Aprikot ( Jardalu / Khubani)

Dried apricots: Consuming these non-native fruits help reduce the risk of developing fatty liver disease. Their high vitamin A content also improves eyesight. Apricots not only help reduce the risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) but also help cure it. Also, they help fight inflammation and improve digestion. Apart from fighting  anemia they also  reduce the risk of heart disease.

Apricots are a good source of dietary fiber. This overall fiber content should be helpful for most people in supporting digestive health. Within the total dietary fiber provided by apricots, about half consists of soluble fiber. Soluble fiber is one type of fiber that can help to control blood cholesterol levels.

Health Benefits Of Apricot

Apricots are as healthy as any other fruits like apples, pears, oranges or bananas. Besides, they can be excellent diet food as they are extremely low in calories and high in antioxidants and dietary fiber. Both fresh and dried apricots are equally beneficial due to their dense nutrient content.

Here are apricot health benefits.

1. Anti-Cancer : Apricots are rich in antioxidants which protect our bodies from free radicals and damage to cells. Free radicals are produced within the body due to pollution, UV rays and smoke. They hinder the normal process of cell growth, bringing about changes in DNA of the cells. This leads to the formation of cancer cells. Apricots are rich in vitamins A and C which are powerful antioxidants that fight cancer diseases and boost the immune system. Moreover, apricot seeds contain a compound called B17 that can fight cancer.

2. Remedy For Constipation: Apricots contain high amounts of pectin and cellulose that act as a mild laxative, thus helping in the treatment of constipation. Apricots are high in fiber. which is vital for colon health and prevents constipation that might cause colon cancer. Fibers are also great for digestion and help balance the body’s metabolism.

3. Heart Health: Apricots reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease as they are rich in antioxidants like vitamin C and lycopene. These antioxidants reduce bad cholesterol (LDL), thus minimizing the risk of heart attack and improving heart health.

4. Treatment Of Anemia: Apricot is a rich source of iron that plays an important role in the formation of blood, thus improving blood flow and energy flow. Deficiency of iron can cause anemia. Besides, apricot also contains small amounts of copper that enables the body to absorb iron. Thus, prolonged consumption of apricots helps in the production of hemoglobin which is very useful, particularly for women with heavy flow.

5. Aids In Weight Loss : Apricots are rich in dietary fiber, and low in calories. This makes them a suitable addition to our weight loss program.

6. Beneficial For Eyes: Apricot is rich in vitamins A, C and E as well as carotenoids that reduce the risk of eye vision problems. Thus, they improve eye health and prevent macular degeneration.

7. Relieves Asthma : Apricots have proved to be beneficial in relieving symptoms of asthma, tuberculosis, and bronchitis.

8. Bone Health : Apricots are rich in calcium which is vital for the formation and development of bones. Thus, eating apricots helps in maintaining bone health and prevents bone related problems.

9. Relieves Fever : Apricots are beneficial during fever. You can prepare a liquid with apricot and water, and dilute it with a little honey. This will relieve thirst, fever and clean the system besides adding vitamins and minerals to the body.

10. Beneficial In Pregnancy: Apricots are particularly beneficial for pregnant women as they contain vitamins A, C and E as well as minerals like phosphorus, silicon, calcium, iron and potassium. Pregnant women are often advised to consume dried apricots as they have a high iron content which is important for pregnant women to prevent anemia.

11. Maintains Electrolyte Balance : Apricots contain minerals like potassium and sodium which are vital for maintaining the balance of electrolyte levels. This is important for transportation of ions to every cells of the body. It also maintains fluid level which is important for muscle contraction. Thus, potassium and sodium help in maintaining electrolyte level.

12. Provides Vitamin B17 : Apricot oil contains Vitamin B17 that is present in the seeds of the fruit (1). This nutrient may help in the prevention of cancer; bone, cervical and skin cancers can be prevented with the help of this wonderful oil. Vitamin B17 is also helpful to lower and maintain blood pressure.

13. Relieves Arthritis : As mentioned earlier, apricot oil has anti-inflammatory properties (2). This makes it highly effective in reducing symptoms of arthritis. It also helps in relieving pain and soothes the affected areas.

14. Fights Colds And Flu : The natural properties that apricot oil contains help strengthen the immune system. This, in turn, helps your body in fighting cold and flu. As it maintains and supports the immune system, your body is protected from a number of different illnesses as well.

Skin Benefits of Apricots

Apricots are excellent sources of B vitamins, vitamin A, vitamin C and lycopene which make them beneficial for your skin.

15. Heals Damaged Skin : Apricot oil is obtained from the dried seeds of the fruit. Its skin softening effects can be attributed to its high content of vitamin C. This oil can treat a variety of skin conditions without making your skin oily. It is an excellent moisturizer for hair, face and hands and can cure damaged skin without undesirable side effects.

16. Reduces Wrinkles : A scrub prepared from apricot kernels helps in getting rid of the old, dead skin cells on the surface of your skin and enables new skin cells to re-grow. This exfoliating action helps in getting rid of fine lines and small wrinkles by eliminating the damaged surface cells from the skin.

17. Maintains Skin Elasticity : Apricot oil helps in maintaining skin clarity, suppleness, and elasticity. It can be used with other fruit oils as a facial mask to soften your skin. It is often used in aromatherapy massage due to its revitalizing and nourishing effects on the skin. Being very mild natural oil, it is used in baby products.

18. Removes Blackheads : Apricot scrub deep cleanses the skin by removing dead skin cells and blackheads as well as unclogging pores. Thus, it keeps the skin smooth and radiant by stimulating fresh cell growth.

