Health Benefits
When it comes to apricots, you may be tempted to consider them as being too “ordinary” to be considered a “Superfood”. Think again -- apricots are a powerful source of disease fighting agents and are one of the healthiest and most beneficial fruits available. Because of their high nutrient content, California apricots address a variety of health concerns - anemia, digestion, eyes and vision, and even skin problems. The diverse and unique combination of antioxidants in California apricots makes them an excellent fruit for fighting against heart disease, cancer, and stroke. Dried apricots have a greater nutritional content (especially Vitamin A and minerals) than fresh apricots due to their high concentration of nutrients. The antioxidants carotenoids and phenolics are both abundantly present in apricots. They are rich in vitamin C, potassium, calcium, iron, vitamin A, phosphorous, and contain fiber as well as essential minerals in trace amounts. According to studies, apricots are excellent sources of ß-carotene, forming 60-70% of the carotenoid that confers with the orange color on the un-blushed sides of the fruit. Additionally, the ß-carotene and lycopene found in apricots protect LDL cholesterol from oxidation, which may help to fight against heart disease. Carotenoids are important not only because of the color they impart but also because they show protective activity against a variety of degenerative diseases. Apricots have been described as one of the most important dietary sources of provitamin A carotenoids – 250g of fresh or 30g of dried apricots (approximately one serving size) provide nearly all of the recommended daily allowance.
6 Facts - Did you know?
1.Apricots are in the Rosacea (Rose) family – along with the other stone fruits (such as peaches, cherries, and plums), almonds, strawberries, raspberries, apples, pears, and of course, roses!
2.In a 2005 study, Spanish researchers found that apricot color has a large influence not only on consumer perception of quality but also on nutritional recognition for their Vitamin A content.
3.Laetrile, a purported alternative treatment for cancer, is extracted from apricot seeds. As early as the year 502, apricot seeds were used to treat tumors and in the 17th Century, apricot oil was used in England against tumors and ulcers. However, in 1980, the American National Cancer Institute described laetrile to be ineffective in the treating of cancer.
4.Apricots are very closely related to the almond (P. dulcis) and the pits of some of the specially developed hybrids are edible.
5.Approximately 20% of California’s total apricot crop is utilized for drying.
6.Turkey is the main producer of dried apricots, accounting for approximately 85% of the world production.
Xi'an Forward Trading Company is processors, packagers and distributors of Dried Apricot we have established long business cooperation with65dried Apricot planters, covering170hectare of dried Apricot orchards in Shaanxi Province, China. If you are intrested in dried Apricot and would like to lean more, welcome to contact us @ email: sales@driedfruitsnack.com and WhatsApp: +8613991488775.
