7 Benefits of Apricot and Why You Should Incorporate It Into Your Diet
Apricots are one of the most popular fruits on the market, but that doesn’t mean they’re always eaten raw and fresh.
Apricots are also used to make jams, syrups and wine it all depends on which country you’re in! If you like apricots and apricot۔
products, then read this article to find out seven ways in which apricots can improve your health and help you get healthier.
1) Fights Cancer
Apricots contain high levels of carotenoids, which are known to fight cancer. In fact, one study showed that people who ate the most carotenoids had a 35% lower risk of developing lung cancer.
Additionally, apricots are a good source of fiber, which has also been linked to a lower risk of cancer. Keep in mind that this fruit is not a substitute for standard cancer treatment- these studies show only an association between consuming apricots and having a lower risk of cancer.
If you have any type of cancer or have close family members with cancer, it’s important to consult your doctor before changing your diet. Apricots are rich in antioxidants called beta-carotene, which is found in leafy green vegetables like spinach.
Beta-carotene helps protect against oxidative stress from things like smoking, pollution, secondhand smoke and more.
The vitamin A found in apricots also protects against dry eye syndrome and blindness, as well as improving night vision.
Fights Depression: Apricots contain melatonin, which can be effective at fighting depression by inducing sleepiness and increasing serotonin production.
However, always talk to your doctor before taking melatonin supplements if you suffer from depression because there may be other reasons for it besides eating too many apricots! Enhances Immune System: Apricots are rich in Vitamin C and Selenium.
These two nutrients help enhance immune system function by boosting immunity and warding off viruses. Plus, they increase our ability to absorb iron. Helps Digestion: Apricots are packed with dietary fiber that helps regulate bowel movements.
They can also reduce symptoms of constipation due to their high water content. Plus, apricots contain small amounts of sorbitol,
which is a sugar alcohol that acts as a natural laxative. Sorbitol can act as a natural pain reliever when consumed in small doses, so apricots can provide relief for those suffering from headaches or migraines.
2) Lowers Cholesterol
One of the benefits of apricot is that it can help lower cholesterol levels. This is due to the presence of compounds like polyphenols and fiber, which can help reduce the absorption of cholesterol in the gut.
Additionally, apricots contain beta-sitosterol, a plant sterol that has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels. In fact, one study found that beta-sitosterol was even more effective than statins at reducing cholesterol when given alone or combined with other drugs.
Protects from Cancer: The Vitamin A content in apricots is also an important factor for your health as it protects you from cancer Studies have shown that people who consume Vitamin A rich diets are at less risk of developing stomach cancer.
prostate cancer and cervical cancer as compared to those who consume diets low in Vitamin A. Also, some studies suggest that women with precancerous lesions in their cervix were twice as likely to develop cervical cancer if they did not consume enough Vitamin A.
Furthermore, this vitamin may be helpful in preventing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) by modulating natural killer cells and immunoglobulin levels.
Maintains Eye Health: Another benefit of apricot is that it can help maintain eye health by protecting against macular degeneration.
It contains beta carotene, the antioxidant which converts into vitamin A within the body. Although research on how this relationship works specifically in terms of macular degeneration is limited, some evidence suggests that beta carotene may be protective against cataracts.
Apricots are also high in vitamin C, another nutrient associated with eye health. Protects Heart: Apricots contain lots of heart healthy nutrients including potassium, magnesium and copper, all three components which are needed for optimum function of the heart muscle.
Potassium regulates blood pressure while magnesium helps relax muscles including the ones around your heart. Copper is needed for making red blood cells so its deficiency could lead to anaemia which can make you feel tired or lightheaded especially when exercising.
Prevents Constipation: The high dietary fiber content in apricot helps keep bowel movements regular because it absorbs water and creates bulkier stools that are easier to pass through the intestines.
3) Boosts Immunity
The first benefit of apricot is that it helps boost your immunity. This is due to the presence of Vitamin C in apricots, which is essential for the production of white blood cells.
White blood cells help fight off infection and disease, so by consuming foods rich in Vitamin C like apricots, you can help keep your immune system strong.
In addition, apricots are a great source of potassium, an electrolyte mineral that is crucial for proper function of nerves and muscles in your body.
Finally, another awesome thing about this fruit is that it contains fiber, which can reduce cholesterol levels and make you feel fuller longer! And while apricots have only 70 calories per 100 grams, they provide ample nutrition to make up for their low calorie count.
So if you're looking for a healthier snack or something sweet that won't throw your diet out of whack, go ahead and enjoy some apricots as they're very low in sugar! However, when eaten alone, apricots may be quite tart - with about five ripe ones providing enough sweetness for one person.
To make them taste better without adding any extra sugars or syrups, add them to salads and baked goods such as muffins Or blend them into smoothies.
And other drinks with fresh juices or frozen bananas (to provide sweetness). No matter how you eat them though, be sure to include these tiny treasures in your diet today!
Also known as Persian apricots, these dried fruits are particularly abundant in polyphenols - micronutrients that have been shown to protect against heart disease, prevent oxidation damage in skin cells and potentially even help treat Alzheimer's.
Along with antioxidants, apricots also contain vitamin A (another potent antioxidant), iron and beta-carotene (which converts to vitamin A inside your body).
Apricots are also delicious on cereal or mixed with yogurt! Check out our recipe section for more ways you can use them to create tasty meals every day of the week! When buying apricots from grocery stores however, make sure they're firm but tender - not overly hard nor too soft.
