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Introduction
*The apricot is the fruit of the tree, Prunus armeniaca.
*Apricots are small, yellowish orange fruits with a red tinge on one side, and look very similar to peaches.
*The skin of the fruit is thin and velvety, flesh is yellowish orange, smooth and moderately sweet, with a musky flavor and a hard stone at the centre.
*Apricots are believed to have been originated in Central Asia and China.
*Buying and storage: Select fruits that are firm, fully ripe, slightly soft and rich orange in color. Keep well for up to 3-4 days at room temperature. To store, place in a plastic bag and refrigerate, where they keep well for over 2 weeks.
Is it raw?
Yes and No.
*Yes, fresh apricots are raw.
*No, dried apricots are processed with sulfur to retain the bright orange color. Dried apricots that are not bright orange in color and slightly brownish are not treated with sulfur.
Health Benefits
1. Apricots are low in calories, fat and sodium.
2. They are rich sources of beta-carotene, Vitamin C and antioxidants.
3. Vitamin C, a natural water soluble antioxidant, has the following important functions in the human body -
- Enhances the immunity against infections
- Maintains the elasticity of blood vessels and thus lowers the risk of atherosclerosis
- Maintains the elasticity of skin, keeps it soft and supple and prevents bruising
- Repairs the skin and other tissues
- Increases the absorption of iron from the intestines
- Improves would healing
- Prevents the formation of clots in the blood
- Reduces the risk of cancer
- As an antioxidant, fights against the free radicals that damage our cells, reduces the risk of heart diseases, cancer and other degenerative diseases
4. The beta-carotene, a precursor of Vitamin A, and lycopene are the phytonutrients that are important to maintain a healthy heart, by protecting LDL cholesterol from oxidation.
5. Vitamins A, C, and E together act as natural antioxidants that scavenge the free radicals that oxidize fats, preserve the integrity of cell membranes, and protects our body from inflammatory and degenerative diseases.
6. Vitamin A promotes good vision, and also reduces the risk of cataract formation and other eye diseases. It also fights against acne, and results in smooth radiant skin.
7. Good source of minerals like calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc and manganese which play a very important role in maintaining proper metabolic activities of the body.
8. Low sodium and high potassium help maintain normal blood pressure and reduces the risk of hypertension.
9. Moderate but significant amounts of niacin, Vitamin B6 and folic acid that are essential for the body.
10. Good source of dietary fiber. It adds roughage to the contents of the intestines, promotes satiety, promotes the health of the colon, and also helps in relieving constipation, hemorrhoids, diverticular disorders, etc.
11. Apricots have a mild laxative property and so are also used to relieve constipation.
12. Apricot seeds have been used to treat cancer and other tumors for centuries.
13. They are also believed to destroy the intestinal worms, and remove gallstones.
14. Apricots eaten before meals aid digestion.
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