Apricots are not as popular as other fruits since they’re not a common find in the market. A close relative to peaches, they’re small with orange skin and jam-packed with vitamins, minerals, and fibre.
A few grams will give you 12% of Vitamin A and C and 6% of Potassium of the recommended daily intake making them a necessary addition to your diet.
Not to mention, they’re quite tasty. Thanks to their nutrient value, apricots are known to aid with certain health issues. Here are some benefits of apricots:
1. Improves eyesight
In this digital age, we spend long hours in front of the computer or phones which have a harsh blue light that affects our vision. Lutein, one of the nutrients found in apricots, is known to protect the eyes from the effects of blue light. Additionally, this fruit is rich in carotenoids that help protect the eyes from age-related damage.
2. Aids in pregnancy
Apricots are a good source of various nutrients that aid in pregnancies. However, it’s especially a good source of folic acid which helps prevent congenital disabilities in newborn babies. Generally, eating apricots when pregnant promotes healthy fetal growth and development. They also promote milk production after childbirth.
3. Boosts bone density
Loss of bone density is one of the most common problems associated with age. This leads to diseases like arthritis and osteoporosis, a condition that makes you prone to fractures. Adding apricots to your diet will prevent the risk of suffering from such illnesses in your golden years. They contain a mineral known as boron that helps with bone health.
4. Reduces blood pressure
As mentioned, apricots contain high amounts of potassium which is a key nutrient in reducing blood pressure. Potassium is classified as an electrolyte and when mixed with water, it produces electricity in the body. This regulates muscle and heart contractions for a regular heartbeat which in turn, reduces blood pressure caused by irregular heartbeats.
5. Treats asthma
Since apricots have anti-inflammatory properties, it can help reduce the chances of getting an asthma attack. Asthma occurs when the body produces histamine due to an allergic reaction. This, in turn, causes an inflammation of the airways resulting in an asthma attack. Apricots build a stronger immunity that can help prevent inflammation.
6. Boosts metabolism
Due to its potassium levels, apricots ensure proper distribution of energy throughout the body. This helps the breakdown of fats to provide energy. Additionally, the energy boost helps maintain an active lifestyle which increases metabolism in the body.
7. Protects the skin
Fruits are essential in having youthful and glowing skin and apricots are no exception. Their rich vitamin content protects the skin from harmful UV rays thus preventing sun damage and skin cancer. They also promote the skin’s elasticity giving you healthy and youthful skin.
8. Improves sperm quality
There are a number of air pollutants in today’s society such as exhaust fume and cigarette smoke that cause impotence in men. A low antioxidant diet reduces the quality of sperm thus reducing fertility in men. Additionally, Vitamin A is beneficial in improving sperm quality. Therefore, eating apricots regularly will help improve fertility in men.
