This is a not very large deciduous tree that can live up to a hundred years in good conditions. Thanks to deep roots, it tolerates drought well. Does not freeze up to 30 degrees of frost. The fruit is an orange-yellow drupe, sometimes with a pink flank. It is eaten raw as well as dried. Used in some regions and kernels prepared in a special way ( see further). Oil is made from seeds.
Composition and calories
Carotene gives the apricot fruits a wonderful orange color - there is no less of this provitamin than in carrots. The fruit pulp is rich in pectin, sugars ( more than 10%). The fruit contains inulin, malic, tartaric and citric acids, starch, tannins. Due to their high sugar content, people with diabetes should consume them in limited quantities. The composition includes a lot of iron, phosphorus and magnesium, calcium. The record holder for potassium content is two times more than in dry grapes and three times more than in dry apples. Armenian varieties are rich in iodine, so they can be used to prevent thyroid diseases.Contraindications and warnings
It is undesirable to use fresh fruits on an empty stomach, as well as after a heavy meal.You should not drink water immediately after eating raw fruits - diarrhea may occur.
The consumption of raw and dried fruits should be reduced for obesity and diabetes.
With great care, you should use raw fruits with exacerbation of diseases of the digestive tract, dysbacteriosis.
With a slow heartbeat pulse below 55 beats in 60 seconds) should not eat either raw or dry fruits.
Green fruits are hard to process in the digestive organs, cause an increase in acidity, sour belching and heartburn, so people suffering from gastrointestinal diseases should refrain from these fruits.
How to choose and store?
When buying, you should pay attention to ripened fruits with a fairly hard skin, without spots. Do not take greenish fruits or those covered with dents. When breaking the fruit, the stone should fall out easily, the pulp should not be mushy, but at the same time, it should remain juicy. The presence of dark brown dots on the fruit indicates overripeness if there are more than 10 of them. Fruits with worms, of course, should not be taken. But from the same batch, not affected fruits will be environmentally friendly.Often, in places of growth, the fruits are harvested half-green, so that during transportation they "reached". Such fruits do not gain enough juiciness and, with a pleasant appearance, remain dry and hard. At the same time, their skin is too thin.
The most delicious varieties - "pineapple" and "banana" - these fruits are of a uniform yellow color, slightly elongated and rather large. Large orange fruits with a pink barrel are very good for conservation. They have a sweet and sour taste. Small yellow fruits are most often not too sweet, and may even be bitter.
If the fruits were properly harvested and transported, they can be stored at room temperature for up to three days, and in the refrigerator at a temperature close to zero for up to twenty days!
For long-term storage, the fruits are preserved in the form of jam, compotes, dried and frozen.
Apricot Salad Recipes
Apricots are more often used for making desserts and pastries, but adherents of a healthy lifestyle should not get carried away with sweets and high-calorie pies. For them, recipes of very tasty and healthy dishes are specially selected. 1. Coarsely chop 3 carrots, add chopped 2 cups of dried apricots, the pulp of one lemon. Fill with 100 gr. sour cream mixed with sugar and parsley. This is a very healthy salad that can be the basis for a fasting diet. In this case, you do not need to add sugar to it.
2. To increase the level of hemoglobin, such a salad is suitable: mix a glass of walnut kernels with a glass of finely chopped dried apricots, season with honey. In large quantities, this salad can not be eaten, as it is high in calories. In babies, honey can cause allergies. There is another option for dressing this salad: a mixture of a spoonful of cognac and powdered sugar, but it is only suitable for adult gourmets.
3. Mix 200 gr. raw apricots, 100 gr. raw cabbage finely chopped, 100 gr. chopped apples, 80 gr. thinly sliced turnips and carrots. Mix everything and season with a mixture of sour cream and sugar, pour over lemon juice. Serve on lettuce leaves and sprinkle with mint.
4. Low calorie dessert: divide into slices and remove the seeds from 0.5 kg of ripe fruits, arrange them in bowls and pour over lemon juice. Whip vegetable cream with 2 tbsp. l. powdered sugar, put the cream on the fruit, cool a little in the refrigerator.
