Dried apricots, over the last few decades, have become a symbol of health and wellness across the world. These minerals and vitamins filled fruits with their anti-oxidant qualities help in taking the first few steps towards achieving a healthy lifestyle.
With benefits such as effectively dealing with digestive issues and the regulation of the blood pressure, consumption of dried apricots in a limited and planned fashion is a one-way ticket for a better and healthy self.
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Watch: Dried Apricot Benefits
Health Benefits Of Dried Apricots
1. Promotes Healthy Digestion
Adequate consumption of dried apricots is known to reduce the acidity of the stomach. This is due to the fact that apricots contain alkali materials, which upon entering the stomach, neutralizes excessive acidity. Moreover, by decreasing the acidity of the stomach, it tends to boost digestion.
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2. Increases Oxygen Level
Being rich in iron, an adequate intake of dried apricots could help in the production of hemoglobin which is responsible for carrying oxygen.
Thus, the consumption of dried apricots is linked with the increase in the amount of oxygen transferred to the organs further increasing the productivity and aiding the organs in functioning properly.
3. Regulates Blood Pressure
The soothing and relaxing quality of the high magnesium content in dried apricots seems to be quite beneficial in regulating the blood pressure of the consumer. Magnesium, upon being ingested, helps in lowering the inflammation response of the blood vessels.
Moreover, it exerts a dilating effect on the arteries, which helps in a smooth transfer of blood, hence regulating the blood pressure.
4. Improves Respiratory Health
As mentioned in the previous point, the consumption of dried apricots also includes a higher intake of magnesium. Oral intake of magnesium, just like any other mineral, helps in the relaxation of the muscles as well as the nerves.
Furthermore, its benefits extend up to the respiratory tract, as it tends to act as an anti-inflammatory agent, preventing the cells from getting inflamed and making it easier to breathe.
5. Rich In Vitamin K
Vitamin K is another one of those highly essential micronutrients that the body requires for proper functioning. And as it happens, dried apricots are actually a rich source of vitamin K.
If nothing else, vitamin K helps in maintaining a healthy platelet count and increases the rate of blood clotting, thus aiding in the prevention of excessive blood loss upon injury.
6. Good For Eyesight
Again, thanks to the high concentration of vitamins, especially vitamins A and K, an adequate intake of dried apricots can help in nourishing your eyes.
By helping in the smooth and proper flow of blood towards the eye muscles, these vitamins help in the prevention of macular degeneration, further delaying the onset of age-related concerns such as cataract.
Also Read : Benefits & Side Effects Of A Vitamin C Rich Diet
7. Promotes Skin Health
The antioxidant quality of dried apricots helps the skin retain its natural structure as it reduces the risk of free-radical damage. Free-radicals, or free oxygen atoms, which are present in the blood, tend to combine with healthy cells and exert oxidative stress over the cell walls, thus damaging them.
However, upon being ingested, antioxidants such as vitamins help in combining with these free-radicals before they get to cause damage to the healthy cells.
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8. Beneficial During Pregnancy
Beneficial for regulating the flow of blood throughout the body as well as increasing the concentration of oxygen in the blood, adding dried apricot to one’s daily diet can help in increasing the energy level in the body.
This is the factor that makes it a great choice during pregnancy, furthermore, the mineral content in dried apricots helps in the healthy growth of the fetus.
Also Read : Super Foods To Reduce Belly Fat
9. Good For Muscles
By regulating the level of acid in the body and promoting photosynthesis, dried apricots, which are rich in potassium, can actually be quite beneficial when it comes to muscle building.
10. Manages Heartbeat
Since a healthy dose of minerals consumed alongside dried apricots helps in the smooth and regulated flow of blood throughout the body, it is also safe to say that consumption of dried apricot can help in preventing an irregular flow of blood, which further results in great cardiovascular health.
Side-Effects Of Dried Apricots
Though there are many food items in the market with similar benefits as dried apricots and side-effects that can be ignored, however, that isn’t the case with apricots, for an unregulated consumption of dried apricots can have serious dangers.
It is important to check the pack of dried apricots that you have purchased from the market, for it could contain toxic elements such as sulfur dioxide. Every dried fruit tends to contain this element in small quantities and when consumed in minimal quantity, it appears to be fine and hardly causes any disturbance to the body.
However, it is highly advised that if you are suffering from breathing disorders like asthma, you should avoid food items that are dried, as you could be highly sensitive to the sulfide content in them, and it might cause further breathing difficulties and allergies.
Conclusion
On a final note, it is safe to say that the incorporation of dried apricots into your regular diet must be an informed decision. Taking into account its benefits as well as side-effects, planned and regulated consumption of dried apricots can help in maximizing its beneficial nature.