Dried apricots benefits have a lot. Dried apricots provide 94% of your body’s daily need for Vitamin A and 19% of its iron. Dried apricots also contain potassium and antioxidants and have been known to lower cholesterol and improve digestion. Dried apricots are fat-free, low in calories & high in flavor. Here we are going to discuss the benefits of dried apricots.
Dried Apricots Benefits
Rich in antioxidants
Apricots contain many antioxidants, which include beta carotene and other vitamins with antioxidant properties. Apricots also contain flavonoids, which are a group of antioxidants potentially linked with positive effects on illnesses such as heart diseases and diabetes.
Flavonoids work by neutralizing free radicals in our bodies, which are responsible for causing oxidative stress and damaging our cells. Additionally, consuming flavonoids may help lower inflammation. A 2015 study found growing evidence that flavonoids may have an anti-inflammatory effect in relation to certain chronic diseases.
Respiratory health improvement
Eating a few pieces of dried apricots can already result in positive effects on respiratory disorders. The dried variant acts as an expectorant. It also has stimulating effects.
With these qualities, dried apricots are a safe way of reducing stress and pressure from the respiratory tract. It helps prevent asthma attacks, as well.
Hemoglobin production increase
The iron and copper in dried apricots produce hemoglobin that can help in its additional production. Adding the fruit into the diet of an anemic patient can help improve their condition. Still, it is wise to consult a doctor first to get proper treatment.
Benefits during pregnancy
Infertility, hemorrhage, and spasms are possible problems during pregnancy. These can be cured by eating dried apricots, which can also be used for curing vaginal infections.
Dried apricots are considered an herbal medicine for pregnancy. They can be consumed moderately by lactating or pregnant mothers. They can serve as snacks as well.
Digestive tract clearing
Dried apricots act as a mild laxative for the digestive tract. As a laxative, it helps flush out unwanted wastes. Another benefit of dried apricots as a laxative is that it reacts to digestive juices. Its reaction produces an alkaline environment to clean the digestive tract.
Skin benefits
The juice of dried apricots can help treat itching caused by eczema, sunburn, and scabies. It helps treat many other skin problems.
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Reduction of fever
If you dilute dried apricots with some honey and water, it can help reduce fever. It can also give relief from thirst.
Digestion improvement
Consuming dried apricots before a meal can help stimulate digestion. With the alkali that it contains, dried apricots can neutralize acids.
Dried apricots can be taken before a meal in cases of indigestion. But, if symptoms persist, you should go to a doctor for a thorough examination.
Constipation treatment
Dried apricots contain pectin and cellulose. Pectin helps maintain the water levels in the body during constipation, while cellulose acts as insoluble fiber.
Fighting anemia
A very good source of iron, dried apricots are useful in fighting anemia. They contain iron-absorbing copper as well.
Blood clotting
Vitamin K is a vitamin found in dried apricots that is useful for blood clotting. This vitamin helps stop excessive bleeding.
Supplements are widely available. But, nutritionists still encourage the use of natural sources of Vitamin K. Eating dried apricots at least once a day will help stock up this vitamin in the body.
Building muscles
The potassium contained by dried apricots helps in improving metabolism, as well as the function of organs and tissues. This is important for normal body growth and muscle building, as well as the regulation of the acid levels in the body. It is also useful for protein synthesis.
High blood pressure control
Potassium in dried apricots is three times more than the amount in bananas. It contains only a trace of salt, which helps keep the blood pressure down. It also protects the body against heart diseases.
Skin glow enhancement
The oil from dried apricots is useful for skin care. It helps make the skin smooth and glowing. It can be a good remedy for sore ears, as well.
Promoting eye health
Dried apricots are a natural source of Vitamin E and Vitamin A, both of which have numerous amazing health benefits. Apricots contain Beta-Carotene, which the body breaks down into the active form. Growing evidence suggests that Vitamins A and E, and Beta-Carotene may play an important role in preventing or mitigating age-related eye disorders.
By highlighting their key nutrients, other studies validate the potential benefits of dried apricots on eye health. Carotenoids, which are found within apricots, may help reduce oxidative stress on the retinas and lenses of our eyes. This may help promote excellent eye health even as we age.
Improving bone mineral density
Post-menopausal women and many aging adults in general experience bone density loss. It’s actually one of the most common causes of many bone disorders, such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and other similar disorders.