5. Boil and cut into strips chicken breast, boil and cut into three eggs, one onion also into strips, 2 pickled cucumbers and 0.2 kg of dried apricots. Mix everything and season with low-calorie mayonnaise. Such a salad can be served at the festive table, it is very spicy and at the same time suitable for many diets.
6. Apricot curd dessert: put whole apricots in sugar syrup ( 100 gr. sugar and a glass of water, vanilla), boil on low heat for 10 minutes, remove and let cool. Carefully, so as not to damage the integrity of the fetus, pull out the bones. Fill the fruits with cottage cheese cream: beat the cottage cheese with cream, sugar and a small amount of liquor, you can add a little pitted cherries. Put the finished dessert in the refrigerator to cool. Garnish with whipped cream before serving.
7. Beautifully cut the same number of pears and apricots, mix and season with honey or sugar. Leave for a while and mix again before serving.
How to dry?
These fruits can be dried whole, only by squeezing out the stone, then the result will be called kaisa. If you divide the fruit into halves, you get dried apricots. They make both types of dried fruits from large varieties. And dried fruits with a stone are called apricots. Slightly dried large apricots grown in warm regions are called whispers. They are very tasty and contain up to 80% sugars. For drying at home, you can not pull out the bones and take small fruits, as well as those that are not suitable for making kaisa and dried apricots.
To get high-quality dried fruits, fruits should be picked more ripe than for eating or seaming.
You can dry the fruits in the oven or directly in the open air. At the beginning, you should set a lower temperature of + 50 - 60 degrees, later you can increase it to 70 degrees, and at the end again reduce it and slightly open the oven door. Before laying the fruits in the sun, you need to hold them for three hours in a draft in the shade.
Drying ends when the fruits, when pressed, do not give juice, while remaining soft. When drying in the oven, the fruits may have different humidity, but after a while the humidity levels out.
Before laying in the dryer, the fruits should be washed and pitted. They should be dried in the sun, strung on a string or laid out on a wire rack. From a kilogram of pitted fruits, two hundred grams of the finished product will be obtained.
How to grow from a bone?
From the seed you can grow a good fruit-bearing tree. To do this, the bones are washed, soaked a little in water with potassium permanganate. Those that float up when soaked should be collected and discarded. The bones should be stored in clean sand moistened with water in the refrigerator. It is desirable to maintain a constant temperature and humidity.So the bones will overwinter and sprouts will begin to break through in early March. They should be kept on the window and cared for like ordinary indoor flowers, and as soon as the weather allows, they should be planted in the garden. Seedlings should be watered frequently and planted in autumn, when they are already about a meter high.
All surviving seedlings should be left for the first wintering, as many can freeze out. But those who survived one winter will certainly survive further.
It is advisable to take bones of different varieties and, in the process of growing seedlings, choose those that have proven themselves best.
Apricot, “Armenian apple”, “armeniaca” is a beige fruit, often with orange or reddish “sides”, growing on a tree. Its taste is sometimes sweet, sometimes sour, but the fruit always has its lover. Many different varieties of apricot have been bred to this day, it is impossible to list them all. Each of them has approximately the same properties of apricots, calorie content, composition. The benefits of fresh apricots are undeniable, especially for women and children.
The use of fresh and dried apricots is of great benefit to the body, what? We will talk about this today, and you will also learn how fruits, seeds, leaves are processed, what is the significance of the obtained nutrients in cosmetology and the food industry.
Useful properties of apricot for humans and contraindications
Tree home. benefits of apricot
Common apricot and other varieties are grown throughout the European part of the continent and Asia. In large quantities it is in Iran, Uzbekistan and Turkey (the main producers). The birthplace of the useful fruit is still a mystery. It is believed that they were brought from China, according to another version - from Armenia.
Be that as it may, the medicinal properties of apricots are appreciated, and the fruit itself is loved and respected for the content of valuable minerals, pectin, fiber, carotene and try to stock up on vitamins for the future. Does the fetus have any contraindications? We will talk about this at the end of the article.
