Dried apricot benefits and harm to the body. The benefits of dried apricots for weight loss

Dried apricots are a type of dried fruit obtained from apricot fruit dried.

To give the product a marketable appearance, manufacturers often use technologies by adding chemical components that adversely affect the human body. Mostly sulfur dioxide. Benefit and possible harm dried apricots for the body is preserved when preparing the product in the old fashioned way with laying out the fruits in the sun for a week.

There are four varieties of the product, depending on the method of preparation - table, first grade, premium and extra.

Apricot is dried along with the bone. Its main difference is small fruits, second only in size. If moisture gets on them during drying, the product becomes more dark color and distinctive taste.

The benefits and harms of dried apricots for the body depend on the method of drying - with or without the use of chemicals, making it faded in gray- the presence will fill the fruits with a bright orange color. This is usually done during mass production.

Dried apricots, cooked natural way, has a brownish color. The presence of an unusual taste, wine, indicates the use of low-quality initial fruits or the assumption of a violation in technology.

The product contains vitamins - C, A, BB and B1, 2, 5. Mineral components in the form of potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, manganese, copper and cobalt. Protein in fruits per 100 grams contains 5.2 g, 51 carbohydrates and only 0.3 grams of fat. At the same time, the carbohydrate composition has fructose with glucose, which is easily absorbed by the body. This property allows you to use dry fruit in limited quantities, even for diabetics.

Dried apricots contain ash, fiber, starch and organic acids.

8 useful properties of dried apricots

Low calorie content - 215/100 g gives dried apricots a benefit for the body for people who follow weight, while filling them with all nutrients without adding weight, thanks to complex carbohydrates in composition. Dry fruit is useful:

Removes harmful substances from the body, including heavy metals, radionuclides and other chemical compounds.
Dried apricots are good for the heart with the potassium they contain.
Dry fruit helps to recover faster after surgery, replenishing lost iron stores.
Dried apricots contain more fiber than fresh fruit 9 times. In order for the digestive tract to work normally, a couple of handfuls eaten per day is enough.
The benefits of dried apricots for the body extend to the kidneys with the pancreas and thyroid gland.
The product reduces the negative effect of antibiotics used during illness.
The rich antioxidant composition prevents the development of cancer.
Helps to solve skin and vascular problems.

Dried apricots are useful for cardiac activity by cleansing blood vessels, improving blood supply to organs and systems, prevents atherosclerotic development and normalizes blood pressure.

Dried apricots are useful for men in combination with other foods with the ability to enhance sexual desire and improve potency.

Raisins with dried apricots

You can boost your immune system with healthy recipe, which includes dried apricots with raisins.

Takes 1 glass walnuts, raisins, dried apricots, and one lemon. Dried apricots with raisins are washed and dried. The nuts are sorted, the lemon is poured with boiling water, followed by cutting into slices with the removal of seeds. Everything is twisted with a meat grinder, honey is added and mixed. The resulting mass is placed in any container and stored in the refrigerator.

The composition is taken by an adult twice a day, 1 tbsp. l. half an hour before meals, gradually increasing the dosage. Children's body 1 tsp is enough. also 2 times a day.

The combination of raisins with dried apricots is useful for pregnant women and nursing mothers, protecting against anemia, strengthening the central nervous system, relieving insomnia and strengthening the heart muscle.

Dried apricots in folk medicine

Traditional healers have long used dried apricots to normalize the functionality of all organs. human body. For men and women, dried apricots are useful in their ability to restore the digestive tract.

To get rid of constipation, you need to pour boiling water over dried fruits in the evening and leave them all night in any container, covered with a lid. In the morning, fruits are eaten on an empty stomach. In a month, the work of the intestines is normalized, no longer disturbing the person.

Women who regularly consume dried apricots benefit by removing bad cholesterol and harmful ingredients. Vessels are endowed with elasticity and strength, preventing thrombosis.

Vision improves, and the skin retains youth and beauty. Problems of the kidneys and urogenital area are solved with a decoction or infusion using dried apricots, due to the diuretic effect.

