Madeline Adams
Apricots are considered healthy – but not the whole fruit. Why is that, what should you pay attention to when eating and what nutrients are in apricots?
Apricots are healthy because they are packed with nutrients. However, there are also restrictions on consumption – especially when it comes to the seeds.
The apricot has the botanical name Prunus armeniaca and is also called Marille or Malete in various regions of the German-speaking world. The apricot is now available in almost every sunny country on earth. Many apricots are also harvested in Germany in the summer months. However, a large part of the fruit that we consume comes from countries such as Greece, Italy, or Spain.
Why is the apricot so healthy?
A look at the nutrients proves that apricots are healthy: Not only do they contain a lot of immune-boosting vitamin C, but also provitamin A, which is contained in the form of beta-carotene, helps the body with healthy cell growth and protects against harmful UV radiation. But also large amounts of phosphorus, iron, potassium, and magnesium make the apricot a real mineral bomb. Consumption has a positive effect on nerves, muscles, blood, and the circulatory system, among other things.
Nutrients are also contained in the dried version of the fruit. Although the fruit contains fewer vitamins due to the drying process, the small power packs have significantly more minerals than fresh fruit. In addition, the dietary fibers it contains stimulate the intestines.
If you want to lose weight, fresh apricots are more suitable than dried fruit, since drying increases their calorie content. Alternatively, you can simply eat fewer dried apricots to avoid consuming too much sugar.
An overview of the ingredients of apricots and their effects:
- Vitamin C: strengthens the immune system and promotes the absorption of iron
- Iron: supports the transport of oxygen in the blood
- Vitamin B5: also known as pantothenic acid, supports the supply of oxygen to the body
- Potassium: stabilizes blood pressure, promotes healthy cell growth
- Beta-carotene: provitamin A – is converted into vitamin A in the body and is crucial for cell development
- Calcium: strengthens bones and teeth
- Phosphorus: is involved in metabolic processes, among other things
- Magnesium: is important for nerve and muscle cells, among other things
Apricot: Only the pulp and sweet kernels are healthy
Again and again one hears that in addition to the pulp, the stone of the apricot should also be healthy. It is consumed by some people, especially for cancer prophylaxis. However, this is not a good idea: the substance amygdalin is contained in the bitter kernels. This is converted into toxic hydrocyanic acid during the digestion process.
If larger amounts are eaten, serious poisoning can result, which can be fatal. However, one or two kernels are usually not a problem for the body, but the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment advises against eating the kernels.
On the other hand, sweet apricot kernels are considered harmless, because they do not contain the problematic substance at all or at least only in very small quantities. Persipan and sweet apricot milk are also made from almond-shaped seeds.
Buying apricots – where can you get the sweet stone fruit?
Fresh fruits are available between May and September, but some supermarkets and discounters also offer them in the winter months. This fruit, however, is a product that has been flown in from overseas. In Germany, the fruits mainly ripen in July – so if you value seasonal and regional food, you should grab them then. In summer you will find apricots in the supermarket that have not lost any of their healthy nutrients.