It is known that apricots have vitamins, useful properties, and unlike peaches, they begin to bear fruit early. Therefore, earlier apricot fruits were called early, and this distinguished them from peaches. People can enjoy the delicious taste of fruit throughout most of the summer. Especially if dried in reserve (dried apricots, apricots). The concentration of vitamins in dried fruits increases, this is a great opportunity to boost immunity in winter and autumn.
It is not in vain that the fruit warmed by the sun loves warm climes and hates any draft, wind and cold. Under the influence of the luminary, he accumulates all the most valuable that a person needs. The Armenian apple is useful for both children and adults. The benefits of apricots during pregnancy are also great: it improves digestion, fights stress, relieves toxicosis, replenishes iodine reserves, ... Everyone needs to eat it in order to prevent diseases, unless there are contraindications.
Composition, benefits and calorie content of apricots
In addition to dietary fiber (2 g), there are many other trace elements in the orange fruit, the presence of which makes it a real home healer. The smallest amount of fat (only 0.1 g) per 100 grams of the product and low calorie content (44 Kcal) make it possible to rank the fruit among the most useful. There are only 9g of carbohydrates per serving, which is very nutritious at such a low calorie content. Therefore, apricots are beneficial for women, children, men and the elderly who want to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
The composition of vitamins and other elements per 100 grams:
- Beta carotene - 16 mg
- Potassium - 305 mg
- Iron - 2.1 mg
- Vitamin C - about 10-12 mg
- Calcium - 13 mg
- Sodium - 1 mg
- Magnesium - 10 mg
- Phosphorus - 23 mg
- Sugar – 5mg to 27mg
In dried fruits, the healing properties of apricots increase 5 times, so you should take this into account and stock up on drying for the winter. We have not yet named vitamins of group B, P and PP, which are present in small quantities in fresh and dried fruit. And also in some quantities there are malic, tartaric and citric acids, starch, inulin, pectin and iodine. By the way, iodine is contained most of all, as the source of Wikipedia assures, it is in Armenian fruits.
The beneficial properties of apricots are that their consumption normalizes the functioning of the intestines, improves mood, hemoglobin in the blood. But that's not all, pectin and fiber, together with processed products, remove toxins from the body, oils rejuvenate. And we will talk about apricot juice below, it contains a special “ingredient”, the benefits of which are difficult to underestimate.
Properties of apricot kernels
The bones contain a special substance - amygdilin, which can have a harmful effect on the body if consumed in an unmeasured amount, as well as hydrocyanic acid. But in cosmetology and medicine, apricot seed oil is the No. 1 remedy for the prevention of dry skin, eczema, and for the youth of the body. Also, the apricot kernel exhibits antihelminthic properties.
Apricot oil. Properties and application
An oil is extracted from apricot kernels, similar in composition to almond and peach oil (oleic and linoleic acids), which in its properties is not inferior to other cosmetics, and also has an antibacterial, antiseptic effect. The benefits of oils found in fruits and seeds are truly unique. Apricot oil exhibits anti-aging properties, so the benefits of apricot for women are fully justified and are successfully used in cosmetology.
Apricot for hair and face, the benefits of which in the content of oils are often used in cosmetology to treat dry skin. Creams, lotions and masks, shampoos and hair rinses, nail plate care products are made on the basis of oil.
Apricot kernels - useful properties and contraindications
"Almonds" from the seeds are also not always useful and have a beneficial effect on the body. The fact is that hydrocyanic acid, produced after human consumption of amygdilin, can cause poisoning. Therefore, even a small dose can send small children to a hospital bed, and adults can eat no more than 20 grams of such almonds.
It’s better not to risk your health, because the apricot seed also has the strongest poison of hydrocyanic acid, which is similar in composition to potassium cyanide. So it is best to roast apricot seeds in a frying pan, the beneficial properties of which are valued, before use, or cook jam with the addition of processed “almonds”. And tasty and healthy!
