Want to take up your nutrition game up another notch? Give apricots a try!
The apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) fruit is one of the most popular fruits in the world. Apricots are drupes (fruits with a single seed) like mangoes, plums, cherries, and peaches. There's a seed in there, but it's covered by a hard stone. This fruit comes in a variety of shades of yellow-orange, with some even becoming orange when ripe. They are rich in carbohydrates, minerals, fibre, and vitamins. Let’s take a look at the health benefits apricot provides:
Cough, stomach issues, and asthma are all treated with apricot kernels in Chinese medicine. One of the advantages of apricot is that it can help in the treatment of malignant diseases. Researchers found anti-tumor activity in human pancreatic cells after isolating a chemical from the Japanese apricot variety MK615.
Antioxidant properties of apricots
A condition known as oxidative stress arises when the body is unable to properly eliminate reactive oxygen species produced and accumulated in cells and tissues. Damage to macromolecules (such as lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins) and tissue injuries are also possible outcomes of oxidative stress.
Chronic illnesses including malignant diseases, ulcers, diabetes, heart disease, and inflammation are also the result of these processes. Antioxidant effects are attributed to the apricot's strong phytochemical makeup.
Reduces risk of heart disease
Heart disease is a prominent cause of mortality globally, and apricots have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease. Cholesterol and atherosclerosis are two of the most common causes of heart disease in the United States, although there are many others. Lycopene, chlorogenic acid, and carotene in apricots reduce the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and enhance the human body's antioxidative condition through their anti-inflammatory properties. Apricots are also good for the liver because of their antioxidant properties.
Apricots are an excellent source of fibre
It is a known fact that soluble dietary fibre is effective in lowering LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol). Apricots are rich in fiber that also keeps the digestive system working in top notch condition.
Good for fatty liver
Hepatic steatosis, or fatty liver disease, is the build up of fatty deposits in the liver. Chronic hepatic steatosis can develop to steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and advanced fibrosis, all of which are chronic liver diseases caused by the buildup of fat in the liver. In animal studies, apricot has been shown to be a good treatment for hepatic steatosis.
Good treatment option for gastritis
The Japanese type of apricot helps inhibit H. pylori colonisation in the digestive tract, effectively preventing gastritis as a result. The ethanolic extract of apricot is highly effective against gram-positive bacteria. Additionally, it has antibacterial properties against microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis.