Dried apricots are rich in important nutrients and are real all-rounders. Here you can find out why dried fruit is so healthy and what you should look out for when buying it.
Dried apricots as a source of nutrients
Apricots are healthy fruits anyway. However, after they have been dried, the nutrient content is up to five times higher. Because when the water is removed, the mineral concentration in the fruit also increases.
Dried apricots contain large amounts of important vitamins and minerals:
Vitamin A (retinol) is good for your bones, eyes, skin and mucous membranes. The dried fruits contain so much of it that just three pieces of them can cover a large part of your daily requirement. They also contain a lot of beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A (hence also called provitamin A). It is not only responsible for the bright orange color of apricots, but is also converted into vitamin A in the body.
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) promotes concentration and the body’s own oxygen supply. It stimulates the metabolism and thus ensures that you feel fit. Dried apricots also contain many other B vitamins (vitamins B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6).
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is of great importance for our immune system. It also strengthens the connective tissue and ensures that iron is better absorbed in the intestine.
Potassium regulates blood pressure and cell growth. It also promotes muscle growth, which is why the mineral is very important for athletes. Hardly any food contains as much potassium as dried apricots.
Iron is important for the immune system, energy metabolism and oxygen transport. Women in particular often suffer from iron deficiency.
Where do the dried fruits come from?
The fruits probably originally come from Armenia, which is also indicated by the Latin name Prunus armeniaca. The apricots we eat are mainly grown in Turkey, Uzbekistan, Iran and Italy. Depending on the region, they are in season between May and September. The dried apricots are sold all year round and over 90% of them come from the Malatya region of Turkey. There the apricots are harvested, pitted and dried under the sun.
When buying, you should make sure that your apricots are organic. Then they were not sulphurized. You can tell by the color, because unsulphured apricots are brownish and no longer bright orange. Although the addition of sulfur preserves the beautiful color of the fruit, it destroys vitamins and can be harmful to health. The addition of sulfur is particularly dangerous for asthmatics, as it can trigger asthma attacks.
Enjoy dried apricots in many ways
The dried fruits can refine many dishes. For example, you can mix them in your muesli or use them in muesli bars. But they also taste good in a colorful salad with fresh vegetables and nuts.
In oriental cuisine, dried apricots are used not only for sweet but also for savory dishes, such as in a delicious couscous salad. Of course, the dried fruits are also suitable as a snack between meals and are therefore an alternative to unhealthy sweets. The snack is often popular with athletes in particular because it provides energy and fills you up. Like other dried fruits, dried apricots are also considered a suitable food during a detox regimen.