Dried apricots are useful for women preventive action against the development of malignant tumors.

Dried fruit has positive properties helping with diabetes, avitaminosis, impaired work thyroid gland and other violations. Just 100 grams of dried apricots per day, not exposed to heat, is enough.

For weight-conscious women, dried apricots are a substitute for sweets. The presence of glucose with fructose in the composition does not increase insulin levels in the blood, preventing excess weight from being deposited.

Pregnancy

Dried apricots are useful during pregnancy with a mild laxative effect, relieving constipation. The product prevents anemia by replenishing iron stores in the body.

Large acid, mineral and vitamin content beneficial effect on the heart activity of mother and baby.

Dried apricots are useful during pregnancy for women suffering from high blood pressure. Iodine in the composition supports the activity of the thyroid gland. Fructose with glucose helps better job brain.

Dried apricots are harmful in large quantities ah, disrupting work digestive organs. daily rate- 150 grams. And it is best to use it before 16 hours - at this time the body absorbs all the nutrients as much as possible.

Harmful effects are endowed with dried fruits processed chemical elements that increase the shelf life of the product and improve appearance. It is not recommended to use dried apricots for people with low blood pressure due to the ability of dried fruit to lower it.

The contraindication applies to the use of dried apricot fruits in food in the presence of chronic gastrointestinal ailments, so as not to aggravate the situation.

diabetics in without fail consult with the attending physician and receive from him permission to use dried apricots. Obesity is also a contraindication, but in some cases nutritionists recommend fasting days based on this product.

And, of course, you can’t eat dried apricots for people with individual intolerance product, manifested in the form of a rash, itching and swelling.

Culinary uses of dried apricots

Most often, dried apricots are added to desserts and muffins. This product goes well with other dried fruits - raisins, and, including nuts.

Adding dried apricots to cereal porridge fills them with even greater benefits and taste. Gourmets use dried fruit in cooking meat dishes and side dishes. In Uzbekistan, dried apricots are added to pilaf.

This product is suitable for preparations for the winter in the form of preserves, jams and compotes. Heat treatment, of course, destroys most of the useful properties, but comes to replace great taste and high spirits.

Dried apricots are considered an ambiguous product when it comes to dietary nutrition. There are various conflicting opinions. Some believe that this product should be categorically abandoned by everyone who wants to lose weight, others express the opposite point of view, and still others choose the middle path. Most likely, it is he who can be considered correct, since in this case the principle of moderation and reasonableness is observed.

Dried apricots in the diet

The effect of dried apricots on health and weight loss

First of all, it should be noted that dried apricots are a healthy product. It contains whole complex biologically active elements that contribute to normal operation heart and blood vessels, strengthen muscle and bone tissue, provide good nutrition tissues and give a boost of energy. Such dried fruits help cleanse the body and stimulate intestinal motility. They are great for snacking, providing fast advance feelings of satiety.

But even taking into account all these useful qualities, a natural one arises - is it possible to eat dried apricots with a diet, because it is quite high-calorie product. The answer will be positive, but ambiguous. The use of dried apricots during a diet may occur. But in order to benefit for yourself, while avoiding gaining excess weight, it is important to follow certain rules.

Rules for the use of dried apricots in a diet

The main rule of the use of dried apricots is the observance of moderation. And it concerns not only diet food. Even if you do not set yourself the task of losing weight or keeping it at a certain level, you should not abuse dried fruits. In addition to the fact that you risk adding a few extra pounds, you also face problems with the intestines. When dieting, you need to limit yourself to no more than 20 - 30 g of dried apricots per day.

The second rule determines the time of eating dried fruits. Since dried apricots are rich in carbohydrates and high in calories, you need to allow the body to burn the energy received from it. It is very easy to do this. Eat dried fruits in the morning. Moreover, it will be most effective to use it as a dessert after dinner.

Dried apricots provide body cleansing and excretion excess fluid. And these processes directly affect weight loss. But in order for these qualities of dried apricots to be fully manifested, it is important to drink enough water - at least 2 liters per day.

