Dried apricots are traditional, dried fruits. In addition to being high in potassium and fibre, they also contain significant amounts of beta-carotene.
So are dried apricots healthy? Read on to find out! Listed below are some reasons why dried apricots are healthy:
Contains beta-carotene
Eating food rich in beta-carotene can help you keep your eyes healthy and help you prevent eye diseases. This vitamin is particularly important for pregnant women, as it helps reduce the risk of night blindness and other complications.
Studies have also shown that beta-carotene helps prevent the development of new moles on the skin. It also helps protect against long-term liver disease and is protective against the effects of certain diseases.
Beta-carotene is fat-soluble, meaning that it needs three to five grams of fat to be properly absorbed. In addition, carotenoids suspended in oil are more easily absorbed than their water-soluble counterparts.
The National Institutes of Health recommends consuming at least 900 micrograms (mcg) of beta-carotene daily, but the recommended dosage varies for different ages.
Children aged nine to 13 years and infants are recommended to consume at least 600 mcg per day.
Vitamin A is an important antioxidant that protects your body from free radicals. Beta-carotene improves the expression of the connexin gene, which forms pores between cells.
The presence of connexin proteins in the body helps them communicate with each other through small molecules. The body also requires vitamin A, which is produced by beta-carotene. Vitamin A is essential for healthy skin and mucus membranes.
High in potassium
High in potassium and magnesium, dried apricots are an excellent source of the nutrients needed for heart health. Studies have shown that potassium can reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.
Other sources of potassium and magnesium include milk, bananas, orange juice, and dietary supplements.
However, these sources can’t replace your daily allowance of these nutrients. Dried apricots can still help you stay on track when it comes to boosting your heart health.
In addition to being high in potassium and magnesium, apricots are also rich in fiber. One serving of dried apricots contains about 25-30 grams of carbohydrates, making them a healthy choice for people looking to keep their blood sugar levels under control.
Because dried fruit has similar sugar content to fresh apricot halves, a serving size of dried apricots will not make you gain weight. Weight gain can have negative effects on your cardiovascular system, blood pressure, and diabetes.
Tomatoes, bananas, and apricots are other fruit and vegetable sources of potassium. One cup of tomato puree has about 689 milligrams of potassium. A quarter cup of concentrated tomato paste has a similar amount of potassium.
Other potassium-rich foods include lentils and plantains. For example, a medium banana contains 422 milligrams of potassium.
Good source of vitamin A
Dried apricots are an excellent source of Vitamin A, an essential nutrient for healthy vision. Their high vitamin A content makes them a healthy snack for anyone looking to improve their vision.
Additionally, apricots are high in dietary fiber, which aids digestion and boosts metabolism. They are an ideal diet snack for people on a low-calorie diet because they don’t contribute unnecessary calories to your diet.
However, before eating dried apricots, make sure to rinse your mouth with water, as they contain more sugar and may affect your dental health.
Although apricots contain high amounts of vitamin A, they’re not as high in fiber as other fruits and vegetables.
However, apricots contain a significant amount of iron, which helps maintain healthy blood. The presence of iron is especially important for pregnant women, as they need more iron than others.
Those who suffer from diabetes should avoid dried apricots altogether, but fresh apricots are the most suitable choice for diabetics.
Unlike vitamin A, vitamin C cannot be stored in the body. Instead, it helps protect cells. It also helps maintain connective tissues, such as skin, cartilage, and bones. Vitamin C is also an effective antioxidant, and apricots contain non-heme iron.
These antioxidants help the body absorb iron. That’s great news for people with a weakened immune system.
High in fibre
Dried apricots are a healthy snack option. With 4.7 grams of fibre per 1/2 cup, these apricots are an excellent addition to salads, chicken or pork dishes, pilaf, salsa, muffins, and more.
They can even be eaten as a dessert. Whether eaten fresh or dried, they are a delicious way to boost your fiber intake without compromising on taste.
Apart from being high in fiber, apricots also contain Vitamin C, a nutrient that cannot be stored in the body. They help in protecting cells and play an important role in the production of collagen, which is essential for the maintenance of bones, cartilage, and skin.
Apart from these important benefits, vitamin C is also known to aid the absorption of iron, a mineral found in apricots.
Dried apricots are high in vitamin C and iron, and they can help prevent anemia. They can also help in controlling high blood pressure, regulating heartbeat, and improving digestion.
They are also a good source of Vitamin K, which helps in blood clotting and prevents excessive bleeding. For all these reasons, dried apricots are a healthy snack for any health-conscious individual.
Easily available and affordable too
Helps with weight management
Dried apricots are a good source of potassium, a mineral that helps regulate fluid balance. It is also important for the body’s health, as it helps regulate nerve signals and muscle contractions.
In addition to their potassium content, dried apricots contain 2 grams of dietary fiber per 100 grams, which helps slow the movement of food through the digestive tract.
This also helps feed the healthy bacteria in the gut.
In addition to their high fiber content, dried apricots are loaded with micronutrients. These are tiny molecules that are involved in all aspects of your health, including weight management.
They also contain antioxidants, which help the body cope with oxidative damage and are linked to weight management. As for fiber content, apricots are a good source of it, which also helps control cravings.
Because dried apricots lose their laxative effect during the drying process, their laxative effects are gone. However, they are still a good snack, as they will keep you feeling full longer.
It’s important to control your intake of carbohydrates, so dried apricots can help you lose weight by keeping you satiated for longer. The fiber in apricots also fights disease.
Good source of iron
Dried apricots are a traditional source of iron. They are dried with sulfur dioxide, a chemical that preserves the color. Dried apricots with higher sulfur dioxide content are lighter in color.
While apricots in their natural state have an abundance of iron, the oxidation process adds more sulfur dioxide. So, how can you determine if dried apricots are high in iron?
Dried apricots contain non-heme iron. This is the type of iron that is not found in animal foods. A half cup serving of dried apricots contains 3.7 mg of non-heme iron.
Dried apricots also contain vitamin A and B carotene, which promote eye health and prevent cataracts. Dried apricots also contain soluble fibers, which lower cholesterol.
Dried apricots contain iron, which is an essential component of red blood cells and immune system cell growth. Iron also supports the normal development of the fetus, boosting the energy of pregnant women and restoring their vitality.
Furthermore, iron helps in the development of the child in the womb and in the days after birth, promoting brain health and normal cognitive development. So, eating apricots regularly can benefit the health of your child.
Laxative for the digestive tract
Dried apricots are an excellent source of dietary fiber. Fiber helps move waste through the digestive tract, increasing the bulk of the stool and facilitating passage.
It also plays several important roles in the body, including controlling blood glucose levels and improving the digestive system’s function. Dried apricots are a good source of fiber, with 9.5 grams of fiber per serving.
The digestive system can absorb three times their volume in water when eaten dried. Because dried apricots are dense, they are hard to digest.
Gastric juices cannot reach the dried fruit, and the high sugar content can cause bloating, fermentation, and gas.
Hence, dry apricots are not recommended for people with bloating or acid reflux.
Besides being an excellent source of dietary fiber, apricots also contain potassium and copper. Moreover, apricots contain a high concentration of dietary fibers.
Dietary fiber, also known as roughage, is a part of plant food that is not easily digested.
Unlike other forms of fiber, soluble fiber adds bulk to stools and facilitates rapid passage through the digestive tract.
