Both dried and fresh apricots are an excellent source of nutrition for our bodies and health. There are benefits to having dried apricots over fresh ones, but these are mainly due to their extended shelf life, offering a nutrient dense snack while on the go. Drying the fruit helps to concentrate the nutrients as well as the sugars, so there are benefits to eating fresh apricots with more fibre content than the dried ones which keep much longer.
Did you know that Apricots are a member of the rose family?
Dried apricots contain Boron, a natural trace mineral and this may help with overall bone health, bone healing and bone metabolism. Dried apricots are also a rich source of potassium and this mineral has been linked to promoting a healthy blood pressure. In fact a deficiency in potassium in our bodies can lead to fatigue, irritability and high blood pressure. Potassium is also known to help regulate nerve signals and muscle contractions in the body.
Apricots have been cultivated for around 4000 years
As well as being a fat soluble form of fibre apricots are rich in vitamin A and C, making them a natural source of antioxidants, which help to eradicate free radicals that damage our skin cells. These vitamins, along with phytonutrients help to slow down the ageing process, helping you to look younger for longer.
The average lifespan of an apricot tree is 15 - 20 years.
Apricots are a rich source of vitamin A, E and Beta Corotene, these nutrients play an important role in eye health. Carotenoids, which are found within apricots can help to reduce oxidative stress on the retinas and lenses of our eyes, which means apricots have a role to play in promoting excellent eye health, even as we age.
During the 17th-century, apricot oil was used to treat tumours, ulcers, and swellings.
Apricots are a rich source of antioxidants, including Beta Carotene, vitamin A, C and E, alongside these there is a group of antioxidants called flavonoids which have been linked with illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes, with the antioxidants found in apricots known to have a beneficial effect.
Apricot seeds contain a toxic chemical known as amygdalin, which is also known as Laetrile. In 2011, a systematic review deduced that claims that amygdalin and Laetrile found in high concentration in apricots have a medicinal benefit to cancer patients were true.