Apricot health benefits includes relieving constipation, strengthening the bones, boosting metabolism, treating ear pain, treating skin conditions, treating anemia, combating asthma, promoting eye health, treating fever, improving the quality of blood, help prevent cancer, and improving heart health.
What is Apricot?
Scientifically referred to as Prunus Armeciaca, Apricot (apricots) are a nutritious fruit that come from the Rosacea family. They are a small, orange-colored fruit with a thin skin and a tangy, soft flesh. Seen as one of the most versatile fruits, common knowledge claims that apricots were originally cultivated in China until they were discovered by the Persians.
Nutritional Value of Apricots
Due to its rich nutritional value and various health benefits, apricots are considered a superfood for health-conscious people. The impressive health benefits are due to the high quantities of vitamins, including vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, and niacin in considerable amounts, along with an array of other key vitamins in small amounts (less than 5% of daily recommended requirement). In addition to that, apricots also have a good mineral content, which includes copper, potassium, manganese, phosphorus, and magnesium. They are an excellent source of dietary fiber, just like the majority of fruits out there.
11 Reasons Why You Should Consume More Apricot
1. To Relieve Constipation
Since apricots are packed with dietary fiber, it doesn’t come off as surprising why they would be so effective at smoothening your bowel movements. They are normally recommended for patients who often suffer from constipation owing to its laxative properties. Fiber helps stimulate digestive and gastric juices that help absorb nutrients and break down the food for easier processing. Moreover, fiber also triggers the peristaltic movement of the digestive tract, calming the stomach muscles for smoother and quick bowel movements.
2. To Strengthen the Bones
Apricots have moderate or considerable quantities of all the minerals needed for bone growth and development such as calcium, manganese, phosphorus, copper, and iron. So, eating apricots on a daily basis can help enhance your bone health and help steer you clear of a variety of bone related diseases such as osteoporosis.
3. To Boost Metabolism
The amount of fluids in your body is mainly dependent on two minerals, sodium, and potassium. The high levels of potassium in apricots have been associated with maintaining fluid balance in your body, ensuring energy is thoroughly distributed to the right muscles and organs. By maintaining a healthy balance of electrolytes, you can benefit from more energy, reduced cramping, and keep your useable energy and blood flowing through your body as you need it to.
4. To Treat Ear Pain
If you are suffering from a severe earache, then dripping a few drops of apricot oil into your ear canal should prove to be an effective remedy. As per scientists, the antioxidant content present in apricot oil is responsible for alleviating earaches.
5. To Treat Skin Conditions
Apricot oil is an excellent source of treating various skin diseases and conditions. This oil is highly rich in antioxidants, vitamin A and vitamin E and thus favorable for improving both skin and hair health. When you massage this oil onto your skin, it penetrates deep into your pores and rejuvenates the cells to unleash a healthy and glowing skin. Furthermore, it is also widely used for getting rid of premature skin aging, dry and dull skin, acne, irritation, rashes and various other skin troubles. Other than these general skin problems, apricot essential oil has the capacity to cure serious skin diseases, such as dermatitis, and eczema among others.
6. To Treat Anemia
Due to the presence of copper and iron, apricots assist in the production of hemoglobin. This quality helps treat anemia, which is a blood disorder caused mainly by iron deficiency. The disease can result in fatigue, weakness, digestive issues, lightheadedness, and an overall metabolic dysfunction. In absence of red blood cells, the body fails to reoxygenate itself properly, and organ systems start malfunctioning. Iron is an important element of red blood cell formation, and so is copper.
7. To combat Asthma
Apricot oil is also believed to be anti-asthmatic in nature and assists in treating the disease and its associated symptoms. It has certain stimulant and expectorant qualities owing to its essential oils. One of these qualities can help relieve stress and pressure on the respiratory system and lungs, thus preventing asthma attacks even before they start.
8. To Promote Eye Health
Foods rich in vitamins A, C, beta-carotene, and carotenoids can help reduce the risk of eye problems and complications. The degenerative impact of harmful free radicals may result in cataracts. It can also restrict the blood flow to the eyes, resulting in macular degeneration. The high beta-carotene levels enhance the blood flow to the eyes, reversing age-related macular degeneration. It comprises of an antioxidant known as Zeaxanthin, which offers light filtering functions, therefore improving your eyesight.
8. To Treat Fever
Apricot juice is known to treat fever. Its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties impact the body’s general temperature, thus treating fever. If you are experiencing a bad fever, prepare a concoction containing water and apricot juice. Add one tbsp of honey to this solution. Drink the solution twice a day to relieve fever, cough, and cold.
9. To Improve The Quality Of Your Blood
Any plant produce that comprises of iron packs non-heme iron, and that also includes apricot. This kind of iron takes a long time to be completely absorbed by the body, and the longer it stays in the body, the better your chances of having a good quality blood and also preventing anemia.
10. To Prevent Cancer
Apricot seeds are believed to help in cancer treatment. Between the antioxidants compounds and carotenoids that apricots have, it is plausible that they are a threat to free radicals cells. Free radicals are the harmful byproducts of cellular metabolism that can lead to the formation of cancerous cells. Antioxidants balance these dangerous elements and make sure that the body does not contract issues like heart disease, cancer, aging skin and Alzheimer’s disease.
11. To Improve Heart Health
Apricots are a great way to shield your heart from a range of disease, which includes strokes, heart attacks, and atherosclerosis. A high content of vitamin C, along with dietary fiber and potassium, all contribute to a good heart health. Potassium helps lower blood pressure by calming the tension in the blood vessels, vitamin C shields the heart against free radicals, and fiber scrapes the extra cholesterol from the lining of arteries and vessels, thus cleansing and minimizing the pressure on the heart.
Bottom Line
All in all, there is nothing better than incorporating fresh apricots in your diet on a regular basis. Eat the whole, juice them or add them a in a fruit salad, the choice is yours. With a range of health boosting capabilities, this fruit tastes really good and is easily available.