There is no food better than that coming directly from Mother Nature. She offers us a vast range of options to meet our nutritional needs in any season.
The apricots are one of the most impatiently-awaited fruits of summer. Their golden-orange colour and velvet skin make them irresistible.
Being rich in the vitamins A and C, fibre, tryptophan and potassium, the apricots benefit health in the following ways:
- They improve the vision. Eating three or more apricots a day lowers the risk of macular degeneration, which is associated with aging. Macular degeneration is one of the main causes of loss of vision of elderly people.
- The apricots are abundant in vitamin A, which is a very powerful antioxidant. It stimulates the eyes and protects from the free radicals that destroy the cells and tissues.
- They improve the work of the digestive system. The apricots help constipation and some digestive disorders such as diverticulosis, which is a condition of having pouches in the colon, or hemorrhoids, which are painful swellings in the lower part of the rectum.
- The apricots are also known to kill intestinal worms. Whether taken for breakfast or as a snack at any time of the day, the apricots are beneficial to your digestive health. To relieve constipation, it is even better to choose dry apricots since they contain a higher percentage of fiber in comparison to fresh ones.
- They stimulate the heart. The apricots contain beta-Carotene, which helps reduce the LDL cholesterol, also known as bad cholesterol for causing plaque to form on the walls of arteries. That is why the apricots play an important part in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
- The apricots contribute to a healthy skin. It is not a coincidence that thousands of cosmetic products (soaps, creams, shampoos) are made with apricot extract as a base. The vitamin A that they contain is beneficial against acne, pimples and rashes and improves the structure of the skin.
The apricots are a unique gift of Nature in the summer months. During the rest of the year you can eat them dry or conserved but, when in season, go for the fresh ones - they are rich in vitamin C, beta-Carotene and fiber!