What are the Health Benefits of Apricot?

Apricot one of the star fruits of summer. And it would be wrong to deprive yourself because it has many health benefits of apricot and can be enjoyed in both sweet and savory versions.

Apricot, a good-looking ally

It is rich in vitamin A, especially in its skin, two apricots provide about 34% of daily needs (according to Ciqual table of nutritional composition of food). "Vitamin A promotes the hydration of the epidermis," says Audrey Aveaux, dietician-nutritionist. In summer, it also protects the skin from the sun and activates melanin for a nice tan. And all this, in a natural way.

A remineralising fruit

Apricot is one of the richest fruits in minerals and trace elements. It provides eleven (potassium, phosphorus, copper, iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, iodine, sodium, zinc and selenium). Remineralizing your body to work well is important, especially in the summer because you sweat more, eliminating minerals.

Potassium is the most represented mineral: from 11 to 13% of the daily needs for two apricots (according to the Coequal table). "It is essential for the regulation of blood pressure," says the dietitian.

Just after copper comes: between 7 and 9% (according to the table Coequal) daily intake for two fruits. Copper is important for stimulating natural defenses. Other minerals and trace elements provide less than 2.5% of daily needs.

Apricot regulates transit

Apricot provides between 1.3 g and 2.5 g1 of fiber per 100 g, two apricots. "Its fibers, including pectin, regulate intestinal transit, which avoids constipation problems, says Audrey Aveaux. Its acidulous flavor also stimulates digestive secretions. "

An anti-aging food

The apricot contains phenols (caffeic and ferulic acids ...) and flavonoids (catechol, epicatechol, quercetol ...) which give it antioxidant properties, thus protecting the cells of the body from premature aging. "He has a good Orac score, which measures the antioxidant activity of a food," adds the dietician. That of apricot is 1,100 mg per 100 g (source: USDA Database). Some of these substances also have an anti-inflammatory action.

And the apricot dry? It is 5 times more energy than fresh apricot: it brings 271 kcal to 100 g (10 to 12 fruits), against 50 kcal / 100 g (2 to 3 fruits depending on size) for fresh apricot. It is the richest dry fruit in potassium with a content of 1.09 g per 100 g. It is ideal for athletes to fight against cramps thanks to its potassium content, this mineral is essential for neuromuscular function.

Precautions health before eating an apricot 

• In case of allergy to birch pollen, apricot can cause itching, burns in the mouth, lips, throat.
• In case of intolerance to sulphites: food additives (from E 220 to E 228) are used to prevent dried apricots from turning brown. They cause headaches, a feeling of tightness of breathing or noisy breathing, run nose and cry eyes.

How to choose and preserve apricots

Be careful, the apricot does not ripen once plucked! Ripe, it gives off a delicious scent.

• The Bergeron is melting and balanced between its sweet and tangy flavor.
• The Orangé de Provence is very fragrant and very sweet.
• The Orangered is juicy and very fragrant.
• Bergarouge is a big apricot, very juicy and very sweet.

The apricots can be kept for three days in a fruit bowl, away from the sun, and up to five days in the crisper of the fridge.

How to cook apricot? In salty version, it accompanies spinach, foie gras salad. It serves as a garnish for roast veal or pork. On the sweet side, he appreciates citrus fruits in foil, hazelnuts, walnuts and almonds in a compote, or pan-fried, or stuffed and baked.