By following these simple rules You don't have to worry about putting on extra pounds. If at the same time your diet is balanced and healthy, then be sure that your figure will remain in order. If you want to lose weight and are looking for an effective diet in which you can use dried apricots, then pay attention to the options below.

Is it possible to eat dried apricots with a diet: you can definitely eat dried fruits in reasonable amounts, as they have a positive effect on health and help to lose weight

Diets with dried apricots

Unloading day with dried apricots for weight loss

A great way to maintain a normal figure and cleanse the body is to arrange a fasting day for yourself on dried apricots. It can be done once a week or two. It will help restore balance in the body after overeating. There are two popular options for fasting days.

The first one is the most strict. The bottom line is that you need to eat only 200 g of dried apricots per day and nothing more. It is allowed to drink tea without sugar in unlimited quantities, optionally adding lemon and mineral water to it.

Second option unloading day based on the use of puree. It only takes two ingredients to make it:

Dried apricots - 300 g;
Freshly squeezed apricot juice or apricot puree - 200 g

Combine the products by grinding them with a blender. The resulting dish will be yours. daily ration.

It doesn't matter which option you choose, the rules for following a diet will be the same. You should eat at regular intervals, dividing the daily ration into 5 parts. And the second point is to drink at least 2 liters of fluid per day.

Keep in mind that dried apricots have a laxative effect. Try to spend a fasting day at home. And remember that such an extreme diet should only last 1 day. If you have problems with the digestive system, consult your doctor.

Strict buckwheat diet with dried apricots for weight loss

Dried apricots can be useful for anyone who chooses a strict mono-diet on buckwheat. They are not suitable for everyone, and sometimes cause a feeling of weakness, dizziness and other unpleasant symptoms. If you understand that buckwheat diet given to you with great difficulty, soften it by adding 5-7 pieces of dried apricots to your daily diet.

Diet on dried fruits and nuts for weight loss

Such a diet is quite strict, so it is not suitable for everyone. If you have any chronic disorders or digestive problems, be sure to consult your doctor.

The diet should last no more than 5 days. Its meaning is extremely simple. You will need to make a mixture by combining dried apricots, raisins, prunes and two types of nuts in equal proportions to your taste. The result should be 500 g of the composition. It is this amount that you need to eat during the day in small portions after an equal amount of time. You should have 5-6 meals in total. At the same time, be sure to drink at least 2 liters of fluid. It is best to use clean still water without additives. If this diet option suits you, then you can lose up to 4 kg of excess weight in 5 days.

So, we found out that you can eat dried apricots on a diet. But it is important to take into account its features and follow simple rules. Use dried apricots wisely, and you will be able to maintain normal not only your figure, but also your health.

Going on any diet is not an easy task, because you need to give up most of your favorite and delicious meals. With great difficulty, most losing weight endures the absence of sweets. In this matter, dried apricots for weight loss are a real salvation, because healthy dried fruit from apricots does not contain as many calories as cakes or sweets. This is far from the only reason why this product may be included in the diet.

What is dried apricots

When the fruits of apricots are spent in the scorching sun for about 8 days, they are dried and acquire a unique taste - a beloved sweet called dried apricots is obtained. The pits are removed from the fruits before drying. Dark-colored products are considered more natural. It appears when the apricots are dried naturally without any additives.

For the manufacture of dried apricots choose large fresh fruits. In order to get 1 kilogram of dried fruits, you will need up to 4 kilograms of apricots. Türkiye, Armenia, Uzbekistan, and China specialize in this best of all. It is interesting that Uzbek dried fruits differ from others in a natural way production. Only there they are dried in the sun, and not processed industrial way.

