Dried apricots: benefits and harm

Dried fruits are known to contain many useful components. But they are not as popular with people as fresh fruits. They are mainly used for making compotes or as an additive to baked goods. One of these dried fruits is dried apricots, which we will talk about in this article.

The benefits of dried apricots

This dried fruit is a dried apricot without pit. The scope of its application is quite wide. In eastern countries, it was used in ancient times as a remedy and for general strengthening of the body and increasing immunity.

For people with diseases of the cardiovascular system, the use of leggings is especially useful. This dried fruit has a beneficial effect on blood composition, helps solve problems with blood pressure and increases the amount of hemoglobin. In this regard, dried apricots are often recommended for the treatment of anemia. In addition, regular consumption of dried apricots can prevent the risk of thrombosis.

Eating dried apricots is also good for the digestive system. It activates the peristalsis of the large intestine, promotes the removal of waste and accumulated toxins. Dried apricots contain pectins, which are used to remove heavy metals from our body. Dried apricots contain a lot of fiber, which means it normalizes digestion. In addition, this dried fruit has a laxative effect, which makes it useful for constipation.

Patients with diabetes are allowed to eat dried apricots, as they have a positive effect on metabolic processes. It is also recommended for the treatment of vitamin deficiency, as well as for maintaining strength in the postoperative period.

Harm of dried apricots

Despite the abundance of beneficial properties, in some cases the use of this useful product can be harmful. Not all dried fruit producers are conscientious about the production process. Some people add special chemical compounds to dried apricots called sulfites. They give dried fruit an attractive appearance and extend its shelf life. Dried fruits treated with such preparations have a bright orange color.

Some people react very strongly to the presence of sulfites. They develop skin rashes, stomach cramps, and asthma attacks. To avoid such signs of poisoning, try not to buy brightly colored dried fruits. The best dried apricots are a light or dark shade of brown and look nothing like shiny pieces of marmalade.

In addition to the danger of poisoning, dried apricots should not be consumed too much. Its optimal amount is no more than 100 g per day. This especially applies to people who are significantly overweight. Dried apricots tend to lower blood pressure, so you should avoid them if you have hypotension.

Contraindications for dried apricots

Having analyzed the effect of orange dried fruit on the human body, we can formulate its contraindications:

• Tendency to upset stomach and diarrhea.
• Individual intolerance.
• Hypersensitivity to preservatives.
• Excess weight.
• Allergic manifestations of various kinds.

How many calories are in dried apricots

The question of the calorie content of dried apricots is especially of concern to people who are watching their figure. This is not surprising. In fact, the nutritional value of this product is quite high. All dried fruits are obtained by drying, which removes moisture from the fruit and increases its density. In this case, the substances present in the fresh fruit acquire a higher concentration. In general, the calorie content of dried apricots is about 215 kcal for every hundred grams of product. This is much less than the calorie content of confectionery and sugar, but also quite an impressive figure.

If you are on a diet, it will be useful to know how many calories 1 piece of dried apricot contains. According to simple calculations, this number is 15 kcal. This figure suggests that without harming your figure, you can only allow yourself up to 4 pieces of dried fruit per day.

It is best to eat sweet dried fruit in the middle of the working day. Dried apricots will help cope with fatigue and give strength. Wash down the dried apricots with tea and you can hold out until dinner, avoiding “harmful” snacks. It is worth noting that the popular dried apricots in chocolate glaze are not a healthy snack product. In terms of its composition and energy value, it is in no way inferior to chocolate candies.

Dried apricots during pregnancy

Expectant mothers especially need vitamins. And dried apricots contain them in sufficient quantities. There are B vitamins, vitamin A, which is beneficial for vision, and the natural antioxidant vitamin C, as well as vitamin PP. Dried apricots also contain a lot of valuable microelements. All of them are beneficial not only for the body of the expectant mother, but are also necessary for the proper formation of the fetus. Thanks to the glucose and fructose present in this orange dried fruit, it can be used as a natural sweet substitute.

Pregnant women often suffer anemia. To solve this problem, dried apricots contain useful magnesium. To prevent anemia, you need to eat a few pieces of dried apricots a day. An infusion of dried apricots and prunes will help normalize stool. To prepare it, pour boiling water over 6 thoroughly washed prunes and the same amount of dried apricots overnight. In the morning, just drink the resulting drink. After a few days of regular consumption of this healthy drink, the digestion process will improve on its own.

Calcium, which is also part of the dried fruit, is useful for the formation of fetal bone tissue and strengthening the bones of the expectant mother. For the proper formation of muscle tissue of the unborn baby, dried apricots contain potassium.

Many pregnant women often experience constipation. To normalize digestion, tasty dried apricots, which have a mild laxative effect, will come in handy. Expectant mothers often want something salty and something sweet. In order not to gain too much weight, instead of candy or chocolate, it is better to eat several pieces of sweet dried fruit.

A decoction of dried apricots has a diuretic effect. Therefore, it is useful to drink it for edema, which often plagues pregnant women. And a compote made from this healthy dried fruit will help cope with toxicosis. To prevent tooth decay, hair loss and problems with nails, eat dried fruit in its natural form or drink compote from it. To diversify the menu, add dried apricots to salads and dishes with meat. The healthy dried fruit complements dishes with beef or chicken especially well.

Dried apricots for children

In childhood, dried apricots are useful for children suffering from frequent constipation. Dietary fiber, present in large quantities in dried apricots, effectively cleanses the intestines and is favorable for the proliferation of beneficial microflora. This is very useful for normalizing digestion.

A few pieces of dried apricots a day will not only improve the digestive process, but will also strengthen the immune defense, normalize heart function and increase the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood.

However, do not give your child too much of this dried fruit. Remember the laxative effect of dried apricots. Abuse of it will lead to flatulence and abdominal pain. It is best to start accustoming your child to dried apricots with one piece a day.

According to nutritionists and pediatricians, the introduction of dried apricots into children's diets should begin after one year. If the baby has allergic manifestations, then this process should be postponed until the age of three. Children can be given dried apricots in mashed form, adding them to purees or porridge. And from the age of three, dried apricots can be given in their natural form.