A storehouse of minerals: how is dried apricot beneficial for the body?

We have collected many interesting facts about dried apricots: health benefits and harms, contraindications, methods of consumption. We know how to select, prepare and store the product correctly.

Apricots are available for sale only in the summer, but you want to please your body with vitamins and minerals all year round. Fortunately, dried apricots are not inferior in chemical composition to fresh fruits, and in some ways even surpass them.

Composition and calorie content of dried apricots

Proper drying allows you to preserve almost all vitamins, macro- and microelements in the fruits. However, any dried fruits have a high concentration of sugars (primarily fructose), which makes them high in calories. So, 100 g of dried apricots is 230 kcal. Dried apricots are also high in protein, carbohydrates and dietary fiber, making them a filling meal.

Dried apricots are one of the healthiest dried fruits. In terms of the amount of minerals it surpasses prunes, figs and raisins. The composition of the product is indicated in the table.

Table 1. Chemical composition of dried pitted apricots

Dry apricot is inferior to fresh only in the content of ascorbic acid. During the drying process, vitamin C is partially destroyed. But dried apricots contain much more fiber, which has a positive effect on the functioning of the digestive system.

What are the benefits of dried apricots?

When consumed in reasonable quantities (no more than 100 g or 5-7 pieces per day), dried apricot will benefit your body. What are the preventive and therapeutic properties of this product?

For all

Doctors recommend including dried apricots in the diet to prevent cardiovascular diseases. Due to the high content of potassium and magnesium, dried fruits will help hypertensive patients reduce blood pressure and relieve swelling.

If you are prone to chronic constipation, eat 3-4 pieces of dried apricots daily. The product will enhance intestinal motility and help remove toxins, radionuclides, and heavy metal salts from the body.

In addition to orange dried fruits, green apricots have a laxative effect. They can be purchased from online organic food stores.

Dried fruits also have the following beneficial properties:

• improve thinking abilities, memory;
• protect the body from cancer due to its high content of antioxidants;
• participate in the synthesis of thyroid hormones and insulin;
• removes “bad” cholesterol from the body;
• treat hypovitaminosis;
• strengthen the immune system;
• increase hemoglobin production;
• have a positive effect on the functioning of the liver and kidneys.

Wild (natural) dried apricots are considered the most valuable for health. It contains the maximum concentration of vitamins, minerals and is not treated with chemicals. It has a nondescript brown color. Wild dried apricots are supplied mainly by Türkiye to Russia.

For men

Dried apricots contain a large amount of substances that improve blood circulation, including in the pelvic organs. Doctors suggest that regular use of the product can increase potency. In addition, dried apricots stimulate the production of the hormone testosterone. Zinc from dry apricots increases sperm motility, improving reproductive function.

Orange dried fruits reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, a common disease among men over 45 years of age. And in general, they can be used to increase physical endurance.

For women

Dried apricots are very useful for women due to the presence of vitamins A, C, E, H. These are natural antioxidants that prolong youth.Hair becomes thicker and shinier, skin cells renew themselves faster, and nails stop peeling.

Dried apricots also contain folic acid. This substance normalizes hormonal levels, reduces pain during painful menstruation, and promotes favorable conception of a child.

Women are much more likely than men to have thyroid problems. And dried apricots contain two important microelements that protect this organ: iron and iodine. In addition, dry apricot calms the nervous system and helps resist chronic fatigue.

For children

The most valuable substance in dried apricots for children is vitamin A. It supports healthy muscle and bone growth. If a child has myopia, it is useful for him to eat not only blueberries, but also dried apricots.

Due to the presence of B vitamins, dry apricots improve mental abilities. This has a positive effect on grades at school. The child becomes more concentrated and easily remembers new information.

It is allowed to introduce dried apricots into a child’s diet from the age of 1 year.

