15 Health Benefits of Dried Apricots (and Nutrition Facts)
Find out, what are the health benefits of dried apricots and what are the most important nutrition facts of dried apricots.
The apricot, also called Prunus Armeniaca, belongs to the Rosacea Family. It is described as a small, orange and yellow-colored fruit that has a tangy flavor. Unfortunately, fresh ones are often fragile. Fresh apricots tend to bruise easily and would not be able to survive the journey once it is harvested. This is why some apricots are dried.
The dried variety originates from a process that involves water evaporating from the fruit. But, it is a mild process and will not affect the nutritional value of the apricot. It would just degrade the water-soluble and heat-sensitive vitamins of the fresh fruit. The other nutrients that it contains will be concentrated.
Dried apricots are the same as fresh ones when it comes to nutrition. They still contain Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Iron, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Calcium. They can also still help improve health and enhance skin condition.
Here are the most important health benefits of dried apricots.
Health Benefits of Dried Apricots
1. Blood clotting
Vitamin K is a vitamin found in dried apricots that is useful for blood clotting. This vitamin helps stop excessive bleeding.
Supplements are widely available. But, nutritionists still encourage the use of natural sources of Vitamin K. Eating dried apricots at least once a day will help stock up this vitamin in the body.
2. Building muscles
The potassium contained by dried apricots helps in improving metabolism, as well as the function of organs and tissues. This is important for normal body growth and muscle building, as well as the regulation of the acid levels in the body. It is also useful for protein synthesis.
3. High blood pressure control
Potassium in dried apricots is three times more than the amount in bananas. It contains only a trace of salt, which helps keep the blood pressure down. It also protects the body against heart diseases.
4. Skin glow enhancement
The oil from dried apricots is useful for skin care. It helps make the skin smooth and glowing. It can be a good remedy for sore ears, as well.
5. Respiratory health improvement
Eating a few pieces of dried apricots can already result in positive effects on respiratory disorders. The dried variant acts as an expectorant. It also has stimulating effects.
With these qualities, dried apricots are a safe way of reducing stress and pressure from the respiratory tract. It helps prevent asthma attacks, as well.
6. Hemoglobin production increase
The iron and copper in dried apricots produce hemoglobin that can help in its additional production. Adding the fruit into the diet of an anemic patient can help improve their condition. Still, it is wise to consult a doctor first to get proper treatment.
7. Good vision
Dried apricots contain Vitamin A as well. It is the vitamin for good vision. The vitamin is also a powerful antioxidant, helping the body get rid of free radicals. It also helps maintain the health of cells and tissues.
The dried fruit is considered ideal for healthy eyes since it contains zeaxanthin, an antioxidant essential for light filtering functions.
8. Regulate heartbeat
Another benefit of the potassium in dried apricots is its ability to regulate proper fluid balance. It helps in regulating heartbeat and maintain proper muscle functions.
9. Benefits during pregnancy
Infertility, hemorrhage, and spasms are possible problems during pregnancy. These can be cured by eating dried apricots, which can also be used for curing vaginal infections.
Dried apricots are considered an herbal medicine for pregnancy. They can be consumed moderately by lactating or pregnant mothers. They can serve as snacks as well.
10. Digestive tract clearing
Dried apricots act as a mild laxative for the digestive tract. As a laxative, it helps flush out unwanted wastes. Another benefit of dried apricots as a laxative is that it reacts to digestive juices. Its reaction produces an alkaline environment to clean the digestive tract.
11. Skin benefits
The juice of dried apricots can help treat itching caused by eczema, sunburn, and scabies. It helps treat many other skin problems like.
12. Reduction of fever
If you dilute dried apricots with some honey and water, it can help reduce fever. It can also give relief from thirst.
13. Digestion improvement
Consuming dried apricots before a meal can help stimulate digestion. With the alkali that it contains, dried apricots can neutralize acids.
Dried apricots can be taken before a meal in cases of indigestion. But, if symptoms persist, you should go to a doctor for a thorough examination.
14. Constipation treatment
Dried apricots contain pectin and cellulose. Pectin helps maintain the water levels in the body during constipation, while cellulose acts as insoluble fiber.
15. Fighting anemia
A very good source of iron, dried apricots are useful in fighting anemia. They contain iron-absorbing copper as well.
Nutrition Facts of Dried Apricots
To further support the benefits of dried apricots, the following are nutritional information about dried apricots. 100 grams of the dried apricots contain the following nutrients:
- Carbohydrates 11g
- Dietary Fiber 2g
- Iron 0.39mg
- Magnesium 10mg
- Calcium 13mg
- Folate 9g
- Manganese 0.077mg
- Niacin 0.600mg
- Pyridoxine 0.054mg
- Potassium 259 mg
- Phosphorus 23 mg
- Sodium 1mg
- Thiamin 0.030mg
- Vitamin A 1926IU
- Vitamin C 10mg
- Vitamin K 3.3g
- Zinc 0.2mg
Meanwhile, the table below shows the nutrition facts of dried apricots and calories of dried apricots.
| Nutrition facts of dried apricots | |
| Amount Per Serving | |
| Calories 8.4 | Calories from Fat 0.2 |
| % Daily Value * | |
| Total Fat 0g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 0g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 0g | |
| Monounsaturated Fat 0g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 0.3mg | 0% |
| Potassium 41mg | 1% |
| Total Carbohydrates 2.2g | 1% |
| Dietary Fiber 0.3g | 1% |
| Sugars 1.9g | |
| Protein 0.1g | |
| Vitamin A | 2.5% |
| Vitamin C | 0.1% |
| Calcium | 0.1% |
| Iron | 0.5% |
| * The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. |
In conclusion, dried apricots are a dried variant of fresh apricots. Despite the drying process used, dried apricots are still as nutritious as fresh apricots. They are known to improve one’s health and skin condition.
To sum everything up, the health benefits of dried apricots are as follows: it helps in blood clotting, building muscles, controlling high blood pressure, skin glow enhancement, asthma relief, increasing hemoglobin production, providing good vision, regulating heartbeat, pregnancy relief, cleaning of the digestive tract, skin benefits, fever reduction, improving digestion, treating constipation, fighting anemia and managing fluid levels.
