The demand for fruits and fruit juices increases as summer knocks on the door! Many companies have claimed to market "real" fruit juices, but there can be no better alternative to what we get directly from Mother Nature. She presents us with innumerable options to meet our nutritional requirements in each season. Apricot (also known as Khubani in India) is one such offering which helps to keep us cool in summer. It is one of the most awaited summer fruits in most parts of the world. The beautiful golden orange color and the velvety skin make it look irresistible and really "Kool"!
Being rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber, tryptophan and potassium, Apricot offers the following health benefits:
- Improves Eye Sight: A study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology indicates that eating three or more servings of apricot per day reduces the risk of age related macular degeneration. Macular degeneration has been one of the primary causes of vision loss in older people. Apricots contain vitamin A in abundance. Vitamin A is a very good antioxidant which promotes good vision by scavenging the free radicals that damage the cells and tissues and cause injury to the eye lenses. These free radicals would otherwise lead to cataracts and cause macular degeneration by restricting blood supply to the eyes.
- Improves Digestive Health: Apricot has a good amount of fiber. It plays a good role in preventing constipation and helps in several digestive disorders like diverticulosis, (a disease involving formation of pouches in the colon) and hemorrhoids (painful, swollen veins in the lower portion of the rectum). Apricot is also known to help in destroying the intestinal worms. Topping your salad with apricot or having it as a mid-meal snack will promote your digestive health. To relieve constipation or induce diarrhea, you can also try eating dried apricots as they have higher fiber to volume ratio. Effects can be felt after eating as few as three.
- Promotes Heart Health: Apricot contains beta-carotene which helps in reducing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol) that can lead to formation of plaque in artery walls. This plays an important role in the prevention of heart diseases.
- Promotes Skin Health: Apricot has been a favorite in the skincare industry! The market is loaded with a lot of soaps, creams and moisturizers which are prepared using apricot extract. The vitamin A content of Apricot fights against acne, pimples and rashes and improves the skin texture.
Apricot is a unique offering from Nature during the summer months. But you can still get access to dried and canned Apricots throughout the year. But fresh Apricots, rich in vitamin C, beta carotene and fiber should remain as a priority! Adding fresh Apricots in your green salad is a great idea to add some flavor to your meals! You can enjoy a healthy meal if you add Apricot slices to hot or cold cereals. Adding chopped Apricots to the batter while preparing wholegrain pancakes will allow you to relish the taste of a wholesome dish!
