This week it’s apricot health benefits from Kat’s Kitchen and why it’s good to include them in your diet.
Apricots are small, round, golden coloured fruit with a velvet type of skin. They contain a single stone so are classified as ‘drupes’. They are in the same family as the almond, cherry, peach and plum. Their flesh tends not be to too juicy and sometimes can be a little tart.
Apricots are often dried and used in pastry deserts and jams. In such instances, the sugar content in the dried version of the fruit is greater than that found in the fresh variety.
Apricots are originally thought to have come from China where records show they have been consumed for many years. These days the leading producers of apricots include Italy, Turkey, Greece and Spain.
Apricots are very nutritious and low in calories – here’s a few reasons to include apricots in your diet:
Apricot Health Benefits
- Promote eye health due to Vitamin A and Vitamin E. They also contain carotenes (from which they get their colour) which is a precursor to Vitamin A
- Promote good gut health as they are full of soluble fibre. Fibre also delays the movement of food through your digestive tract and feeds your beneficial gut bacteria. Heaving healthy gut bacteria is linked to a lower risk of obesity
- They are high in potassium which is responsible for sending nerve signals through the body and regulating muscle contractors.
- They are natural source of water which helps keep you hydrated