Useful properties of apricots and contraindications
Apricot is the best fruit for vision
Apricot is an ideal option to strengthen eyesight, because no other fruit contains such an amount of beta-carotene as it contains. The beneficial properties of apricot for humans are that in our body about n is converted into vital vitamin A, which has a beneficial effect on the condition of the eyes, hair, nails, skin and the whole body. Scientists have found that age-related changes that adversely affect the clarity of vision (age-related macular degeneration) can be prevented by eating apricots.
But the opinion that beta-carotene contained in fruits will help to cope with diseases of the thyroid gland and liver has been refuted by doctors. Who claim: often thyroid diseases are associated with low absorption of the vitamin from healthy foods, it is better for such people to use pure vitamin A, prescribed in dosage form.
"Affairs of the Heart" and the treatment of anemia
Pectin and the fibrous structure of the pulp of the fruit is not only a useful thing for the intestines, but also an active component for the removal of toxins, cholesterol. And, as you know, cholesterol, clogging the internal organs and systems, is deposited on the walls of blood vessels, the heart. Eating 2 apricots a day, you are already protecting your heart from the harmful effects of cholesterol.
The advantage of eating orange fruits is that they contain a balanced content of iron and magnesium, the healing properties of apricots are that it helps to strengthen the heart muscle and cleanses the blood. A person recovers much faster if he suffers from anemia and consumes such vitamins.
Treatment and prevention of constipation
Apricots are the best way to cleanse the body of toxins. With constipation, toxins are absorbed into the body, this does not have the best effect on well-being and appearance. Here, the best helper for you is apricot juice with pulp, which has an antibiotic effect on putrefactive bacteria. As well as ordinary apricot and compote from it, which has a laxative effect.
Fruit eliminates fatigue
All orange fruits and vegetables have an extraordinary ability to cheer up, the same applies to apricots. If you want to relieve muscle or nervous tension, it is enough to eat only 100 grams of fruit and fatigue will be removed as if by hand.
All this due to the presence of calcium, which leads the muscles to a relaxed state, and magnesium, which helps to relieve psychological stress, calm the heart rhythm. Magnesium is a unique mineral, it also lowers blood pressure if a person is hypertensive, so its effect is doubled.
Asthma and cough
Doctors say that fresh apricots are best in this case, because dried ones are filled with sulfites. This substance is contraindicated for people with allergic reactions and, on the contrary, can cause an asthma attack in an asthmatic.
But apricot kernels, the beneficial properties of which are unique, are successfully used mainly in the East for the treatment of cough, tracheitis, bronchitis, laryngitis, catarrhs.
Oncological diseases
And again here we will remember about beta-carotene, as well as lycopene - magical components for the immune system, beauty, brain performance, ... In addition, they prevent various cancers, such as cancer of the stomach, throat, lungs. It is enough to consume 150 grams of apricot per day and thus protect yourself from malignant tumors. It's not a panacea, it's a preventative and so tasty too!
Apricot tree bark (decoction) and leaves and drops on the surface of the tree are also useful, which some people cannot refuse to try. A decoction of the bark, for example, is used for circulatory disorders of the brain, after injuries to restore strength. And the beneficial properties of apricot leaves are found in the antibacterial qualities of foliage, gruel from the leaves is applied to wounds.
Healing apricot. Benefits and harms for women
The benefits of apricots for women
The most useful for weight loss are fibrous varieties of apricots, but everyone's favorite "Kolerovka" is actually not so useful. Fibers retain moisture in the body, absorbing it, and saturate the body. You feel full and you don't feel like eating anymore. That is why apricot should be included in the menu, many use "apricot" fasting days, and this is the best choice not only to lose weight, but also to improve health.
Apricot has diuretic properties, therefore it is actively used by women in the fight against edema, as well as in kidney diseases.
