Why dried apricots are useful, properties and contraindications, reviews

The benefits and harms of dried apricots are an interesting question, since both children and adults like dried apricot fruits. To assess their effect on health, you need to carefully read the properties.

Composition, calorie content and nutritional value of dried apricots

The product has a very rich composition, the benefits and harms of dried apricots for the human body depend on it. Dried fruits contain:

• mineral components - copper and iron, calcium and phosphorus, cobalt;
• elements magnesium, potassium, manganese;
• vitamins C and A, as well as B1, B2 and B5;
• fiber and starch;
• organic acids;
• ash;
• fructose and glucose.

In terms of nutrients, dried apricots are predominantly carbohydrates - 51 g of total. Proteins in dried fruits contain about 5 g, and fats are presented in a minimal amount - only about 0.3 g.

The calorie content of the product is average - 100 g of dried fruit contains 215 kcal.

Useful properties of dried apricots

The health benefits of dried dried apricots can hardly be overestimated. If you eat dried fruits regularly, then they:

• help to cleanse the body and remove toxins, toxic substances and even heavy metals;
• strengthen the heart system and improve the condition of blood vessels;
• will improve digestion and bowel emptying;
• improve the activity of the pancreas and thyroid gland;
• help get rid of dysbiosis while taking antibiotics;
• will serve as the prevention of oncological diseases and tumors of a benign nature;
• improve the condition of the skin;
• help to equalize blood pressure.

Dried apricots are good for the kidneys - they allow you to remove excess fluid from the body. Due to the high iron content, dried fruit is highly recommended for use after serious illnesses and previous operations.

For women

The benefits of dried apricots for a woman's body is that dried fruit has a positive effect on the gynecological sphere. Funds based on it help with urinary ailments, dried fruit eliminates edema and protects the female body from malignant tumors. The product effectively regulates hormonal levels, and dried apricots are also actively used in diets aimed at losing weight.

For men

The benefits of dried apricots for men's health is that dried fruit improves the activity of the heart and strengthens blood vessels, which means that it reduces the risk of ischemia in adulthood. Also, the properties of the product have a beneficial effect on reproductive ability and increase potency, protect the prostate gland from tumors.

Dried apricots increase endurance and replenish energy reserves in the body. Therefore, it is recommended to use dried fruit for athletes.

For children

It is difficult to overestimate the benefits of dried apricots for children - dried fruit is responsible for the healthy development of bone and muscle tissue, for good blood circulation and active brain function. Dried apricots tones up and improves mood, therefore, it is especially necessary for a child during a period of intensive development.

For the first time, you can introduce dried fruits into the infant's diet after 6 months of life. The first portions should be very small, no more than 1 teaspoon. Subsequently, the volume of the product can be increased - for example, the daily dosage of dried fruit for schoolchildren can be about 15 g.

Is it possible for dried apricots for pregnant and lactating

The benefits of dried apricots during pregnancy are quite large - the product has a mild laxative effect and helps prevent constipation. Dried fruit compensates for the lack of nutrients in the body and eliminates anemia, strengthens the heart of the expectant mother and has a positive effect on the fetus.

But at the same time, pregnant women should remember about the increased calorie content of dried fruit. It is better not to exceed the recommended dosages, otherwise the dried fruit will harm the figure, and after childbirth it will be more difficult to restore the shape.

As for lactation, during breastfeeding, the properties of dried fruit do not harm, but only have a strengthening effect on the body of the mother and baby. It is especially useful to use the product together with buckwheat porridge and walnuts. But of course, you need to monitor the baby's reaction, if the baby is allergic to dried fruit, you will have to refuse dried apricots.

Is dried apricots useful for losing weight

The benefits of dried apricots for weight loss are high fiber content. Dried fruit stimulates peristalsis and helps get rid of toxins, as well as eliminates edema and regulates appetite. All this contributes to rapid weight loss.

You need to eat dried fruit on a diet in small quantities - no more than 80 g per day. Otherwise, a high-calorie product will harm the figure, since excess carbohydrates will be deposited in adipose tissue.

Many women use fasting days on dried apricots - a portion of 200 g is divided into 6 parts and consumed during the day, washed down with plenty of water. A strict diet allows you to lose weight very quickly, but it should last no more than a day, and fasting days are allowed to be used no more than once a week.

The benefits and harms of dried apricots for diabetes

The benefits and harms of dried apricots for human health in the presence of diabetes mellitus are ambiguous. On the one hand, dried fruit contains a lot of valuable components that are extremely useful in this disease. But on the other hand, it contains quite a lot of sugar, and this can lead to surges in blood glucose and be harmful.

As a rule, dried apricots for diabetics are still allowed, but in very small quantities, no more than 50-100 g per day. It should be consumed fresh without heat treatment, it is advisable to add dried fruit to main dishes. Before introducing a product into the diet, it is better to additionally consult a doctor.

How many dried apricots can you eat per day

Healthy dried fruit cannot be consumed uncontrollably even by healthy people, otherwise its properties will be harmful. It is recommended to eat no more than 150 g of the product per day.

