Apricots

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Apricots are small, golden, orange fruits, with a soft and velvety smooth surface, not too juicy, but definitely sweet. Apricots are one of the most anticipated fruits in the summer. The golden-orange color and the velvety skin make the apricot irresistible.

Apricots originate from China, but are also transported to Europe through Armenia, which is why their scientific name is Prunus armenaica. Apricot trees were brought to Virginia in 1720, and Spanish missionaries distributed them in California in 1792. The climate there is perfectly suitable for apricot crops, so the main harvest of apricots in the United States is from the sunny gardens of California.

Composition of apricots

Apricots are an excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber, potassium and tryptophan. They contain enviable amounts of B vitamins, E and PP. They are rich in carbohydrates, most of which are pectin and easily digestible sugars - fructose, glucose and maltose.

Apricots contain phytochemicals called carotenoids - compounds that give red, orange and yellow colors to fruits and vegetables. The powerful antioxidant lycopene is one of the carotenoids found in apricots. One apricot contains 16.8 calories, 0.49 g protein and 1 milligram cholesterol.

Selection and storage of apricots

The apricot season is from May to August. In winter, they are imported from South America. When the choice of apricots you should look for fruits with a rich orange color, avoiding those that are pale and yellow. Apricots should also be slightly softened. To be the best antioxidants, you need to choose fully ripe fruit. Avoid apricots with too soft spots and brown spots, because these are signs of contempt.

Store apricots for up to 2-3 days at room temperature, in a dark, dry and cool room you can store them for up to 3 weeks.

Culinary use of apricots

Apricots can be consumed both as fresh fruit and dried or used to make sweets and jam. The fruits can also be distilled to make brandy and liqueur. Apricot fruit nectar is one of the most delicious. Apricots are part of many creams. They are used for decoration, and to preserve them in the winter they are prepared on compote.

The essential oils of the seeds are sold commercially as bitter almond oil. Turkey, Italy, Russia, Spain, Greece, the United States and France are the leading producers of apricots.

C apricots you can prepare very tasty recipes. See some: Pork tenderloin with apricots, Juicy vegan cake with apricots, Biscuit cake with apricots, Homemade iced tea with peaches and apricots, Roll with apricots and sour cream, Apricot syrup, Cake with ricotta and apricots, Cocoa cake with apricots, compote with junk and apricots and many others.

Benefits of apricots

The nutrients contained in apricots can help maintain heart and eye health. Consumption of three or more apricots a day reduces the risk of age-related macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is one of the main causes of vision loss in the elderly. Vitamin A, found in abundance in apricots, is a good antioxidant that promotes good vision and protects against free radicals.

The high concentration of beta-carotene and lycopene in apricots makes them extremely important for heart health food. They protect LDL cholesterol from oxidation, which can help prevent heart disease. Carotenoids and lycopene also significantly reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer. Only a handful of apricots contain the recommended daily dose of beta carotene needed by our body.

Apricots contain also nutrients such as vitamin A, which promote good vision. Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals and cell and tissue damage. Free radicals can damage the lens of the eye.

Apricots are also a good source of fiber, which helps improve digestion. Apricot is ideal against constipation and in disorders of the digestive system such as diverticulosis. Eat dried apricots for constipation because they contain more fiber than fresh and in this case are more useful for constipation. Apricot is also known as a powerful helper against worms.

The endless list of ingredients and benefits of apricots can be extended, and it is not surprising that dried apricots were number one on NASA's astronaut's supply list.

Potassium in apricots is a very important mineral for the overall health of the body. Helps balance body fluids - helps against fluid retention and at the same time prevents dehydration.

Apricot kernels are also very useful. In terms of nutritional composition and nutrients, they are close to almonds. Apricot kernels are used in folk medicine to relieve laryngitis, bronchitis and some other diseases of the respiratory system.

Dried apricots are also extremely useful. One a handful of dried apricots has 5 times higher nutritional content than a large fresh apricot. They can eat between meals to create a feeling of satiety, thus avoiding unhealthy snacks and snacks. They support digestion and are very useful for the intestines and stomach. They contain huge amounts of beta carotene, which makes them extremely healthy.

Dried apricots have a very good antibacterial effect, which is why they help detoxify the body. Protect against free radicals that damage the skin, slow down the aging process.

Harm from apricots

Dried apricots that are commercially produced may have been treated with sulfur dioxide. They are treated with sulfur to extend their shelf life, as it is a type of preservative that prevents oxidation and bleaching of flowers. Sulfur can cause acute reactions in people with asthma.

Apricots are not recommended for people who suffer from diabetes, decreased thyroid function and liver disease.

Beautification with apricots

Apart from being a tasty and useful fruit, apricots are also widely used in cosmetics. Cosmetic masks with apricots have a beneficial effect on the skin - they refresh it and rejuvenate it. Apricot kernel oil is also used in cosmetic masks that smooth wrinkles.

You can make your own apricot cream. To do this, melt 2 tbsp. almond oil, 2 tbsp. lanolin and 1 tbsp. apricot kernel oil. Mix everything and add 3 tbsp. lemon juice.

Diet with apricots

Summer is a season with a huge wealth of fruits, and apricots are one of the most delicious ways to replenish your body with nutrients and vitamins, why not lose weight. Apricots are an excellent source of dietary fiber, thanks to which their consumption regulates peristalsis and aids digestion.

If you want to make an unloading regime with apricots, you can bet on one day a week, in which you consume only fresh apricots, water and unsweetened tea. If you want to lose a few extra pounds, continue the unloading regime for 2-3 days. The apricot diet is characterized by low fat and carbohydrate content, which facilitates the digestive system and promotes weight loss. At the same time it replenishes the body with useful vitamins, minerals and fiber.

The diet is very easy to follow. 1-1.5 kg of apricots are consumed per day, divided into several doses - preferably 4-5. Drink plenty of water, green tea or herbal tea of your choice. In the absence of energy and excessive fatigue, you can eat honey or bee pollen.

It is good to do the diet with apricots on the weekend, when the body is not overly active and at the same time will avoid the heavy meals typical of the weekend.

One can be done each week unloading day with apricots, but the diet for 2-3 days can be followed once a month. It should not be observed by pregnant women and people with severe chronic diseases.