Dried apricots will not be solely a wholesome snack however are additionally tasty and low in energy. Listed here are 7 well being advantages of dried apricots it’s best to know.
Dried fruits are a tasty and simple approach to benefit from the pure goodness of contemporary fruits, even when they’re out of season. Amongst all dried fruits, dried apricots stand out for his or her candy, chewy style and vibrant orange color. They don’t seem to be solely scrumptious but additionally filled with important vitamins that make them a wholesome addition to any weight loss program. Dried apricots are wealthy in nutritional vitamins A and C, potassium, and fibre, all of which assist coronary heart well being, immunity, and digestion. They’re additionally low in fats however excessive in antioxidants, making them an incredible snack possibility. In reality, these dried fruits are additionally good to your pores and skin.
How are dried apricots made?
Apricots are small, orange fruits with a candy, barely tart flavour. They’re wealthy in important nutritional vitamins, antioxidants, and fibre, making them one of many wholesome fruits. These dried fruits are merely contemporary apricots which were dried to take away most of their water content material. This course of concentrates their flavour, making them candy, chewy, and handy for snacking. They could be a bit greater in energy in comparison with contemporary apricot fruits however they keep a lot of the dietary worth of contemporary apricots whereas providing an extended shelf life.
What are the advantages of dried apricots?
Whereas these dried fruits will not be consumed as a lot as different dry fruits, you shouldn’t miss out on them fully. Full of important vitamins, this dry fruit gives these 7 high well being advantages:
1. Low in energy
For these trying to handle their weight or keep a nutritious diet, dried apricots are the most effective dry fruits. Regardless of their candy flavour, as per the US Division of Agriculture, they’re comparatively low in energy, containing 250 energy in 100 grams (20 dried apricots). A handful of this dried fruit is sufficient to curb starvation whereas preserving your calorie consumption in verify. Be sure to don’t overeat, as it may improve your calorie consumption.
2. Wealthy in antioxidants
Dried apricots are a wealthy supply of antioxidants, compounds that assist defend your physique from oxidative stress and injury attributable to free radicals. These free radicals can contribute to the ageing course of and the event of power ailments, equivalent to diabetes, coronary heart illness, and most cancers, as per the research printed within the Vitamins and British Journal of Vitamin. The antioxidants on this dry fruit, together with vitamin C and beta-carotene, assist neutralise these dangerous molecules, selling general well being and longevity.
3. Good for eye well being
Aside from almonds, walnuts, and pistachios, dried apricots are additionally filled with important vitamins for eye well being, together with nutritional vitamins A and E. Vitamin A helps to forestall night time blindness and helps the general operate of the retina, reveals a examine printed within the Journal of Optometry. Moreover, vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant, protects your eye from free radical injury. When consumed recurrently, it might assist decrease the danger of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and maintain your eyes sharp as you age.
4. Maintains wholesome pores and skin
The vitamin C content material in dried apricots performs a key position in pores and skin well being. Vitamin C is a robust antioxidant that helps to advertise collagen manufacturing, a protein answerable for preserving your pores and skin agency and elastic. Collagen is crucial for decreasing the looks of wrinkles and sagging as you age. Moreover, vitamin C helps to guard the pores and skin from injury attributable to dangerous UV rays and environmental pollution, based on a examine printed in Vitamins. Nonetheless, this doesn’t imply you could skip sunscreen.
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5. Improves digestion
They’re a superb supply of dietary fibre, providing 7.5 grams in 100 grams of dried apricots, as per the US Division of Agriculture. Fibre helps to control bowel actions, forestall constipation, and promote the expansion of helpful intestine micro organism. A weight loss program wealthy in fibre additionally helps the absorption of vitamins and contributes to general intestine well being. Plus, fibre is among the important vitamins that helps with weight administration because it retains you feeling full for longer.
6. Loaded with potassium
Potassium is a necessary mineral that helps regulate fluid steadiness, muscle contractions, and nerve operate, states a examine printed within the Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology. Dried apricots are a superb supply of potassium, which might be particularly helpful for sustaining coronary heart well being. Potassium helps to counteract the consequences of sodium within the physique, decreasing the danger of hypertension (BP) and supporting regular coronary heart rhythm. This makes them a heart-healthy snack alternative!
7. Protects liver well being
The liver performs an important position in detoxifying the physique, processing vitamins, and metabolising fat. These dried fruit comprise compounds that assist defend the liver from oxidative stress and irritation, which may result in liver injury over time. A examine printed in Meals and Chemical Toxicology means that apricots could have hepatoprotective properties, that means they can assist scale back the danger of liver ailments like fatty liver illness and cirrhosis. It might probably additionally scale back oxidative injury and promote the detoxing course of.
Each contemporary and dried apricots are extensively accessible and might be eaten on their very own or added to your favorite dishes, sides, or desserts.
What are the negative effects of dried apricots?
These dried fruits are a wholesome snack, however overconsumption can result in sure negative effects. Whereas they don’t normally trigger issues, they could set off digestive points resulting from their excessive fibre content material. They’ll additionally trigger blood sugar spikes as a result of they’re concentrated in pure sugars. Moreover, they’ll result in dental issues if their sticky texture adheres to enamel, and a few folks could expertise allergic reactions. So, be sure to eat this dried fruit sparsely (consuming 1-2 dried apricots) and keep good oral and general well being.
Associated FAQs
Can dried apricots assist with weight reduction?
Dried apricots are low in energy and excessive in fibre, which can assist management starvation by preserving you feeling full for longer. Nonetheless, portion management is crucial, as overeating dried apricots can improve calorie consumption.
How can dried apricots be integrated right into a weight loss program?
Dried apricots might be loved on their very own as a snack, added to path mixes, oatmeal, or yoghurt, or utilized in desserts, salads, and aspect dishes. They’re versatile and simple to pair with many meals for added flavour and diet.
What makes dried apricots helpful for coronary heart well being?
Dried apricots are an incredible supply of potassium, a mineral that regulates fluid steadiness, muscle contractions, and nerve operate. Potassium can counteract the consequences of sodium, decrease blood stress, and keep an everyday heartbeat, selling general coronary heart well being.
When is the very best time to eat dried apricots?
The very best time to eat dried apricots is within the morning as a wholesome snack or pre-workout, or within the afternoon for sustained vitality and digestive assist. Stick with 1-2 dried apricots a day.