Apricots - benefits for pregnant women
It is known that pregnant women often lack vitamins and minerals. You can recharge your batteries if you drink 100-150 grams of apricot juice before meals. The benefits of apricots for pregnant women are manifested in the fact that it relieves morning toxicosis and gives strength . In addition, the juice is very useful for maintaining the beauty of hair and nails, skin elasticity, and preventing stretch marks.
Is it possible to eat apricots during pregnancy, their benefits and harms, what is it? This question is most often asked by mothers who are carrying a child in the summer, of course, it is possible and necessary, only in moderation, for example, a glass of concentrated juice can be taken once a day, or 100-150 grams of fruit instead. If you eat fruits in excess, you can provoke frequent urge to go to the toilet and the intestines will not only be cleaned, but also negatively affect the uterine cavity and the unborn child.
Apricot - the health benefits and harms of a pregnant woman
As we have already said in excess of apricots for pregnant women, there are benefits, but also harm, here are some more warnings for expectant mothers:
- Do not drink apricots with water, this will provoke indigestion;
- If mom is gaining weight quickly, save yourself from an excessive amount of sweets, there is nothing to say about rolls here. But dried apricots are also considered high-calorie food, so you can’t eat them in handfuls;
- With low blood pressure, allergies or asthma, a woman is contraindicated in eating apricots.
Apricot. Useful properties and contraindications
Each product has its own contraindications, and even if it seems that they are the perfect remedy for any disease. As we have already noted, apricots during pregnancy are beneficial for a woman and a child, but pregnant women should eat them with caution. Although an interesting condition is not a disease at all, it is associated with the birth of a new life, which means that food should be healthy.
For children, apricot is good to increase appetite, improve digestion, raise hemoglobin, but in large quantities it can irritate the intestines.
Here are some more contraindications for people with certain diseases:
- Diabetes
- Gastritis and stomach ulcer
- pancreatitis, hepatitis
- irritable bowel syndrome
It is worth remembering, no matter how much benefit is present in the products that nature gives us, eating them more than the norm is harmful to health. Apricots in excess of 500 grams per day is already an excess.
In the midst of the apricot season, it is very important to talk about their benefits and calorie content. Juicy, bright, fragrant apricots appeared on the territory of Europe with the light hand of the great conqueror Alexander the Great. It was he who brought 3,000 seedlings from Armenia to Hellas, from where the sunny fruit spread throughout the continent.
The benefits of apricot for human health are undeniable. The harm is minimal when taking into account a small number of contraindications. In addition, the low calorie content of apricots allows them to be classified as dietary fruits, which are successfully included in many weight loss programs.
Compound
The health benefits of apricots are due to their rich content of vitamins, minerals, tannins, dietary fiber and acids:
- vitamin A normalizes visual function, prevents infectious diseases of the digestive and genitourinary systems. It has a pronounced antitumor and immunostimulating effect;
- B vitamins are responsible for stress resistance, normalize the psycho-emotional state, participate in the synthesis of hemoglobin. Beneficial effect on the skin, nails, hair;
- vitamin C enhances the protective mechanisms of immunity, ensures normal hematopoiesis and iron absorption. Guarantees adequate functioning of the immune system, the normal state of blood vessels and cartilage, protects against the harmful effects of free radicals;
- vitamin E restores the functions of the reproductive, endocrine, nervous, cardiovascular systems. It has a strong antioxidant effect, stimulates the production of natural collagen and elastin, is responsible for the balance of hormones;
- vitamin H starts the processes of processing glucose, regulates the concentration of sugar, relieves insomnia, irritability, increased nervousness. Ensures the beauty of the skin, hair, nails, participates in the synthesis of hemoglobin;
- vitamin PP normalizes the activity of the nervous system and gastrointestinal tract, prevents thrombosis and hypertension. Responsible for the production of female and male sex hormones, insulin, thyroxine, cortisol;
- potassium removes toxins and toxins, coordinates cardiac activity, increases the supply of oxygen to the brain;
- phosphorus increases working capacity and brain activity, restores the functions of the heart and kidneys;
- iodine regulates metabolism, stimulates the functions of cells of the immune system, destroys all unstable viruses and bacteria in the blood. Restores the energy spent during the day, has a calming and relaxing effect, increases efficiency;
- iron participates in the formation of hemoglobin, strengthens the immune system, regulates the thyroid gland;
- magnesium stabilizes the concentration of sugar in the blood, strengthens teeth and bones, removes toxins;
- sodium dilates blood vessels, activates digestive enzymes, facilitates the access of glucose to cells;
- alimentary fiber normalize bowel function, improve microflora, help control appetite. Reduce the concentration of sugar and cholesterol in the blood;
- inulin removes radionuclides and heavy metals, stimulates the growth of bone tissue, increases its density, improves liver function, strengthens the immune system;
- starch accelerates metabolic processes, improves digestion, maintains a normal level of energy. Protects against malignant tumors in the colon, blocks the absorption of toxins into the intestine;
- tannins destroy harmful bacteria, stop inflammation, remove toxic compounds and salts of heavy metals. Strengthen the walls of blood vessels, relieve swelling, accelerate the healing of mucous membranes.