Dried apricots contain Boron, a natural mineral with amazing health benefits. Research studies have shown that Boron may play diverse and essential roles in the functional properties of bone health. Evidence displays that Boron may help with overall bone health, bone healing, and bone metabolism.
Therefore, Boron may have a profound effect on your bone health, and allow for support in the composition, structure, and overall strength of your bones. It may also prevent or mitigate bone disorders such as osteoporosis.
Skin damage and the effects of aging
Vitamins and dietary carotenoids have been known to play a vital role in overall skin health and appearance. In fact, many Nutri-cosmetic products contain vital vitamins and natural carotenoids that may promote skin health.
Evidence now points to the fact that proper nutrition is critical for skin health and appearance. Dried Apricots contain many of these vital nutrients. They contain beta-carotene for instance, which your body converts into Vitamin A (retinol). There’s strong evidence that it may offer extra protection against sunburns and the more permanent dangers of UV rays
Treatment of anemia
Pregnant and menstruating women often face a great risk of anemia. This is a condition in which your blood doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells to transport sufficient oxygen to the body’s tissues.
Anemia may be a temporary or long-term condition, both of which result from a deficiency of iron. Eating iron-rich foods is the best way to prevent and treat anemia. You can get about 3.5 milligrams of iron from a cup of dried apricot (halves).
While they may not meet your daily nutritional requirements for iron, apricots have the added benefit of vitamin C. Several research studies show that vitamin C may enhance the absorption of iron in our bodies.
It may help reduce blood pressure
Dried apricots are a rich source of Potassium, a mineral linked with promoting healthy blood pressure. You can expect to consume around 259mg of potassium for every 3.5 ounces of apricots (approximately half a cup of fruits).
A research study conducted in 2013 showed high-quality evidence that consuming potassium may reduce high blood pressure in individuals suffering from hypertension. The study further suggested that a higher intake of potassium was linked to a 24 percent reduction in the risk of stroke.
Potassium is also an electrolyte that works closely with other minerals such as sodium to provide fluid balance to your body. It may help with regulating nerve signals and muscle contractions in the body.
Promoting gut health
Dried apricots contain about 2 grams of dietary fiber for every 100 grams or 1/2 cup of fruit. Dietary fiber has been shown to delay the movement of food as it goes through your digestive tract. Therefore, it feeds the good gut bacteria in your intestines, which may lead to a much healthier gut.
Trillions of bacteria live in your body, mostly in your intestines. They are incredibly important for your health, and the foods you eat determine the type of bacteria that get to live in your body. Research studies show that a healthier gut microbiome may lower the risk of obesity.
Dried apricots contain both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber. Emerging research studies show that dietary fiber may provide additional health benefits such as maintaining healthy blood sugar levels as well as cholesterol levels.
Nutrition Facts of Dried Apricots
To further support the benefits of dried apricots, the following is nutritional information about dried apricots.
100 grams of the dried apricots contain the following nutrients:
- Carbohydrates 11g
- Dietary Fiber 2g
- Iron 0.39mg
- Magnesium 10mg
- Calcium 13mg
- Folate 9g
- Manganese 0.077mg
- Niacin 0.600mg
- Pyridoxine 0.054mg
- Potassium 259 mg
- Phosphorus 23 mg
- Sodium 1mg
- Thiamin 0.030mg
- Vitamin A 1926IU
- Vitamin C 10mg
- Vitamin K 3.3g
- Zinc 0.2mg
Dried Apricots Side Effects
Though there are many food items in the market with similar benefits as dried apricots and side effects that can be ignored, however, that isn’t the case with apricots, for an unregulated consumption of dried apricots can have serious dangers.
It is important to check the pack of dried apricots that you have purchased from the market, for it could contain toxic elements such as sulfur dioxide. Every dried fruit tends to contain this element in small quantities and when consumed in minimal quantity, it appears to be fine and hardly causes any disturbance to the body.
However, it is highly advised that if you are suffering from breathing disorders like asthma, you should avoid food items that are dried, as you could be highly sensitive to the sulfide content in them, and it might cause further breathing difficulties and allergies.
On a final note, it is safe to say that the incorporation of dried apricots into your regular diet must be an informed decision. Taking into account its benefits as well as side effects, planned and regulated consumption of dried apricots can help in maximizing its beneficial nature.
