Dried apricots: benefits and harms

As you know, dried fruits contain a lot of useful components. But they are not as popular with people as fresh fruits. They are mainly used to make stewed fruit or as an additive to baked goods. One of these dried fruits is dried apricots, we will talk about it in this article.

The benefits of dried apricots

This dried fruit is a dried pitted apricot. Its scope is wide enough. In eastern countries, it was used in antiquity as a remedy and for general strengthening of the body and enhancing immunity.

For people with diseases of the cardiovascular system, the use of leggings is especially useful. This dried fruit has a beneficial effect on the composition of the blood, helps to 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.

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

Patients with diabetes mellitus are allowed to eat dried apricots, as it has 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.

Dried apricots harm

Despite the abundance of useful 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 add special chemical compounds called sulfites to dried apricots. They give the dried fruit an attractive appearance and extend its shelf life. Dried fruits processed with such preparations have a bright orange color.

Some people are very sensitive to the presence of sulfites. They have rashes on the skin, stomach cramps, asthma attacks. To avoid these signs of poisoning, try not to buy brightly colored dried fruits. The best dried apricots are light or dark brown and do not look like shiny pieces of marmalade at all.

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 is especially true for people who are significantly overweight. Dried apricots tend to lower blood pressure, so you should refrain from it in case of hypotension.

Contraindications for dried apricots

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

• A tendency to indigestion and diarrhea.
• Individual intolerance.
• Hypersensitivity to preservatives.
• Excess weight.
• Allergic manifestations of various kinds.

How many calories in dried apricots

The question of the calorie content of dried apricots is of particular concern to people 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 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 apricots contains. According to simple calculations, this number is 15 kcal. This figure suggests that without harm to the 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 your workday. Dried apricots will help to 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 chocolate-coated dried apricots are not a healthy snack. In terms of its composition and energy value, it is in no way inferior to chocolate sweets.

Dried apricots during pregnancy

Expectant mothers especially need vitamins. And in dried apricots they are contained in sufficient quantities. There are B vitamins, vitamin A, which is useful for eyes, and natural antioxidant vitamin C, as well as vitamin PP. A lot of dried apricots and valuable trace elements. All of them are beneficial not only for the body of the expectant mother, but are also necessary for the correct formation of the fetus. Thanks to the glucose and fructose found in this dried orange fruit, it can be used as a natural sweetener substitute.

Pregnant women often suffer anemic... To solve this problem, dried apricots contain useful magnesium. For the prevention of anemia, it is necessary to eat several pieces of dried apricots a day. An infusion of dried apricots and prunes will help to normalize the stool. To prepare it, pour boiling water over carefully washed 6 prunes and the same amount of dried apricots with boiling water overnight. Just drink the resulting drink in the morning. After a few days of regular use of this healthy drink, the digestion process will improve by itself.

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

Many pregnant women are often constipated. To normalize digestion, tasty dried apricots, which have a mild laxative effect, are useful. Expectant mothers often want something salty or sweet. In order not to gain too much weight, instead of candy or chocolate, it is better to eat a few pieces of sweet dried fruit.

A decoction of dried apricots has a diuretic effect. Therefore, it is useful to drink it with edema, which often prevails in pregnant women. A compote made from this healthy dried fruit will help to cope with toxicosis... To prevent tooth decay, hair loss and for 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 meat dishes. Especially good complements healthy dried fruit dishes with beef or chicken.

Dried apricots for children

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

Several pieces of dried apricots per day will not only improve the digestive process, but also strengthen the immune defense, normalize the heart 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. Abusing 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 the children's diet should begin after a year. If the baby has allergic manifestations, then this process should be postponed until the age of three. Dried apricots can be given to babies in mashed potatoes, adding them to mashed potatoes or porridge. And from the age of three, dried apricots can be given in their natural form.