Apricots are small and orange-colored fruit that is also popularly known as Khubani in India. It also contains a stone/seed at the center, which is surrounded by apricot flesh. Like many other healthy fruits, apricots are a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals. It’s easy to add apricot to your daily diet and gain some apricot benefits. The fruit has a high nutritional value and is famous among health-conscious people. Let’s look at some apricot benefits, nutrition facts and side effects.
8 Benefits of Apricot (Khubani)
1. Keeps the Heart Healthy
Apricots are an excellent source of essential antioxidants like beta carotene and flavonoids. These antioxidants have been shown to be effective against heart diseases. It promotes heart health and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
The fruit is also filled with vitamin C and potassium that contribute to cardiovascular health. It reduces the bad LDL cholesterol and minimizes the risk of a stroke. If you are someone struggling with good heart health, you must include apricots in your daily diet.
2. Apricot Good for the Skin
Apricots have high water content, and thus it keeps your skin hydrated. But that’s not it! Apricots are filled with vitamins A, B, and C, which are necessary for healthy and glowing skin. Dry apricot benefits also include making the skin supple and moisturized. This is because apricots contain fatty acids that can make your skin smooth and work great against dry skin. Many skincare products use apricot extracts as their star ingredient since it helps to maintain skin health.
3. May Improve Gut Health
Apricots are rich in fiber, and that alone contributes to better gut health. It encourages good bacteria in the gut to grow and also improves digestion. Apricots have both dietary and soluble fiber that makes them easy to digest and aids in developing a healthy gut.
4. Improves Vision
One of the most important health benefits of dried apricots (Khubani) is that it promotes eye health. Apricots contain all the vitamins that are essential for improving vision. It is loaded with vitamin A, C, and E that protects the eye from any kind of damage, and helps the retina function at its best.
Apricots also reduce the risk of night blindness and support overall vision. Some nutrients present in the fruit also helps in keeping the risk of cataracts at bay.
5. Apricot Dry Fruit Benefits For Bone Health
Apricots help to make the bones strong and prevent bone-related issues. It contains a high amount of calcium and potassium, and both contribute to improved bone health. khubani benefits also include controlling the risk of Osteoporosis. Eating apricots regularly may help you fight bone disorders if you have any and manage bone density too.
6. Helps in Weight Management
Apricots are an incredible weight management fruit. People on a diet can easily add apricots to their dishes/salads and enjoy them guilt-free! It also serves as an excellent snack to munch in between meals without worrying about calories! And since it also speeds metabolism and improves digestion, it helps manage the weight all the more.
7. Good for Hair Growth
Apricot health benefits also include better hair growth and hair quality. It contains omega 3 fatty acids that protect the scalp and prevent hair loss or receding hairline. Apricots are also filled with Vitamin E, which is essential vitamin for healthy hair. There are many hair oils in the market that use apricot, given their benefits. It nourishes the scalp and keeps problems like dandruff, itchy scalp, and eczema at bay. If you’re someone dealing with hair issues, apricots can prove to your best friend!
8. May Protect Liver
Apricots are beneficial for liver health, and it works wonders for people dealing with a bad liver. The reason behind this is probably the high amount of antioxidants and essential vitamins. Apricots can reduce the risk of liver-related diseases and damage.
Apricot Nutrition Facts
Now that you are aware of the incredible Khubani benefits that Apricot have, let’s move on and understand Apricot nutrition facts. Apricots are nutritious and filled with essential minerals and vitamins.
| Essential Nutrients | Nutritional Value of Apricots Per 100g |
|---|---|
| Apricot Calories | 48 Cal |
| Carbs | 11 g |
| Total Sugar | 9.2 g |
| Fats | 0.4 g |
| Protein | 1.5 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Apricot Vitamin C | 10 mg |
| Vitamin E | 4.3 mg |
Apricot Side Effects
1. Digestive Problems
Though apricots are great for digestion and digestive health, over-eating apricots may lead to constipation and digestive issues. Remember not to over-consume apricots!
2. Nausea
If you over-consume apricots, the chances are that you might feel nauseous and want to throw up. This is a common apricot side effect, and the key here is to have apricots in moderation to avoid any such condition.
Conclusion
Apricots are a super healthy fruit, and they have a high amount of antioxidants that make them famous and beneficial. People across the world are exploring apricot benefits and including fruit in their daily diet. You can undoubtedly go ahead and buy apricots for you and your family’s good health!