19. Treatment Of Skin Disorders : Being rich in vitamins C and A, apricot oil is great for sensitive skin. Its anti-inflammatory properties are effective for treatment of skin disorders like dermatitis and eczema. Apricot oil in combination with other essential oils has a soothing effect on skin disorders. However, it is advisable to consult a doctor before using it to avoid any adverse side effects. The flesh of apricots is beneficial in clearing acne. You can blend the leaves of apricot in a blender to get its juice. Applying it topically helps to get rid of itching caused by sunburn, eczema, and scabies.

20. Removes Blemishes : Apricot oil has proven to be useful in keeping premature signs of aging at bay. Apricot facial masks can be effective in eliminating skin blemishes without any side effects whatsoever.

21. Skin Moisturizer : Apricot oil is great for dry, irritated skin because of its high content of essential fatty acids and vitamin A. Its moisturizing properties keep your skin cells hydrated and counteract any drying effects associated with exfoliating your skin, thus providing you with a healthier and softer skin surface.

22. Improves Skin Tone : Apricot scrubs can help in improving your skin tone by exfoliating the damaged skin cells. Thus, they prevent pigmentation to reveal the newer and lighter skin cells beneath.

23. Nourishes Skin : Apricot oil is rich in GLA, or Gamma Linoleic Acid, which helps in maintaining the balance of moisture in your skin. This beneficial acid is also helpful in keeping your skin toned and firm. The vitamins A and E that the oil contains also delay the signs of aging as they help in keeping it well-nourished. Apricot oil also has anti-inflammatory properties that make it effective in treating and soothing skin conditions like eczema. It also has antioxidant properties that help fight the damage caused by free radicals.

24. Exfoliates Skin : You can use apricot oil with sugar to make a superb scrub for your face and body. This will make an excellent exfoliant, removing dead skin cells as well as giving you smooth and soft skin (4). When you use apricot oil as an ingredient for a scrub, you make sure that your skin is deeply cleansed, and all impurities are removed from your skin. As a scrub, it helps in removing blackheads and unclogging pores. This will leave you with radiant skin that glows with health as it stimulates the growth of new skin cells.

25. Scrubs : As mentioned earlier, apricot oil makes a great ingredient for a DIY scrub . All you need to do is mix it with sugar for a fantastic scrub that exfoliates your skin. Use it regularly before you shower, and your skin will definitely thank you for it.

26. Soaps : Apricot oil is used a lot in soaps, and you can use it to make your own DIY soap at home. It can be used with other oils such as olive, coconut or almond oils to give it extra richness. By using it as an ingredient for a natural homemade soap, you give your skin all the benefits that it has to offer. It has a nice nutty scent that is not overpowering. You can also use it with essential oils such as lavender essential oil, lemon essential oil or jasmine essential oil as they are good carrier oils.

Hair Benefits Of Apricot

The wide array of nutrients in apricots makes them beneficial for hair. Apricot oil can be used for this purpose for maintaining hair health. Some of the benefits of apricots for hair are given below.

27. Great Conditioner : Apricot oil is packed with oleic and linoleic acids which can do wonders for your hair. Its high content of vitamins A and E makes it great for hydration and conditioning. This oil can be added to your shampoo or conditioner for extra softness as it has moisturizing effects. It is also used as treatment oil before chemical treatments.

28. Treatment Of Scalp Problems : Apricot oil contains vitamins A and E which support skin health and repair. Thus, it is a great home remedy for problems like dry scalp, psoriasis, dandruff, and eczema. This oil restores moisture to dry or flaky scalp or dull and dry hair.

29. Promotes Hair Growth : The vitamin E in apricot oil supports healthy hair growth and prevents hair loss. This vitamin in combination with fatty acids acts as a preservative by preventing damage by free radicals.

Apricots are a very good source of vitamins A and C. They are also rich in dietary fiber, and potassium. They contain phytochemicals called carotenoids which are responsible for imparting red, orange and yellow colors to fruits and vegetables. The antioxidant lycopene is one of the carotenoids contained in apricots. To sum up, apricots have a vast nutritional profile comprising of carbohydrates, sugar, soluble and insoluble fiber, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and amino acids and the like. Its nutritional profile is explained below.

Calories: Fresh apricots are low in calories, providing just 50 calories per 100 grams of weight which makes them ideal for weight loss.

Dietary Fiber: Dried apricots are rich in dietary fiber, particularly soluble fiber. This fiber dissolves into a gel-like substance and binds to fatty acids to encourage their excretion in waste. Thus, it plays an important role in reducing LDL and total cholesterol levels. A half cup of dried fiber provides 19% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of dietary fiber.

Potassium: Both fresh and dried apricots are rich in potassium, but dried apricots have a higher content of this mineral. Potassium, along with sodium, regulates the balance of intracellular and extracellular water levels, thus maintaining healthy blood pressure. Half a cup of dried apricots provides around 21% of RDA of potassium.

Iron: Fresh apricots contain small amounts of iron. Dried apricots have a comparatively higher content of this mineral. Like most plant-based foods, the iron provided by apricots is non-heme iron which cannot be absorbed easily like heme iron provided by animal flesh. The best way is to consume it with sources of heme iron or vitamin C to increase its absorption capacity. Half a cup of dried apricots provides nearly 10% of RDA of iron.

Antioxidants: Dried apricots are high in antioxidants and other potent antioxidant phytonutrients. They have a high content of beta-carotene which makes them a rich source of vitamin A. Half a cup serving of dried apricots provides about 13.5% of RDA of vitamin A. The total antioxidant or ORAC value of raw apricots is 1115 umol TE per 100 grams. Much of this is provided by flavonoid poly phenolic antioxidants such as lutein, zea xanthin and beta- cryptoxanthin. These compounds provide protection against oxygen derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that cause aging, cancers and other diseases. Zea xanthin is a carotenoid that is absorbed into the retinal “macula lutea” in the eyes, providing antioxidant and protective light filtering functions.