Apricot is that kind of fruit you will find everywhere you go in this season, especially in the Mediterranean. Not only is it so tasty, but it also has numerous benefits, we will list for you. If you like trying different ways of eating fruits (frozen, jam, smoothie), we will also list some easy recipes for you to enjoy on hot summer days.
Health Benefits
- Vitamin A
Being a great source for vitamin A, eating apples is also good for eye sight then. Vitamin A is important for normal vision, proper immune system function, reproduction, and maintaining healthy skin, teeth, and skeletal and soft tissue.
There are two different types of vitamin A. The first type, preformed vitamin A, is found in meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products. The second type, provitamin A, is found in fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based products. The most common type of provitamin A in foods and dietary supplements is beta-carotene.
While research is ongoing, studies examine how vitamin A may play a role in the prevention of cancer and age-related eye disorders. Women are recommended to consume 700 micrograms of vitamin A each day; men should aim for 900 micrograms. A 1-cup serving of apricot slices contains 158 micrograms.
- Potassium
The Journal of the American College of Nutrition mentioned in 2003 that “apricots provide a significant source of potassium. Potassium is a mineral and electrolyte that helps you maintain proper fluid balance, aids in muscle function, and helps regulate heartbeat. Potassium also promotes healthy digestion and strong bones. Getting sufficient amounts of potassium each day can help you maintain normal blood pressure and might reduce your risk of having a stroke.
The average adult should get 4.7 grams (4,700 mg) of potassium per day. A 1-cup serving of sliced apricots supplies 427 milligrams of potassium toward your daily requirement.
Fiber
Apricots contain significant amounts of both insoluble and soluble fiber, but are especially high in soluble fiber, which promotes and helps maintain healthy blood glucose and cholesterol levels.
A 1-cup serving of sliced apricots (approximately four-and-a-half fruits) provides about 79 calories and 3.3 grams of fiber. The Mayo Clinic recommends that women age 50 or younger consume 25 grams of fiber a day; men, aged 50 or younger, should consume 38 grams per day.
Different Ways to eat Apricots
You can eat apricots as they are, or you can choose to eat them as:
Apricot Jam
Recipe:
- Mix apricots and lemon juice in a large pot
- Add sugar
- Slowly bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves
- Cook and stir until apricot mixture thickens, about 25 minutes
- Remove from heat and skim foam if necessary
And Enjoy an Apricot jam sandwich
Dried Apricot Pie
- Slice the dried apricots in half
- Rinse them with water
- Place them in a sauce pan with the water
- bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes
- Combine the cornstarch with the orange liqueur and about 1 tablespoon of the apricots’ cooking liquid
- Mix until smooth then stir into the cooked apricots
- Add the white sugar and combine
- Pour mixture into the unbaked pie shell and seal with the top crust
- Brush milk over top crust for color, if desired
- Bake at 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) for 1 hour
Strawberry Apricot Sunrise Smoothie
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 medium ripe apricot, sliced in half and pit removed
- 1 frozen banana, halved
- 1/3 cup unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice)
- 2 teaspoons honey or agave syrup, plus more to taste (if desired)
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, rinsed and hulled
DIRECTIONS:
Add the apricot, 1/2 of the frozen banana, and almond milk to the pitcher of a blender. Puree until smooth. Taste and if you feel like it needs to be a little sweeter, add add honey or agave syrup to taste. Puree again. Pour 2/3 of the mixture into a large glass. Add strawberries and the other 1/2 banana to the remaining mixture and puree until smooth. Slowly pour the strawberry smoothie directly into the center of the apricot portion that’s in the glass. The apricot should move up the sides of the glass and then a strawberry layer should form on the top. Add a straw and serve.
