A healthy lifestyle with adequate dietary intake is associated with reduced health illness. Or you can say, a nutritious quality fruit or vegetable can mitigate diseases. Generally, a person who enjoys fruits in their diet is healthier.

One of the most loved fruits, apricot is slightly tangy-sweet in taste, a yellowish color, round shape fleshy fruit.

The apricot plant belongs to the Rosaceae family and is grown throughout the temperate region, specifically in Asian countries.

Uzbekistan, Iran, Italy, turkey are among the top 4 cultivators of apricots.

Plant part useful for therapeutic application:

Apricots provide nutrients, minerals, essential elements, and soluble fiber to the body. Its most beneficial parts are:

• Apricot oil- it is extracted from seeds & can be used for topical application. It will give you a boost of antioxidants and essential fatty acids. Therefore, they are good for skin inflammation, reduce fine lines, wrinkles & blemishes.
• Apricot leaves- leaves are effective against sore throat & cough. So far, studies testing leaves juice efficency against intestinal parasite infection and vaginal infection are good.
• Apricot fruit– similarly, apricot fruit are also advantegious. A more thorough description of apricot fruit is described below.

How dried apricot is different from raw

Dried apricot-

• Dried apricot’s water content has been removed either naturally or unnaturally. These drying practices are highly advantageous.
• It is readily processed to minimize the loss of fresh fruit and to preserve it. However, these processes are cost-effective.
• Raw apricots are traditionally dried fruit and have relatively higher nutrients with vitamin E, iron, potassium, and vitamin A.
• Dried fruits are taken as an energy-rich food in the Asian region and have many uses in folk medicine for various treatments.

Raw apricot-

Raw apricot is eaten fresh or dried and cooked. The fruits jam are utilized all over the world and also used for flavoring purposes. These are high in water content, vitamin C & carbohydrates.

Nutrients‌ ‌and‌ ‌their‌ ‌level‌:

Apricot, also known as khumani is a composition of all the nutrients.

Per 100 gm of apricot provide:

• 50calories
• Protein
• Fat
• Carbohydrate
• Sugar
• Vitamin K
• Vitamin A
• Fiber
• Vitamin B
• Vitamin E
• Calcium
• Vitamin C
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Potassium
• Sodium

How‌ ‌much‌ ‌is‌ ‌good‌ ‌for‌ ‌health‌ ‌(per‌ ‌day/per‌ ‌diet)‌ ‌

Around the world, Apricot fruit is the oldest, cheap, and has varieties of nutrients for complete wellness. Meanwhile, if you are looking for natural remedies for your health issue, you can include apricot dishes.

Studies suggest that regular consumption of apricot can reduce health risks effectively. Generally, 2, 3 apricot is enough for a day otherwise a handful of dried apricot provides essential nutrients to the body.

Apricot health benefits:

It has been used for therapeutic purposes for centuries in Mediterranean countries.

The herbalist describes apricot as laxative, antispasmodic, antiseptic, antipyretic, antiasthmatic, ophthalmic. Etc. Moreover, Its Kernels are also beneficial in elevating respiratory issues.

Apricots possess commendable nutritional content and health importance. Here is a look at several findings on the health benefits of apricot:

Beneficial in anemia

Apricot is abundant in iron, and iron is responsible for the formation of hemoglobin.

To illustrate, hemoglobin is responsible for transferring oxygen in the blood to other cells. For this, it is necessary to include iron-rich food in the diet.

Aids vision

It is a good source of retinol that helps in increasing vision. Beta-carotene present in it reduces the chances of macular degeneration specifically.

Resolve gastric issue

It is rich in soluble fiber that cleanses the intestine and protects the body from gastric issues, while Apricots purify the blood as they are easily digestible and remove toxins from the blood effectively.

Maintain heart working

Many studies have shown the cardioprotective activity of apricot. Potassium content present in apricot maintains electrolyte levels.

Nowadays, heart risk is arising day by day. In other words, the chief cause of the cardiovascular disease is unhealthy eating. Apricot is potent against decreasing heart risk factor that includes CHD, atherosclerosis, cholesterol, age-related degenerative effects, etc.

As apricot is rich in fiber, it can effectively decrease LDL. Thus, decreases the damage of arterial walls and maintains proper blood flow.

Vitamin A precursor

Apricot is an important dietary source of carotenoids and vitamin A, which shows Possible health importance by providing healthy working of endocrine glands, epithelial covering, eye health, bone development, and many more.

Makes skin glow

The antioxidant present in apricot enhances skin color & gives a natural glow. Additionally, apricots help in the prevention of eczema or skin-related problem.

Aids indigestion.

Apricot is a rich source of fiber, pectin, and cellulose they act as a natural laxative that stimulates the evacuation of bowel moments.

Apricots also contain different phytochemicals and bioactive enzymes, which act as a precursor for gastric and digestive juices to make digestion smooth.

Shows anti-cancerous activity

Several clinical evidence shows the significant effect of seeds kernels in reducing cancer. Apricot is rich in carotenoids as it decreases the oxidative damage of living cells which causes cancerous cells growth.

Strengthen bone

Apricot fruits are undoubtedly rich in calcium & minerals. These are mandatory for healthy bone formation. Consuming 2,3 apricots helps in bone strengthening.

Who should ‌Not‌ ‌‌ ‌Eat‌ ‌It?‌

Apricots contain essential elements, which your body needs to heal from the inside. But certain people should exercise caution. these are:

• People with low BP should avoid apricot.
• Apricot seeds are toxic it may lead to poisoning.
• Excessive intake may cause nausea, vomiting & lower consciousness.

How to have apricot

Apricot occupies a marked place among other fruits due to their nutritional composition and delightful taste. Furthermore, apricot can be a versatile ingredient for your dish due to its tartness and sweet taste.

Usually, you can add apricot in your shake, sausages, dessert, cakes, and many more dishes. Below are a few suggestions of apricot dishes:

• Apricot smoothies
• Almond apricot milk
• Chicken apricot mix salad
• Apricot chutney
• Almond apricot baked oatmeal
• Apricot and dates cookies, apricot cakes
• Apricot muffins, apricot healthy bars