Is it possible to eat dried apricots at night

There are no strict rules regarding the time of consumption of dried apricots, but it is recommended to eat it in the morning. Until 4 pm, the product is absorbed faster and better, and towards evening the properties will no longer be able to bring maximum benefit.

Dried apricots in folk medicine

The beneficial properties of dried fruit are used in home medicine recipes. Dried apricots prepared in special ways are able to effectively strengthen the body and relieve the symptoms of many diseases.

To improve immunity

Since dried fruit is full of valuable vitamins and microelements, it is very useful to use it in the season of autumn and winter colds.It is recommended to make such a mixture - 200 g of dried apricots, raisins, prunes and walnuts must be chopped, mixed with 200 g of honey.

The healing mixture is consumed in 3 large spoons a day, washed down with tea or water. The remedy not only strengthens the immune resistance, but also has a tonic effect and also improves mood.

For constipation

The high fiber content of dried fruit can effectively cope with the problem of constipation. Usually, several fruits are soaked overnight in a glass of boiling water and infused until morning. In the morning, the fruits are eaten shortly before breakfast, and then the infusion formed during the night is drunk. The benefit of dried apricots filled with boiling water will be that on the same day, intestinal peristalsis will return to normal.

If you use the remedy on an ongoing basis, you can, in principle, significantly speed up digestion and get rid of sluggish bowel syndrome.

To increase hemoglobin

Dried fruit contains a considerable amount of iron, therefore it is recommended for use in case of symptoms of anemia and anemia. For example, you can make a hearty and healthy blend of several vitamin foods.

• dried apricots and walnuts are taken in a volume of 200 g;
• chop and pour 2 large spoons of honey;
• consumed in the morning in the amount of 1 large spoon.

If desired, dates, figs, raisins and other dried fruits can be added to the healing mixture. First, you need to remove the seeds from them, and it is advisable to calcine the walnuts in a pan.

To improve heart function

Dried apricots are beneficial for the heart and blood vessels, it should be taken along with prunes and walnuts. These products contain a huge amount of magnesium, potassium, beta-styrene and calcium - the components protect the vessels from destruction and thereby support normal cardiac activity.

To prepare the drug, it is recommended to take all the ingredients 200 g each, rinse and grind, and then pour natural honey in a volume of 8 large spoons. Then add chopped lemon pulp without seeds to the product. The useful composition is insisted in the refrigerator for 10 days, and then taken three times a day, a large spoonful on a full stomach.

It is necessary to continue the strengthening course until the entire prepared mixture is over, it is stored in the refrigerator for a long time. Then you should take a break, and after another 3 weeks, the course can be repeated.

Spine mixture

The beneficial properties of dried fruits and honey have a positive effect on the joints and discs of the spine. You need to take 1 piece. figs, 1 pc. prunes and 5 pcs. dried apricots, chop the products with a blender and pour 2 large spoons of honey. The remedy is taken shortly before sleep in the volume of a large spoon, and therapy should be continued for 45 days.

Healthy recipes

Many tasty and healthy dishes are prepared on the basis or with the addition of dried fruit. Cooking takes a little time, and the health effect of the treats is very good.

Dried apricots decoction

With indigestion, constipation and vitamin deficiency, a decoction of dried apricots is of great benefit. Prepare it like this:

• 100 g of dried fruits are soaked in clean water for 10 minutes, and then thoroughly washed under the tap;
• dried apricots are poured with 1 liter of water and placed on the stove;
• after the dried fruits have boiled, the fire is reduced to the slowest one, cover the pan with a lid and cook for a quarter of an hour.

You need to drink the remedy in a glass twice a day, you can use it some time after a meal.

Infusion of dried apricots

Another healthy and tasty recipe is a water infusion based on dried fruits. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that the useful properties in dried apricots are preserved even more than in the broth, since it is subjected to minimal heat treatment.

100 g of washed fruits are poured into 100 ml of water and infused for 6 hours. After that, the product can be drunk 2 or 3 times a day in the volume of a glass. The benefits of a drink made from dried apricots will only be higher if you add a teaspoon of honey to it.

The properties of the infusion are useful in case of a lack of vitamins in the body, with stomach diseases and weakened blood vessels. Dried apricots are beneficial for the liver, they have a cleansing effect on the body and help the body recover faster.

Rice with dried apricots

A very easy to prepare, but healthy dish is rice with the addition of dried fruit. To prepare it you need:

• rinse several times and soak in water for 10 minutes about 100 g of cereal;
• wash and dry 40 g of dried apricots;
• wash and scald with boiling water, and then dry 25 g of raisins;
• rinse the rice again, pour 200 ml of water over it and boil.

After boiling, the rice is boiled over low heat until cooked, and in the meantime the dried apricots are cut into pieces. When the cereal is completely ready, you just need to remove it from the stove, transfer it to a plate and add the prepared dried fruits.

Eating such a dish is useful for digestive problems and for strengthening the heart. Rice with dried apricots is often given to children; the dish not only saturates well and replenishes the supply of vitamins, but also helps to regulate the stool.