4) Alleviates Pain
Pain can be debilitating, making it hard to enjoy life. Apricots can help alleviate pain naturally thanks to their high levels of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.
These properties help reduce swelling and inflammation, while also protecting cells from damage. Apricots are also a good source of vitamins A and C, which can help boost the immune system and fight off infection. They’re also rich in beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the body.
In addition to this, apricots contain melatonin, an antioxidant that helps regulate sleep cycles. They can even make a great natural alternative for people who don’t like taking sleeping pills because they have been shown to have a calming effect on individuals with insomnia.
Apricots may not be one of the most popular fruits around, but they’re certainly worth adding into your diet! They're low in calories (only about 50 per serving), high in fiber, and pack more potassium than bananas.
Apricots are also a wonderful fruit when it comes to lowering cholesterol due to their alpha-linolenic acid content - just one cup contains 33% of the recommended daily intake.
Alpha-linolenic acid has been proven effective at reducing bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides, while increasing good cholesterol (HDL).
With all these amazing benefits, you should start including apricots into your diet as soon as possible! If you’ve never tried them before, give them a try today! When selecting apricots, look for ones that are yellow or orange.
Ripe ones will be slightly soft when gently squeezed and will yield to gentle pressure without feeling mushy. The color should also be consistent across the surface with no dark spots or bruising. And if you want to include some other foods rich in healthy fats into your diet, try almonds or walnuts!
5) Helps Diabetes
Apricots are a good source of fiber which can help regulate blood sugar levels. They also contain carotenoids like beta-carotene and lycopene, which have been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and help prevent type 2 diabetes.
Furthermore, they're full of vitamin C and potassium which can be beneficial for people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Promotes Weight Loss.
Apricots contain a lot of nutrients that support weight loss including vitamin A, B vitamins such as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and folate (vitamin B9), calcium, magnesium and phosphorus.
Lower Cholesterol: The high level of soluble fiber in apricots promotes healthy digestion by reducing cholesterol absorption from the intestines. Contain Vitamin A.
Vitamin A is important for many functions in the body such as supporting healthy vision and preventing infection as well as improving memory function when taken in appropriate
6) Anti-Inflammatory Effects
The anti-inflammatory benefits of apricot are due to the presence of phytochemicals like catechins, anthocyanins, and quercetin. These compounds help to inhibit the release of inflammatory mediators, thereby reducing inflammation.
Additionally, apricots are a good source of vitamins A and C, which are also known for their anti-inflammatory effects. - Protection Against Skin Damage: Vitamin A is needed for your skin to repair itself from UV damage and other environmental damage.
Regular consumption of apricots will ensure that you have enough vitamin A in your diet. - Good Source of Fiber: Apricots are a great source of fiber; they contain both soluble and insoluble fibers, which provide excellent benefits to your digestive system.
Soluble fibers can help reduce cholesterol levels in the blood while insoluble fibers can be helpful in preventing constipation or diarrhea by absorbing water and adding bulk to stool.
Healthy Nutrients: Apricots contain essential nutrients such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus as well as Vitamins B6 & B9 (folic acid).
They are high in protein and low in sugar content, making them an ideal snack between meals. Not only do they offer many health benefits but they taste amazing too! I've been incorporating them into my daily routine lately and I've noticed increased energy levels and even clearer skin.
If you're looking for some new ways to add more fruit into your diet, consider replacing some of those sugary treats with these delicious little apricots.
Just one serving (2 apricots) has approximately 17% of your recommended daily allowance of Vitamin A and 11% of your recommended daily allowance of fiber.
Eating just two apricots per day could prevent weight gain, heart disease, cancer, arthritis, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
7) Improves Vision
As we age, our vision naturally deteriorates. According to a study done by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, eating foods rich in carotenoids, like apricots, can help reduce the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Not only that, but lutein and zeaxanthin, two compounds found in apricots, have been shown to improve overall eye health and protect against cataracts. Other studies suggest they may also prevent other types of cancers such as lung cancer.
They are also great for your teeth because they contain essential minerals like calcium and phosphorus which make up the tooth enamel. Help with Digestion: The soluble fiber in apricots is important for digestion because it helps break down food and keeps you regular.
They are especially good for those who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome or constipation since their high water content makes them an excellent natural laxative! Anti-inflammatory.
Eating fresh fruit on a daily basis provides not only healthy nutrients, but offers another way to combat inflammation through phytonutrients found in plant foods.
In fact, according to research conducted at Purdue University’s Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, blueberries were more effective than ibuprofen when it came to reducing inflammation markers.
Fights Cancer: According to the National Cancer Institute's Division of Cancer Prevention, this tasty fruit contains more antioxidant activity than many other fruits on the market today.
It is believed that these antioxidants work together with nutrients like vitamin C and E to eliminate free radicals which damage cells within the body.
Protects Against Alzheimer's Disease: The Alzheimer’s Association reports that there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease.
However, recent research suggests that the antioxidants found in apricots can actually slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease by blocking inflammation caused by oxidative stress.
Aids Weight Loss: Research has shown that some people may experience decreased weight gain when following a diet including low calorie dried fruits like apricots.
Furthermore, apricots are an energy dense snack so be careful not to overeat them if you're watching your weight because they will add pounds very quickly if eaten too much!