So many people are raving about the supposed healthy perks of the flavourful fruit. What makes me to say that this is flavourful fruit when i haven’t even ate one apricot till present? Well, from what I have find out was, the taste of apricots and similar to plums and peaches. They generally have a sweeter and tart taste.
In India, apricot fruits are grown commercially in the hills of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and to a limited in north eastern hills.
Apricots
And it seems that, we couldn’t get fresh apricots in Southern India but choose dried or semi dried apricots in Amazon which is way too expensive. I have also come across shops selling apricot seeds for home remedies.
There seems to be so low chances of exportation of this fruit which is because even they are reached in optimum eating condition to stores, they will become over ripe in minutes which is an expensive waste. And when picked too green,the apricots can turn softer and mealy, never ripening properly.
So,when you plan a spectacular bike trip to Leh Manali highway, don’t forget to grab an apricot with you lol! You will realise that the fruit is worth it by the end of the article!
Let’s jump straight to know about the superduper benefits of apricots!
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1. Promotes Your Skin Health
Promotes Your Skin Health
Eating apricots is very beneficial for your skin. Apricots, being a loaded source of vitamin C and E protects your skin against UV damage and environmental pollutants.
This vitamin helps build collagen,which gives your skin strength and elasticity.
Beta carotene, another carotene nutrient protects against sunburns.
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2. Good For Your Gut
Good For Your Gut
Apricots are particularly high in soluble fibre, which is important for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels.
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3. Apricots As A Folk Medicine
As I have mentioned earlier, it has been a popular remedy in China and among the mountainous inhabitants of Himalayas for centuries. The folk describes apricots as analgesic, antihelmetic, antiseptic, antispasmodic and antipyretic. Apricot fruits in Chinese medicine is thought to be
useful in regenerating body fluids and detoxification.
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4. Improve Vision
Improve Vision
Frequent intake of apricot intake have linked to reduced risk of vision loss. Apricots which are rich in carotenoids and xanthophylls – nutrients that researchers believe can prevent age related macular degeneration. They contain Vitamin A which is an important nutrient for the eye.
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5. Prevents Liver Damage
Prevents Liver Damage
Researchers concluded that eating apricots had beneficial effects on CC14 induced liver steatosis and damage probably due to its antioxidant nutrient (beta carotene and vitamins). The area of liver injury have significantly decreased by apricot feeding.
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6. Boosts Bone Health
Boosts Bone Health
Apricots contains calcium, the mineral important for bone development and health. It is also good source of potassium which is important for the proper distribution of calcium all over the body.
In animal studies, the alteration in the vertical trabecular bone of animals receiving dried apricots coincided with improved biomechanical properties including bone strength and stiffness. These improvements in biomechanical and structural properties suggest that dried pulm supplementation results in enhanced bone quality.
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7.Level Up The Hemoglobin Level!
Prevents Anemia
Apricots are a good sources of iron. Iron enhances hemoglobin production which prevents anemia caused by iron deficiencies.
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Apricot kernals don’t cure cancer and might poison You!
Neuhouser (2004) concluded that there is substantial evidence regarding the role of flavonoids in reducing the risk of lung cancer. They have shown anticarcinogenic potential in a number of studies. A compound extracted from Japanese apricot variety “MK615” have also shown anti tumour activity against human pancreatic cancer and liver cancer cells in laboratory. Human studies on the effect of aqueous amygdaline extracts from armeniacae semen have shown apoptotic cell death of prostate cancer as mentioned in researchgate.
Wait! You have not completed reading!
Cyanide Poisoning
In a report published last year, the European food safety authority warned of many cases of children who were hospitalized because of cyanide poisoning after eating apricot kernals.
A 67 years old patient with prostate cancer, after overconsumption of apricots was informed that the kernals were making him sick. But, he decided to continue taking them which result in death caused by cyanide poisoning. It’s because the apricot seeds contain amygdaline , a compound also called laetrile which is converted to cyanide in the body.
Laetrile doesn’t have any anticancer activity according to the National Cancer Institute,and its use for treating cancer is illegal in US. The FDA doesn’t approve amygdaline as a form of cancer treatment.
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But since it a good loaded source of vitamins and minerals, let’s utilise it in a healthy way and not overconsume it in a form of any therapy!
Reference Links:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3612052/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19822030
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328274247_Nutritional_and_health_benefits_of_apricots
- https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/glossary/apricot
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/apricots-benefits
- https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cms_ia/importalert_167.html
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