The credit for finding one of the most nutritious fruits, the apricot, goes to Alexander the Great. He was the first to see the fruit grow in the wild while returning to Europe after his military expeditions in Asia.

The word apricot owes its name to the Latin word ‘precocious’ because it is the first fruit to ripen in a season. The name was liked by everyone and the popularity of the fruit reached all over Europe, America and Australia.

An apricot is very nutritious as it is rich in nutrients like iron, beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin B. If you keep an apricot to dry, the nutritional value of the fruit becomes more concentrated, making it a great snack for everyone. to appreciate.

Whether you save the fruit to dry or fresh, it will help you retain your youth, protect your eyes, and prevent cancer and many more heart disease.

There are four different ways that apricots can maintain your health.

Fight against cancer

If you suffer from indigestion from tomato products, which is the main source of lycopene, the best solution is to eat dried apricots. Lycopene, a notable carotenoid, helps in the prevention of prostate, breast, and other cancers. Although the amount of lycopene is less, 30 dried apricots give the same amount of lycopene that a tomato would give and, in addition, if you consume apricots all day, you will surely increase the level of lycopene in your body more quickly. According to experts, you should consume at least 5 milligrams of beta-carotene every day, which means that you should eat at least six fresh apricots.

Prevents heart disease

Dried apricots also prevent heart disease and maintain blood pressure by providing you with all the nutrients like magnesium, potassium, iron, beta-carotene, and copper. Additionally, five dried apricots can provide you with three grams of fiber, which can flush cholesterol out of your system long before it clogs your arteries.

Reduces the risk of getting cataracts.

Whatever you eat can also have a direct impact on your vision. As Blue Mountains Eye Study Investigator Dr. Robert G. Cumming said, “Our study confirms the importance of vitamin A for cataract prevention.” It further states that a balanced diet is required for the health of your eyes.

Increase shelf life

Some people believe that apricots increase the shelf life to 120 years, as for example in the Hunza tribe of the Himalayan mountains in Asia. Studies have found that people who belong to this tribe have never suffered from heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. And it is all due to the regular intake of apricots that is part of your diet. They consume apricots fresh during the season and dried during the long, cold winters.

Although apricots cannot guarantee you a long life, studies suggest that this little fruit, if consumed, will surely improve your life. The B vitamin found in dried apricots can protect you from Alzheimer’s disease and mental problems like memory loss that basically comes with age.

How can we get the apricots?

We can obtain the best and fresh apricots from our supermarkets between the months of June to August that are imported from California and Washington. They are orange-skinned and plump. Never eat apricots that are yellowish or greenish in color, as they are bruised or shrunken.

Like peaches, you can ripen apricots in your kitchen at room temperature. When you feel that they are ripe, store them in the refrigerator. They can stay fresh for many days.

During the winter season, enjoy imported apricots from South America and enjoy them in processed form such as spreads, jams, and nectars.