In addition, apricots contain tartaric, malic and citric acid. They remove harmful compounds, toxins, eliminate excess salts. They have a positive effect on the functions of digestion, improve vision, burn carbohydrates, and prevent the appearance of malignant tumors.
What else is the use of apricot
A huge amount of nutrients makes apricots one of the healthiest fruits. However, in order to avoid possible harm to the body, it is advisable to consume no more than 4-6 fruits per day. If you include them in your daily diet, apricots will improve the functioning of many organs and systems.
Do you love apricots?
I am neutral
Fruits are capable of:
- increase hemoglobin levels, normalize blood composition;
- prevent thyroid disease;
- restore the functions of the cardiovascular system, gently reduce high blood pressure, prevent heart pathologies;
- reduce the concentration of cholesterol, stop the deposition of plaques on the vascular walls;
- improve eyesight;
- normalize digestion, get rid of chronic constipation, restore beneficial microflora in the intestines;
- remove toxic compounds and slags;
- improve the functions of the pancreas, liver, gallbladder, kidneys;
- prevent the appearance of malignant neoplasms;
- accelerate sputum discharge with dry cough;
- improve memory, concentration, mental activity;
- improve the functions of the immune and nervous systems.
It is enough for children to eat 1-2 fruits a day to prevent beriberi, strengthen the heart, immunity, increase brain activity and stabilize the nervous system.
If you are struggling with extra pounds, a healthy fruit will be your first assistant. The calorie content of apricot is only 44 kcal per 100 grams of product.
Contraindications apricot
Unfortunately, there is no perfect fruit, and an apricot can bring not only benefits to health, but also harm. To prevent this from happening, make sure that you have no contraindications to eating juicy fruits:
- diabetes;
- increased acidity of the stomach;
- gastritis;
- “Weak” stomach (there is a high probability of diarrhea, which will lead to dehydration);
- hepatitis and malfunctions of the thyroid gland;
- individual intolerance.
If your teeth are too sensitive, be sure to brush them after eating apricots. Otherwise, the next few days will not bring the most pleasant sensations.
If the fruit is abused, diarrhea, dizziness, heart palpitations, and a decrease in blood pressure may occur.
apricot diet
As you remember, the calorie content of apricot is only 44 kcal per 100 grams of product. This makes it one of the top fruits for weight loss. You can arrange an apricot fasting day 1 time in 2 weeks, sit on a 3-day mono-diet (1 time in 2-3 months). A more gentle, but no less effective, option is the apricot weekly diet with the inclusion of dairy products.
So that apricots do not cause harm, but bring the maximum benefit to your health, it is advisable to contact a specialist to make a diet. In general, the product contributes not only to gradual weight loss, but also has a beneficial effect on the entire body:
- removes toxins and toxins that prevent getting rid of extra pounds;
- normalizes the functioning of the digestive system and kidneys, restores the concentration of beneficial bacteria in the intestines;
- speeds up metabolism;
- has a mild laxative effect;
- Helps control appetite and reduce food intake.
