Apricot : Health Benefits

The apricot is often overlooked in favor of other common fruits such as the apple, pear, orange or banana. But the apricot is just as healthy as those other fruits, in some cases even healthier. Aside from the many health benefits of the apricot, it is also a wonderful diet food, providing a large amount of healthful nutrition to the body as well as keeping down caloric intake, as they are very low in calories as compared to other fruits.

There are a lot of benefits we can get from apricot fruit. In Latin, apricot called plum Armenia. According to research, Apricot contains beta carotene. These antioxidants can help prevent heart attack, reduce the level of bad cholesterol in the body, and reduce the risk of cancer. Additionally, apricot seeds nutritious to strengthen the respiratory system so as to reduce cough and asthma.

Apricots also have a relatively high content of fiber can be used as a reliever as diarrhea or constipation. Although small, fresh apricots is perfect for low-fat diet because it's fiber, particularly soluble fiber, and absorb water, thus contributing to a feeling of fullness. The fragrant aroma of apricots makes dieting so fun. While in China, the fruit is commonly used to help regenerate body fluids, detoxifying, and relieving thirst.

Apricots are available in fresh and dried forms. Both are nutritious and offers a variety of health benefits. Dried apricots are considered to have higher health benefits than the fresh form. This is due to the nutrients are more concentrated in dried apricots. However, dried apricots tend to contain preservatives that may not favored some people.

Here are the health benefits of apricots:

1. Overcoming constipation

High fiber content makes apricot is often recommended to treat constipation. In addition, this fruit can also help digestion and destroys intestinal worms.

2. Benefits for the eyes

The high levels of beta carotene in apricots, useful improve eye health, especially in preventing macular degeneration. Beta carotene is a powerful antioxidant that can protect the body from many health problems such as Alzheimer's disease.

3. Prevent cancer and heart disease

Apricots are rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C and lycopene. These antioxidants may reduce the risk of some cancers and heart disease.

4. Treating anemia

Apricot is rich source of iron. It plays important role in the formation of blood. Thus it improves blood flow and thus increases energy flow. If we do not get enough iron in our daily diet then, we are risk to get anemia. So food rich in iron proves beneficial to prevent anemia.

5. Relieve asthma

Apricots health benefits including its ability to relieve symptoms of asthma, tuberculosis, and bronchitis.

6. Skin health

Apricot oil was found effective in skin care. In addition to making your skin glow and smooth, apricot oil is also able to treat scabies and eczema. Apricot oil is also said to be good for sore ears.

7. Cancer

Apricots are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are proved to protect body from free radicals. Free radicals are produced in body due to pollution  UV rays and smoke. These free radicals interfere in the normal process of cell growth. It brings unusual changes in DNA of the cells. Due to this cancer cells are produced.  American society states that food rich in Vitamin C helps to reduce risk of lungs, esophagus larynx. As apricots are rich in antioxidants it is effective to reduce risk of many cancers.

8. Weight loss

Apricot is rich in dietary fiber and also it is low calorie fruit. So it proves beneficial to lose weight.

9. Asthma

Apricot is proved beneficial in treating asthma.

10. Bone

 Apricot is rich in calcium which is important in formation and development of bone. So it is beneficial from any bone related problems.

11. Electrolyte: Apricot contains potassium and sodium which are required to maintain electrolyte level in balance. Electrolyte is important for transportation of ions to every cells of body. Also it maintains fluid level which is important for muscle contraction. So potassium and sodium plays important role in maintaining electrolyte level.