Harm and contraindications of dried apricots

The beneficial properties described above apply only to natural dried fruits. Industrially processed dried apricots are unhealthy. To preserve the external attractiveness of fruits and extend shelf life, manufacturers often use sulfur dioxide (E220). This inorganic compound substance can accumulate in the body and cause the following problems:

• allergies;
• bronchial asthma;
• metabolic disease.

Even short-term use of products with sulfur dioxide can cause a sore throat, runny nose and cough. This supplement also destroys vitamins B1 and B12 in the body.Fortunately, the harm of sulfur dioxide can be partially neutralized because it is highly soluble in water. Rinse dried apricots from the store under the tap. Then soak for 30 minutes. Rinse again. Only after these steps can the product be consumed.

Dried apricots have the following contraindications for use:

• allergies (reactions manifest themselves in the form of a rash, redness of the skin, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract);
• tendency to diarrhea;
• pancreatitis;
• stomach ulcer;
• diabetes.

If you are obese, doctors do not recommend eating dried apricots due to their high calorie content. But you can arrange fasting days once a week: consume only 300–500 g of orange dried fruits and water.

If you are prone to bloating, eat dried apricots that have been boiled or pre-soaked in hot water (for 30 minutes). They are easier to digest in the stomach.

In what form should you eat dried apricots?

You can eat dried apricots as a snack on their own or add them to porridge, cottage cheese, salads, baked goods, and desserts. Just remember to wash dried fruits first. Otherwise, chemicals, dust and dirt residues may enter the body. Manufacturers do not always comply with sanitary standards when storing dried apricots.

Try making a vitamin mixture. You will need these ingredients:

• dried apricots – 200 g;
• walnuts – 200 g;
• raisins – 200 g;
• lemon – 1 piece;
• natural honey – 100 g.

Pass dried apricots, nuts and raisins through a meat grinder. Squeeze the juice from the lemon and add to the mixture. Now pour honey over the ingredients and mix everything thoroughly.

The vitamin mixture should be stored in the refrigerator. Use 1 table. spoon 2 times a day half an hour before meals. This way you will increase your body’s immune strength and feel great.

To prepare apricot urbech, the seeds, not the pulp, of dried apricots are used. The dessert is useful for treating kidney diseases, improving metabolism and preventing cancer.

Rules for choosing dried apricots

If you buy dried apricots at the store, pay attention to their appearance. A bright orange color, slight moisture, and a glossy shine are signs that the product has been treated with sulfur dioxide. On the packaging the additive is called E220.

What does healthy dried apricots look like? It is inconspicuous: it has a dull orange-brown color and wrinkled skin. It feels dense and dry. There are no traces of mold, no black spots. This is the kind of product you should buy without fear.

Storing dried apricots

Dried apricots should be placed in glass or plastic containers. Store in a dark, well-ventilated place for no more than 12 months. Optimal conditions:

• temperature 10–20 degrees;
• humidity 15–25%.

Dried apricots can also be frozen. It is better to put it in plastic containers rather than plastic bags. Frozen dry apricots can be stored for up to 18 months. After defrosting, it is great for making compotes.

How to dry apricots yourself?

If you can’t find good dried apricots on sale, try drying apricots at home. Only ripe, juicy, fleshy fruits, preferably large in size, are suitable for drying. Wash them under running water, dry them, cut them in half and remove the seeds.

There are three ways to dry apricots:

• In an electric dryer. Temperature – 55 degrees, time – 40 hours.
• In the oven. Temperature – 65–70 degrees, time – 12 hours.
• In the sun. First, leave the apricots in a dark, well-ventilated area for 1 day.Then move it to the sun and leave it for a week.

The latter drying option allows you to preserve maximum vitamins in the fruits. However, such dried apricots acquire a dark color.

Dried apricots are an excellent alternative to ripe fruits, a storehouse of vitamins, minerals and fiber. They are easy to take with you to work and on the road. Dried apricots quickly satisfy hunger, replacing snacks in the form of candies, cookies and chips. However, the store-bought product can be harmful to health due to the sulfur dioxide content. Therefore, dried fruits should be washed thoroughly, and it is better to prepare them yourself.