It is very important that the sunny fruit cheers up and improves tone. Therefore, you will very easily "survive" the diet. The main thing is not to choose too soft, overripe fruits for consumption. In such apricots, the calorie content may be slightly higher.
In a day, you will be able to lose about 1 kilogram. But the diet should go gradually. After it, you will have to eat only salads and light broth for at least 1 day.
The apricot is an amazing fruit that has tremendous health benefits. But there is also some harm to the body. To avoid serious side effects, you should not exceed the daily allowance (4-6 pieces per day), and exclude contraindications. If you follow the measure, juicy fruits will restore the immune, nervous, digestive and cardiovascular systems. A low-calorie apricot will additionally get rid of a few extra pounds.
Apricots, the health benefits and harms of which are known all over the world, are the favorite seasonal delicacy of “children” of all ages! The leading scientists of the world are still arguing about the homeland of this tree, however, today it is customary to consider Armenia as it. Some Caucasian chronicles testify to this.
About apricots
In the modern world, this bright and fragrant fruit is not grown only on glaciers! Such wide popularity is due to the incredible chemical composition of the pulp and wonderful taste properties! At the same time, you can meet this fruit in stores in three forms at once:
- fresh;
- dry;
- boiled.
Let's take a closer look at the rich chemical composition that gives apricot benefits and harms to human health.
Composition of apricot
Apricot pulp consists of sugar (more than ten percent per hundred grams), tannins, starch, acids (tartaric, malic, citric), pectin and insulin! In addition, the fruits are rich in salts, minerals, trace elements and vitamins, which makes it indispensable for strengthening the body.
Here is just a small list of the actions exerted by these substances:
- minerals and salts - contribute to the restoration of metabolic processes and the nervous system;
- potassium - is able to remove sodium chloride, which is the cause of fluid retention in the body;
- iron - has a beneficial effect on hematopoiesis and fills the blood with oxygen;
- calcium - helps blood to clot;
- magnesium and phosphorus - are able to activate metabolic processes, normalizing the alkaline balance in the intestine and helping to better absorb nutrients;
- iodine - activates the thyroid gland and has a preventive effect on the formation of diseases associated with it (in addition, this element has a lipotropic and anticholesterol effect).
The powerful vitamin composition of apricot pulp is able to effectively fight bad cholesterol and cleanse blood vessels. And also take care of the health of your eye and restore vision. Also, the chemical elements of apricot treat venous insufficiency and atherosclerosis, having a positive effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system, skin quality and the body's defenses!
The benefits of apricots for human health
The health benefits and harms of apricot are usually side by side. However, you should not immediately abandon this fruit, because despite the contraindications that we will consider below, its use can treat many different diseases. Here is some of them:
- cardiovascular diseases and anemia;
- dry cough and fever;
- digestive problems and constipation;
- with diseases of the kidneys and the genitourinary system;
- strong thirst (just one apricot replaces a glass of water!);
- ailments of the liver and gallbladder;
- cancer prevention;
- esophagus treatment.
Useful video:
Every summer we are pleased with the taste and aroma of juicy apricot. Its health benefits and harms are known to many, but they still argue about the origin. Numerous sources call it the birthplace of the Caucasus. The fruit is good in any form: fresh, boiled, dried or frozen. Apricots, the benefits and harms of which we will consider today, have not bypassed any cuisine in the world.
What is an apricot
Apricot fruits have a bright orange or yellow color. Their diameter reaches 45 mm, and the pulp is juicy, without coarse fibers, easily separated from the stone.
Many sellers give out a zherdelu for an apricot. Zherdela and apricot - what is the difference between them? Zherdela is the same apricot, but wild. Differs in the smaller size, sugar content and more dense pulp. Needless to say, this type is much inferior in its taste characteristics, therefore, when buying in unfamiliar places, be careful not to confuse them.
Another apricot-like fruit, medlar also belongs to the Rose family. To taste, it is very similar to an apricot, but with a taste of it with sourness.
