Typically, sun-dried apricots are sweet fresh cut pieces of apricots that are prepared naturally. They are left for days to get dehydrated slowly. This way these super nutritious snacks can be stored without getting rotten.

You can add dried apricots to your yogurt, cereal, muffins, and muesli bars as they are full of nutrients. Highly rich in potassium, Vitamin C, E, and A, fiber, and iron, these superfoods are also a great source of energy.

The high fiber content in apricots is an aid for constipation. Also, they help promote good eye health, all thanks to the antioxidants(zeaxanthin and lutein) present in them. There are many more benefits these nutritious fruits provide. Read on!

Nutritional Profile Of Dried Apricots

Well, dried apricots are a nutritious superfood with plenty of nutrients. A half-cup contains:

  • Calories: 120
  • Dietary fiber: 5 grams
  • Carbohydrate: 31 grams
  • Potassium: 490 milligrams
  • Protein: 3 grams
  • Sugars: 22 grams

Benefits Of Consuming Dried Apricots

Helps Treat Anemia

Highly rich in iron makes dried apricots a good superfood to treat anemia. Anemia is a condition with not enough red blood cells in the blood. This is all because of the lack of hemoglobin (a molecule responsible for carrying oxygen in the blood). When there is a shortage of hemoglobin, it leads to a deficiency of iron.

Anemia can lead to blood loss, chronic inflammation, and chronic stomach bleeding. So, best to consume iron-rich foods. What can be a better option than the nutrient-dense dried apricots, a great iron source? They also consist of Vitamin C, which helps in enhancing iron absorption.

Relieves Constipation

The high fiber content in sun-dried apricots has a huge role in relieving constipation. The dietary fiber helps in making stool bulk smooth, facilitating its movement through the colon.

When fiber enters the intestine, it automatically releases short-chain fatty acids such as acetate, butyrate, propionate, etc. These acids change the entire gut microbiome and lower the luminal pH. As a result, it enhances stool consistency, mobility, and quantity. Hence, relieving constipation.

Better Eye Health

As dried apricots are rich in beta-carotene, vitamin A, and a few more carotenoids, these superfoods excellently support good eye health. The potent antioxidant, vitamin A plays a significant role in eliminating free radicals and maintaining cells and tissues. It prevents many eye-related disorders.

Lutein in dried apricots promotes lens and retina health. On the other hand, vitamin E and carotenoids nurture the entire vision system. Moreover, the nutrients in apricots also lower the chances of developing cataracts and macular degeneration.

Controls High Blood Pressure

Dried apricots consist of a great number of magnesium levels which are very beneficial in maintaining blood pressure. When these superfoods are consumed, their soothing effects lower the inflammation response.

Besides this, magnesium also exercises the dilating effects on the blood arteries, smoothening blood transportation. As a consequence, it regulates blood pressure.

Enhances Bone Mineral Density

Cases of low bone mineral density are commonly found in post-menopausal women and aging people. This can cause several bone-related problems such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and many more.

Having dried apricots full of boron helps improve bone mineral density. So, consume them in moderate amounts and enhance your bone health.

Better Digestion

As dried apricots provide a sufficient amount of dietary fiber, they are useful in enhancing the digestive tract. The total fiber content is the combination of both soluble and insoluble fiber.

The role of soluble fibers is to help the digestive tract to retain enough quantity of water and facilitates the growth of good bacteria. On the other hand, insoluble fibers are ideal for improving the levels of healthy gut bacteria.

Maintains Cholesterol Levels

Enough serving of nutritious dried apricots helps lower bad cholesterol levels. Also, these superfoods are best for preventing cardiovascular diseases.

The power to lower the bad cholesterol level is all because of the high fiber content in apricots. In addition, fiber reduces the accumulation of excess body fat in the body. A good cholesterol level decreases the risk of heart disease. So, add dried apricots to your daily diet and maintain the cholesterol.

Improves Respiratory Health

As we have already mentioned above, dried apricots are a good source of magnesium. It, along with blood pressure, also improves respiratory health. This potent nutrient is effective in relaxing the muscles and nerves.

Moreover, magnesium even has anti-inflammatory properties which prevent the inflammation of the cells in the respiratory tract, making it easy to breathe.

Aid In Stomach Burn

When you eat heavy meals, often it leads to uncontrollable stomach burn. Such a condition is temporary and you can treat it by having dried apricots. These superfoods excrete toxins from the body, relieving the burning sensation.

Summing Up

Packed with many nutrients like fibers, antioxidants, vitamins, iron, etc., dried apricots provide multiple benefits. From improving eye and digestive health to maintaining the cholesterol level, these superfoods do many wonders.

We hope you have clearly understood all the amazing health benefits the dried apricots provide. When you crave a snack that should be both delicious and filling, apricots are the best go-for-option. Also, you can add them to your main meals, salads, and yogurt.