In winter it is the orange that brings us back the sun, the orange is the emblem of fruit that radiates health from all the segments. Orange all year round? In a certain sense, but only in a certain sense, it is possible … In summer, however, the orange is leii: theapricot. Not just for the color. But also because it too is a real cocktail of substances that make us good …
We have already learned how to choose and keep them. Now let's find out what they are beneficial properties of this fruit which is very rich. And let's start right from what gives them the beautiful color: beta carotene, what gives us a textbook tan. Its main function is to antioxidant, which counteracts free radicals – those that cause stress and oxidative damage associated with the onset of many diseases and cellular aging. Free radicals are the cause of the so-called "bad cholesterol".
Like all carotenoids, it is a precursor of the vitamin A, retinol, which the body converts precisely into the aforementioned vitamin in case of need. Particularly valuable for the view, it also serves the immune system and to "feed" the tissues.
We remain on vitamins: apricots also excel in C vitamin and then B1, B2 etc. etc. They are then rich in lycopene, a substance found in foods of plant origin that also belongs to carotenoids and with very strong antioxidant properties. And they are not the only constituents of these qualities rich … Together with lutein, another nutrient well present in the apricot, protect the eyes, in particular the retina from the damage of ultraviolet rays and together with all the other antioxidants prevent the onset of skin blemishes due to sun exposure and advancing age.
Don't eat apricots at all is good for the skin… If the fruit associated with a smooth and velvety complexion is usually the fishing, in reality apricot is his number one summer ally. And speaking of summer, vitamin A stimulates the production of melanin, responsible for tanning, in fact,and skin protection.
In addition to the fresh fruit, apricot oil is used for the skin, derived from its stones, which has elasticizing, protective and emollient properties. However, the fresh fruit can be used for do-it-yourself masks to treat the skin, revitalize it and fight cutaneous spots, even simply blending the apricots and spreading the mixture on the skin, maybe cooler than the fridge. In the cream version, to prepare the skin for the sun, it can be mixed with milk and maybe a little almond oil.
Rich in water (86%) they bring many and various minerals (calcium, phosphorus etc.) and above all very potassium, essential to the body to support most vital functions, but whose deficiency is also linked to fatigue and depression: for people with chronic fatigue, an abundant consumption of this fruit is highly recommended.
Last but not least: potassium helps with the problems of cellulite retention since – together with magnesium – it is the purifying mineral that most helps to dispose of it.
The apricots are the fruit that contains more carotene and potassium absolute.
Dietary fiber, of which they are well supplied, helps the digestive process, the sense of satiety and therefore weight loss. In all this, the calorie intake of this fruit is one of the lowest of the category: a pound of apricots does not even contain 100 kcal. Despite the few calories, it is a fruit very nutritious. Thanks to the sorbitol they contain (a natural sweetener then used also on an industrial level) they also have slight laxative effects.
Regarding fertility, it is true that apricots are rich in minerals indispensable for the production of sex hormones: in ancient China women who wanted to have a child ate a lot of them …
Carola Traverso Saibante
June 2017
updated to July 2019
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