitamin A (Retinol), which improves visual quality. The evidence reveals that apricot retinol and beta carotene function in treating eye problems, and it may be necessary for age-related eye disorders such as vision loss.
2 Apricot Is A Good Source Of Dietary Fiber
Apricots, both fresh and dried, are high in fiber. Apricots can be included in a healthy diet to aid diabetes, heart disease, weight gain, and several diseases. Clinical studies have shown that the dietary fibers in apricots can dissolve fatty acids in the body, improving digestion.
3 Heart Health
Potassium is abundant in apricots, and potassium is also necessary for the healthy functioning of the heart. Apricots should be included in a patient’s regular diet if they suffer from cardiac difficulties. Regular apricot consumption and potassium aid in maintaining electrolyte balance in the body, which is linked to blood pressure regulation. It can also aid in maintaining a healthy heart and the prevention of heart attacks.
4 Skin Problems
Apricots are high in fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins like vitamin A and C. Additionally, consuming phytonutrient-rich apricots may aid in the maintenance of good skin. The vitamins are necessary for good skin health. Apricot has a lot of water, and therefore it maintains your body cells hydrated and soothes your skin.
5 Gut Health
Apricots have a higher soluble fiber content than other fruits, which helps to promote gastrointestinal health. The soluble fibers in apricots can cause stool bulking, which helps keep gut microbes at bay for easier digestion.
6 Bone Health
Apricots are beneficial to gut health since they contain a higher level of soluble fiber. The soluble fibers in apricots can cause stool bulking, which can help keep intestinal bacteria at bay, allowing the digestive system to function more efficiently.
7 Hair Growth
Apricots are high in linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid. Linoleic acid aids in the maintenance of healthy, lustrous hair. Apricot’s fatty acids can also assist sufficient supply nourishment and calm scalp skin, which helps promote skin growth.
How to Select And Prepare Apricots?
The growing season for California apricots is short, usually from May through August. They’re plentiful in grocery stores, farmers’ markets and roadside vegetable stands when they’re in season. Apricots from South America are likely to be imported during the off-season.
When shopping for apricots, aim for ones that are uniformly colored in dark golden orange or reddish-orange tone. Underripe apricots are pale yellow or yellow-green and have little flavor. Choose apricots that aren’t too ripe. These are prone to wrinkles and may mash during transportation. Fresh apricots can be eaten in various ways, including by hand. They can also be used as a garnish in recipes or incorporated into some cuisines.
Here Are Some Apricot-Based Recipes To Try:
- Enjoy an apricot crisp or cobbler.
- Fresh vanilla bean is used to poach apricot halves.
- Bake an apricot and pistachio tart.
- For a spicy-sweet sauce over chicken, combine fresh apricot jam with red pepper flakes.
- Apricot compote is a delicious topping for French toast.
- Drizzle apricot glaze over the ham that has been roasted.
Are Apricots High In Sugar?
According to the USDA, apricots have a lower sugar content than berries, and one fresh apricot contains slightly over three grams of sugar. Apricots are a terrific way to mix your fruit routine while still eating something tasty and nutritious.
In terms of calories and sugar, they’re nearly identical. One hundred grams of apricot halves have 48 calories and 9 grams of sugar. One hundred grams of fresh apricot has about 11 grams of carbs, 2 grams of dietary fiber, and 9 grams of naturally occurring sugar. Dried apricots have more naturally occurring sugar per serving than fresh apricots, and sugar may have been added during processing. As a result, reading the food label is always a brilliant idea.
Is Apricot A Superfood?
The apricot is a fruit that comes from the apricot tree. Dried apricots are a genuine superfood, with a high fiber content preserved during the drying process and a high concentration of vitamins and minerals. One cup of dried apricots has 94 percent of your daily Vitamin A requirements and 19 percent of your iron requirements.
Beta-carotene and antioxidants are abundant in apricots. They also include nutrients like carotenoids and xanthophylls, which help with night vision and age-related vision problems. Catechins, which are effective anti-inflammatory agents, are also found in apricots.
What Does Apricot Taste Like?
Fresh apricots are small, spherical fruits that range in color from light to vivid orange, depending on the variety and ripeness. You may also come across individuals with a lovely pink glow on their skin. When fully mature, they taste like a peach with a hint of sourness (unripe ones will be sourer). Apricots are sour, sweet, and delicious fruits frequently used in pies, preserves, and savory meat dishes. They’re not as well-known as other stone fruits, but they’re just as wonderful!
Are There Any Side Effects Of Eating Apricots?
1. Digestive Problems
Though apricots are good for digestion and digestive health, consuming too many of them might cause constipation and other digestive problems. Make sure you don’t eat too many apricots!
2. Nausea
You may feel nauseated and want to vomit if you eat too many apricots. This is a common apricot side effect, and the key to avoiding this is to eat apricots in moderation.
Apricots are an extremely nutritious fruit with a high antioxidant content that makes them well-known and helpful. People worldwide are discovering the benefits of apricots and incorporating them into their everyday diets. You may indeed purchase apricots for your and your family’s health!
Conclusion
Apricots are high in natural antioxidants, which protect the body from the sun and pollutants. Apricot antioxidants can also assist in reducing the risk of wrinkles and sunburn on the skin. Apricots, both fresh and dried, can be found at supermarkets. Because of their high water content, apricots aid in hydration, necessary for maintaining a healthy heart rate and blood pressure. The apricot is a fruit that comes from the apricot tree. Dried apricots are a genuine superfood, with a high fiber content preserved during the drying process and a high concentration of vitamins and minerals. One cup of dried apricots has 94 percent of your daily Vitamin A requirements and 19 percent of your iron requirements.
It’s not just vegetables that cause gas; fruit can also cause it. Sorbitol, a sugar alcohol that is highly gassy, is found in apples, bananas, peaches, pears, apricots, oranges, and dried fruit. While there is no suggested daily dose of dried apricots, a standard serving is roughly eight halves, which counts as one of your five a day, and it’s preferable to vary these as much as possible.