When purchasing juicy fruits, remember that an orange fruit that looks like an apricot is not always one. After all, they have significant differences in taste and useful qualities.
Compound
The rich chemical composition of the fruit includes a huge amount of vitamins, minerals and other beneficial substances. Apricot contains starch, sugars, tannins, organic acids: malic, tartaric, citric, insulin and pectin. Trace elements in the composition: sodium, potassium, sulfur, iron, silver and many others. The benefits of apricots in the content of vitamins A, C, E, PP and group B, iodine, dietary fiber, organic water. Each of these substances can have a positive effect on a particular organ or system:
Beneficial features
Here is such a rich chemical composition contains apricot. Its health benefits and harms are nearby, however, to maintain good health, the fruit is indispensable. Their use in any form will have a beneficial effect on the body:
- Due to the high content of iron, they are useful for those who suffer from anemia.
- Helps with fever and dry cough, creates and removes phlegm.
- Relieves constipation.
- Perfectly quenches thirst, recommended to normalize the balance of fluid in the body.
- Relieves pain, normalizes the acidity of the liver and gallbladder.
- Due to the content of carotene in the composition, it prevents cancer. Especially when drinking juice from this fruit.
- Improves memory, increases efficiency and stimulates brain activity.
This is not all the benefits of apricots. It is recommended for people with cardiovascular diseases, diseases of the digestive system and obesity. It has a positive effect on the processes of hematopoiesis and is necessary for kidney diseases, beriberi, anemia. Works well with heavy metal intoxication.
To reduce weight, fight obesity, it is good to eat apricots. The calorie content per 100 grams of this fruit is only 44 kcal. In addition, it restores metabolism, intestinal function, helping to quickly get rid of harmful substances in the body. One hundred grams of pulp per day will help you normalize the stool and get rid of flatulence. Find out how many carbohydrates are in an apricot , usually wanted by dieters. The approximate figure is about 10 g.
Apricots during pregnancy will help restore the water balance in the body, saturate it with vitamins and minerals. Due to the laxative properties, they will solve the delicate problem that so often visits expectant mothers. A frequent ailment of pregnant women - a low level of hemoglobin is also due to the strength of this wonderful fruit. Due to the high content of iron, it prevents the development of anemia. But apricots during breastfeeding are undesirable, as they cause intestinal upset in a child. 
Contraindications and harmful effects
Apricots are a very valuable product in the human diet, but even so, they can be harmful. They are contraindicated in certain diseases: diabetes mellitus due to the considerable sugar content in the composition, reduced thyroid function, hepatitis.
The harm of apricots can be caused by individual intolerance, which is expressed in the development of an allergic reaction.
During pregnancy, this fruit helps to fill the deficiency of vitamins and minerals, but is it possible to eat apricots while breastfeeding? Doctors recommend abandoning them during lactation, as there is a risk of causing indigestion and colic in the baby.
Overeating apricots is also not worth it, since they contain a substance - amygdalin glycoside, which forms an acid, which is a poison. Then you will feel the harm of apricots in full measure: poisoning, indigestion and intestines are possible.
How to use apricot
You can use a healthy orange fruit in any form: fresh, dried, boiled, baked. When dried, it does not lose most of its useful properties. Before use, fresh fruits or dried apricots are thoroughly washed, foreign impurities and stalks are removed.
Apricots are good as a dessert, snack, they are added to cereals, muesli. They make mashed potatoes, jelly, fillings for pies, cook compotes, juices, jams. Dried apricots or dried apricots, which are found on store shelves all year round, can also be used identically to the fresh product.
Apricot juice will be very tasty, fully preserving all the benefits of fresh fruits. Based on it, you can already prepare fruit drinks, jellies, sweet sauces. Even apricot pits are eaten, which will become a valuable source of vitamins and minerals.
You should definitely eat apricots. Their benefits for the body are much higher than the possible harm. A valuable composition will help prevent and get rid of many diseases, just remember the recommended measure per day.
Watch a video on how to freeze apricots for the winter:
Loading...