Dried apricots are an extremely nutritious fruit and have many benefits, from improved digestive system to eye health. Here are the benefits of dried apricots in terms of health and nutrition:
Dried Apricots Improve Eye Health with Their Benefits
Apricots have many compounds that are essential for eye health, including vitamins A and E. Vitamin A plays a role in preventing night blindness, which is caused by a lack of light pigments in your eyes, and vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that protects your eyes from free radical damage.
Meanwhile, beta carotene, which gives apricots their yellow-orange color, acts as a precursor to vitamin A. This means your body can convert it into this vitamin. Apricot carotenoids include lutein and zeaxanthin. They are found in the lenses and retinas of your eyes. They also protect against oxidative stress.
Dried Apricots Are Good for Skin Health
Eating apricots benefits your skin. The main causes of wrinkles and skin damage are environmental factors like the sun, pollution, and cigarette smoke. What’s more, research shows a direct link between ultraviolet (UV) light exposure and sunburns and your risk of melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer.
You can combat some of this skin damage with a healthy diet full of antioxidants provided by apricots. Vitamins C and E, both in this fruit, can help your skin. Dried apricot benefits are closely related to these vitamins. Vitamin C, in particular, protects against UV damage and environmental pollutants by neutralizing free radicals. This vitamin also helps form collagen, which gives your skin strength and elasticity. A diet rich in vitamin C can help your skin heal from UV damage and prevent wrinkles.
Among the Benefits of Dried Apricots Are Intestinal Health Effects
Dried apricots, in particular, may improve gut health. For example, one cup (165 grams) of apricots provides 3.3 grams of fibre. That’s 8.6% and 13.2% of the RDI for men and women, respectively. Dried apricots are especially high in soluble fibre, which is important for maintaining healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Fibre also slows food movement through your digestive tract and feeds your beneficial gut bacteria. A healthier gut microbiome has been linked to a lower risk of obesity.
Get High Potassium Nutrition with Dried Apricots
Apricots are high in potassium, a mineral that acts as an electrolyte. It is responsible for sending nerve signals throughout your body and regulating muscle contractions and fluid balance. Potassium works closely with sodium to maintain fluid balance. Thus, adequate intake can help prevent bloating and maintain healthy blood pressure.
One study of 33 people found that a diet rich in potassium significantly lowered blood pressure, along with a 24% lower risk of stroke.
Calorie Value of Dried Apricots
Dried apricots get their benefits from their nutritional value. They are a fruit with high nutritional value. Dried apricots are rich in calories and energy. 100 grams of dried apricots contain approximately 241 calories. However, apricots lose their moisture and shrink as a result of drying. Therefore, they are usually small in size. They are consumed in small portions. This provides advantages in diets. Additionally, dried apricots are rich in other nutrients like fibre, potassium, vitamin C, and iron.