Cottage cheese with dried apricots

Homemade curd mass with dried apricots is an excellent delicacy that has a positive effect on joints, teeth, skin and hair, and also improves the condition of the stomach. Prepare the dish as follows:

• 400 g of crumbly cottage cheese is ground through a sieve so that the cottage cheese becomes airy;
• add 50 g of granulated sugar and grind it properly with the curd mass;
• mix the workpiece with 3 large tablespoons of natural yogurt or sour cream;
• 100 g of dried apricots, previously soaked in water, cut into small pieces;
• the dried fruits are added to the sweet curd mass and mixed well again.

Sprinkle the treat with a pinch of vanillin on top. The benefits of sugar dried apricots will appear if you use such a dish in the morning or instead of an afternoon snack - the delicacy will not harm the figure, but it will have a beneficial effect on health.

Kefir with dried apricots

One of the simplest and low-calorie dishes is dried apricots with kefir. It can be prepared in an elementary way - about 50 g of dried fruits are cut into 1 liter of low-fat kefir, they are poured into a fermented milk drink and mixed properly. If you cut the dried apricots very finely and add in a minimum amount, then you can drink kefir.

The delicacy will benefit people suffering from stomach problems, there will be great benefits from dried apricots for the liver. Also, a fermented milk drink with the addition of dried fruit will have a strengthening effect on the joints and help improve the condition of the facial skin.

Dried apricot puree

In the diet of babies, the most useful dish will be soft puree made from dried apricots. Do it as follows:

• several fresh dried fruits are soaked in water for 10 minutes, and then washed thoroughly;
• the washed dried apricots are put into water again, but already for 5 hours, and then boiled for 10 minutes without changing the liquid;
• ready-made dried fruits are ground in a blender along with the resulting broth until a completely homogeneous puree is obtained.

The benefits of dried apricot for the child will be that the puree will prevent constipation in the baby, prevent the development of anemia and protect the stomach from ailments.

The use of dried apricots in cosmetology

Dried fruits, present in the diet on an ongoing basis, have a very beneficial effect on the appearance. Their beneficial properties help to even out skin color and moisturize the epidermis, the vitamins present help strengthen nails and hair.But in home beauty recipes, dried fruit is most often used for the skin of the face.

1. Dried apricots, previously kept in boiling water, help from puffiness under the eyes - the steamed fruits should be put on the eyes for 10 minutes.
2. The nourishing effect is provided by a mask of 200 g of dried apricot puree mixed with 2 teaspoons of milk.
3. Crushed dried apricots mixed with sour cream moisturize and soften the skin.

The useful properties of masks largely depend on the additional ingredients. But if you make useful compositions for the skin regularly, then dried fruits will be beneficial in any case.

Cooking dried apricots at home

Since dried apricots are just dried apricots, you can cook dried fruit yourself.

1. Fresh apricots are washed, cut in half, and the pits removed.
2. In order for the fruits to retain their beautiful bright color, they are kept over hot steam for a couple of minutes.
3. After that, the dried apricots are placed in the sun and left for 1-2 weeks, covered with thin gauze on top from flies and other insects. So that the workpiece does not deteriorate from temperature changes, it is better to remove the fruits from the open air into the house at night.

If you want to get dried fruit faster, you can use a special electric dryer. The first 2 hours the fruits are dried at temperatures up to 60 ° C, then they are raised to 80 ° C, and then again reduced to the initial values.

If you take ripe red apricots as raw materials, you end up with a very sweet chocolate-colored dried apricots. The benefits of chocolate dried apricots are high concentrations of B vitamins, magnesium, calcium and silicon.

Dried apricots harm and contraindications

For most people, dried fruit is beneficial, but sometimes its properties can turn into harm. Contraindications for dried fruit are:

• tendency to flatulence and diarrhea;
• chronic ailments of the stomach and intestines in acute form;
• allergy to apricots;
• obesity - high-calorie dried apricots can be harmful;
• bronchial asthma.

With diabetes mellitus, the use of the product must be approached with caution. In small quantities, dried apricots will be beneficial, but if you eat them more than the norm, the properties will be harmful.

How to choose dried apricots

Choosing a dried fruit is not difficult, but there are a few basic rules to keep in mind. First of all, it is better to refuse to purchase bright orange or yellow dried apricots, this shade is achieved when preservatives are added to the product. Natural dried fruit has a brownish dark color and looks less attractive, but contains more valuable properties.

The smell of fresh dried apricots should not come from sour, but sweet. It is worth carefully examining the surface of the dried fruit - there should be no dark spots, damage and mold on the fruit, otherwise the product will be harmful.

How to store dried apricots

The dried fruit retains its valuable properties and benefits for six months in the refrigerator. You need to keep dried apricots in an airtight bag or container, in a shaded and dry place.

For long-term storage, dried fruit can be placed in the freezer. The properties of frozen dried apricots will remain the same, and the shelf life will increase to 18 months.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of dried apricots depend on the state of health and compliance with the measure. In small quantities, dried fruit will be of great benefit, but it is impossible to eat dried apricots without any measure - this will harm and lead to intestinal disorders.

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