Apricot
Osmotic dried apricots typically have a leathery or chewy texture and a deep orange or golden color. Osmotic dried apricots are usually smaller in size than fresh apricots due to the removal of water during the drying process. Osmotic dried apricots have a concentrated, sweet flavor and can be a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.assium, etc. They provide an excellent source of dietary fiber and numerous health-promoting phytochemicals and minerals.
Osmotically dried apricots
Apricots are packed with nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, potassium, etc. They provide an excellent source of dietary fiber and numerous health-promoting phytochemicals and minerals. Apricots contain few calories, only 48 per 100 grams. We will agree that fresh fruit is the best way to get a sufficient amount of vitamins, fibers, minerals and other nutrients. For example, one cup of fresh apricots, cut in half, contains about 86 percent water and 74 calories. A similar cup of dried apricots, on the other hand, contains significantly less water and about 212 calories.
In addition, fresh apricots contain approximately 3.1 grams of fiber, while dried apricots contain about 9 grams of fiber. If you exercise or engage in physical activity such as hiking, dried apricots would be a plus as they are energy dense. However, a higher concentration of calories could create a stumbling block for you if you are trying to lose weight.
The bottom line is moderation. We will list only some of the benefits of dried apricots:
- Dried apricots are a natural source of vitamin E and vitamin A, which have numerous health benefits. Apricots contain beta-carotene, which the body breaks down into its active form. Growing evidence suggests that vitamins A and E and beta-carotene may play an important role in preventing or mitigating age-related eye disorders.
- Improving bone mineral density. Postmenopausal women and many adults in general experience bone loss. It is actually one of the most common causes of many bone disorders, such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and other similar disorders. Dried apricots contain boron, a natural mineral with incredible health benefits. Research studies have shown that pine can play diverse and essential roles in the functional properties of bone health. Evidence shows that pine can help with overall bone health, bone healing, and bone metabolism. It can also prevent or alleviate bone disorders such as osteoporosis.
- Skin damage and the effects of aging. Dietary vitamins and carotenoids are known to play a vital role in the overall health and appearance of the skin. In fact, many nutritional beauty products contain vital vitamins and natural carotenoids that can improve skin health. Dried apricots contain many of these vital nutrients. For example, they contain beta-carotene, which your body converts into vitamin A (retinol). There is strong evidence that it can offer additional protection against sunburn and the more permanent dangers of UV rays.
- Treatment of anemia. Pregnant and menstruating women often face a high risk of anemia. This is a condition in which your blood does not have enough healthy red blood cells to transport enough oxygen to the body’s tissues. Anemia can be a temporary or long-term condition, and the consequence is a lack of iron. Eating iron-rich foods is the best way to prevent and treat anemia. You can get about 3.5 milligrams of iron from a glass of dried apricots (half). Although they may not meet your daily nutritional needs for iron, apricots have the added benefit of vitamin C.
- The vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber present in apricots become significantly concentrated when they are dried.
- Apricot can help lower your blood pressure. Dried apricots are a rich source of potassium, a mineral associated with better blood pressure. You can expect to consume about 259mg of potassium in approximately half a cup of fruit. Research conducted in 2013 showed that consuming potassium can reduce high blood pressure in people suffering from hypertension. The study further suggested that higher potassium intake was associated with a 24% lower risk of stroke. Potassium is also an electrolyte that works closely with other minerals, such as sodium, to help balance your body’s fluids. It can help you regulate nerve signals and muscle contractions in the body.
- Improving gut health. Dried apricots contain about 2 grams of dietary fiber. Therefore, dried apricots can provide a higher concentration of nutrients per fruit compared to the original undried form.