Dried apricots is one of the most common and popular dried fruits. And although many people use this product, preparing desserts and stewed fruits from it, adding it to salads, not everyone knows that it is also useful. And if you want to know whether dried apricots are useful and in what quantities it can be consumed, then the information you need will be posted here.
What is the use of dried apricots and what substances are contained in it? Dried apricots are actually very healthy. This is not to say that dried apricots are an indispensable source of vitamins, but there are a lot of trace elements in it.
For example, these dried fruits contain magnesium, potassium, sodium, calcium, a huge amount of iron and phosphorus. It contains unsaturated acids that are beneficial for the body. This product does not contain sugar, only simple carbohydrates, which are perfectly absorbed by the body and do not affect the level of insulin production. Perhaps this is why dried apricots are a favorite treat of people with diabetes.
And although there are not so many vitamins in this product, they still exist. For example, dried apricots contain a fairly large amount of vitamins C and A. Here you can also find thiamine, nicotinic acid and vitamin B2.
What is the use of dried apricots for the human body? In fact, the usefulness of this product is difficult to overestimate. Firstly, it contains magnesium, potassium and sodium, which positively affect the state of the cardiovascular system. For example, dried apricots are recommended for people prone to atherosclerosis, as it prevents the deposition of cholesterol on the vascular walls and is an excellent prevention of thrombosis.
In addition, dried apricots include iron. That is why dried fruits are recommended for people with iron deficiency anemia. Dried apricots are a valuable source of coarse fiber. As you know, fiber is the best natural mechanical stimulator of peristaltic movements of the intestine. Therefore, it is recommended for constipation and other disorders of digestion. Dried apricots have a positive effect on the kidneys, since the minerals that it contains support normal water-salt metabolism, and also have the ability to relieve puffiness.
As already mentioned, dried apricots contain quite large doses of vitamin A (by the way, this explains its yellowish color). Regular use of this product has a positive effect on vision processes. In addition, dried apricots significantly improves the condition of hair and skin.
Despite the usefulness of dried apricots, there are some limitations. For example, no more than 100 grams of this product can be eaten per day. By the way, calorie content is quite high, so 100 grams of dried apricots is equal to 245 kcal. Excessive use of this product may cause digestive upsets.
Dishes of dried apricots
Knowing how dried apricots are useful and how beneficial it affects the human body, one can also get acquainted with what can be prepared from it.
To begin with, carefully consider the choice of dried apricots. The fact is that the most useful dried fruits are those that are dried under the sun without the use of chemicals. And the clearest indicator here is color. Naturally dried fruits are not too bright, a little grayish in color. At the same time, a bright orange color indicates the use of auxiliary chemicals.
Among supporters of good nutrition, a salad of finely chopped dried apricots, walnuts and low-fat sour cream is very common. Such a dish will perfectly replace breakfast or dessert, and for children it will become not only a source of nutrients, but also a real treat.
If you purchased too sweet dried apricots, soak it in cold water and leave it overnight. In the morning it will become not only tastier, but also much softer.
Do not forget about dried fruit compotes, as they are not only tasty and perfectly quench your thirst, but also replenish micronutrient reserves in the body. Knowing how dried apricots are useful, you can use it more efficiently.