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Apricots Nutrition: Facts
and
Health Benefits
Apricots provide high nutritional
value, this small fruit it bursting with health benefits
including vitamins A, B2, B3, B5 and C, as well as
important minerals such as beta-carotene, lycopene,
iron, calcium, zinc, fibre and potassium. Beta-carotene
is an antioxidant and it assists the body in converting
it into vitamin A, hence why this particular fruit has
high vitamin A content. Lycopene is also an antioxidant
which is believed to prevent the build up of fatty
deposits which can cause blockages to the arteries.
Apricots Nutrition:
Please see the vitamins in fruit page for more
information about the health benefits of vitamins and
how they can help the body to deal with certain
functions. The natural apricot oil which this fruit
contains is very good for the skin as it nourishes it.
The oil of apricots extracted from the kernel can be
used for cooking. The vitamins in this fruit strengthen
the immune system which helps our bodies to ward away illness.
Apricots can also have a positive effect on the nervous
system and assist in reducing mild anxiety and improving
sleep function. |
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Apricots Nutrition: Cancer Benefits of Apricot
Seeds
A subject which is being closely
looked at is whether or not apricot seeds can help
prevent or cure cancer. Laetile, or vitamin B17, can be
extracted from apricots to provide a purported
alternative cancer treatment. It is becoming a
possibility that the seed kernels could
provide a cure for cancer, although further research may
be necessary. The apricot seeds have been used to treat tumors throughout history and the apricot oil has also
been used to assist with swelling, ulcers and tumors. It is
notable that apricots have been successfully used to
treat prostate cancer. |
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Apricots Nutrition: Facts
about Apricots
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Apricots
nutrition: Studies are beginning to reveal that
Apricot seeds may be able to prevent and treat
different types of cancers, in particular prostate
cancer.
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Apricots
nutrition: high in B vitamins and vitamin A and C which are
essential to our health and well-being.
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Dried apricots
nutrition: jammed with nutritional value and health
benefits - they provide a very tasty snack which is
ideal for kids, not just adults!
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Apricot seed
kernels contain a natural oil which is beneficial to
skin health and hair.
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Apricots Nutrition: Carbs and Calories Apricots
Apricots are low in calories and a
little higher in carbs,
and a very good, healthy fruit whether its eaten raw,
fresh, cooked, canned or dried. The amount of calories
in apricots depends on the method the
fruit is served or cooked, for example if the fruit is
served in syrup, obviously it will contain more calories.
This fruit is extremely low in fat. The
following calorie guide can be used to calculate the
amount of apricot calories and carbohydrates:
Nutrition Data:
Calories in Apricots per 100 grams:
Fresh, raw apricots
nutrition: 31
calories / 7.2 carbs in apricots
Canned apricots in juice nutrition: 34 calories / 8.4 carbs in
apricots
Canned apricots in syrup nutrition: 63 calories / 16.1 carbs in
apricots
Dried Apricots nutrition: calories 348 |
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Apricots Nutrition: Facts and Nutrition Information
Apricots are a delicious, healthy fruit which
are small in size, round in shape, with soft velvety
skin which is yellow to orange shades of color
sometimes with a tinge of pink. This fruit is small
so usually more than one can be easily eaten in one
serving. The flesh is very tasty, it is quite firm
but its texture and small amount of juice that it
contains makes this fruit very appealing - it's
quite sweet hence making an excellent choice for
desert recipes - and it is for this reason, plus the health
benefits of apricots, which makes them an excellent fruit
for kids. This is a stone fruit, the
kernel of the stone is edible and is often used for flavoring biscuits and jams.
The well known amaretto liquor comes from the
apricot kernel. Many kernels are very sweet so often
apricot seeds can be used as substitute for almonds.
Apricots Nutrition: History of Apricots
Apricots date back thousands of years
where they are believed to have first appeared, growing
wild, in China. The history of this fruit was certainly
prominent throughout Asia and the near East. They were
introduced to Persia and Armenia, and this is where the
fruit received its Latin name Prunus armeniaca. Southern
Europe was introduced to apricots by the famous
explorer, Alexander the Great. This healthy fruit was
first grown in Northern Europe during the 16th Century.
The Romans and the Greeks nicknamed the fruit 'golden
eggs of the sun.' This is a delicious fruit which can be
eaten either fresh or dried, cooked or raw. Due to the
delicacy of the apricot, drying them preserves the
overall health of the fruit
and the vast benefits it provides. Apricots are grown on
trees, Turkey takes the lead when it comes to growing
this fruit as they produce the richest and best
apricots.
Apricots Nutrition: Picking and Storing
Apricots to Maintain Vitamins and
Nutrition
Apricots should be kept at room
temperature or in a polythene bag in the refrigerator.
They do not keep for as long as some other fruits so
they should be eaten within 3-5 days after purchase.
This particular fruit doesn't continue to ripen after
its being picked as many others do. When choosing
apricots, ensure that the skin looks healthy, it should
be smooth and appear unblemished. This type of fruit is
very delicate so it can become damaged easily during
transportation, therefore, it's important to pick out the
best ones.
Dried
Apricots Nutrition:
Benefits,
Health and Nutrition
Dried apricots are also a great
option as this fruit is sensitive to bruising and
damage. Drying the apricots will ensure that it keeps its
benefits and at the same time, provide a few more
additional ones! The benefits of dried apricots
nutrition include their iron content which they
supply and also produce haemoglobin. Apricots can really
benefit people with anaemia. This fresh or dry fruit can
also positively assist problems relating to the
respiratory tract or infections in general, as its
vitamins and minerals can speed up the healing process.
Dried apricots have a wonderful sweet taste, they make a
filling snack which is full of goodness, another variety
that is ideal for children. This particular type can be
used to substitute fresh apricots, it's great for
many apricot recipes including jams, casseroles and stews. If you are using dried
apricots in desert recipes, allow them to soak for a few
hours first in warm water.
Canned Apricots
Nutrition: Benefits, Health and Nutrition
Canned apricots are very similar to
the dried variety because their natural benefits are
retained. Of course apricots taste very differently but they
are equally as sweet and healthy, crammed with
nutritional value and ready to eat without having
to remove the stone. This type makes a very nice
addition to a fruit salad. |
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Apricots Nutrition: Preparing Apricots for
Cooking
Apricots can
be eaten raw or cooked, either way is delicious. This
fruit survives the cooking process well as the skin is dry so the flesh doesn't
disintegrate as quickly or easily as with many other foods.
Ideal apricot recipes may include jams, amaretto,
biscuits, fruit salads, tarts, Danish pastries, flans,
yogurt, crumble and conserves.
Apricots Nutrition:
Apricots can be baked,
caramelized or even poached in syrup or sweet white
wine. North American and Middle Eastern recipes often
use apricots, both dried and fresh varieties of apricots which they
use not only in desert recipes but various rice, poultry
and lamb dishes. |
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Health
experts and nutritionists believe that a well-balanced
diet that includes at least five portions of fruit and
vegetables per day will help to considerably improve our
lifestyles and ultimately extend our lives |
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