Beneficial features

Dried apricots - useful product. During drying, it retains almost all vitamins and minerals. More than other substances it contains potassium, magnesium, there are also iron, calcium and phosphorus, vitamin B12. A few dried fruits will saturate the body with a daily intake of potassium and iron, which cannot be said about fresh apricots. Dried apricots will help weakened hair, nails and skin. The substances contained in it help with:

constipation, as they have a laxative effect;
obesity
problems with the stomach and intestines;
hypertension;
anemia;
edema;
immunodeficiency.

calories

The main question that interests a person on a diet is energy value product. Dried apricots in this regard does not have very suitable indicators, because 100 grams contain 232 kcal. This is too much for someone who is on a diet. When compared with the calorie content of other sweets, such as cakes or pastries, then preference is given to dried fruit. For this reason, it is chosen during diets, when you are unbearably hungry for sweets. rich in carbohydrates, it saturates the body, and fructose and glucose help the brain work.

Is it possible to eat dried apricots when losing weight

The main problem of any diet is that sweets should be minimized or abandoned altogether, so is it possible to eat dried apricots on a diet - a logical question. Without glucose, a person is more prone to depression and irritability, which is why he is drawn to break loose. The lack of sweets is the most common cause breakdowns during unloading diets.

Dried apricots for weight loss helps just in such cases. It won't break your diet, but it will help your digestion if you allow yourself to eat a few pieces of dried fruit a day. In addition, it will increase the content of glucose in the blood, and with it the mood. When you feel unbearably hungry, dried fruit will help again: 2-3 pieces, washed down with a glass of water, will become your dessert. In a few minutes, they will relieve you of hunger and energize, because they contain carbohydrates.

How much dried apricots can you eat per day

Exist different recommendations how much dried apricots should be consumed in a diet. It depends on what mode you are currently following. If you want to have a snack with dried fruits as a sweet, then let them be no more than 30 grams per day. If you follow a diet, the main component of which is dried apricots, then the amount increases to 200-300 grams, which must be consumed in equal portions throughout the day.

Dried apricots for the night

The more high-calorie the product, the earlier in time it is necessary to eat it so that the calories do not “sink” in the body at night. Same with dried apricots. It is best to use it in the morning or up to two in the afternoon. In this case, all the carbohydrates will have time to be used up until the evening and will not give you the opportunity to recover. Do not forget that we eat dried fruit as a substitute for other sweets, so you need to exclude sugar from the diet, no matter what time you enjoy dried apricots.

Unloading day on dried apricots

Any organism will not interfere with a fasting day, which will make it possible digestive tract relax. It is useful to choose dried apricots for him to activate bowel cleansing and the removal of excess fluid. The rules for unloading are simple. In the evening before the fasting day, steam about 300 grams of dried fruits in 400 grams of water. In the morning, you need to drink water from them, and divide the fruits into portions and eat them during the day. In addition to dried apricots for weight loss, drink as much liquid as possible, green tea, in order to wash the intestines well and not get fat.

Diet with dried apricots

Losing weight on dried apricots is not a difficult task, but a diet with this delicacy will make you gather your will into a fist. Duration this method weight loss - 5 days, during which the body must be cleansed. The result will be a loss of 5 kilograms of excess weight. The entire period will have to eat only dried apricots for weight loss. The menu is very simple: take 300 grams of dried fruits, rinse, let stand in water, then pour apricot juice(0.5 l) and grind in a blender. Puree is divided into equal parts and eaten in 4 doses.

There is another version of the diet, more sparing. In addition to dried fruits, he allows the use of other foods. It is important to count calories. For women, their number should not exceed 1500 kcal per day, for men no more than 1900. You can choose dishes at your discretion, as long as they are low-fat. Keep the menu in mind following recommendations:

Breakfast. 70 grams of dried apricots, optionally tea or coffee, but sugar cannot be added.
Dinner. 50 grams of dried fruit, diet soup and no more than 100 grams of low-fat boiled meat. Meat can be alternated with fish.
Dinner. Porridge with dried fruit (50 grams). On other days, you can replace porridge with cottage cheese.

Video: dried apricots for weight loss

Topics about the benefits of dried apricots and apricots for the body are always popular. But the dangers of this product are much less talked about. And in vain. Because Negative influence available. And you should definitely know about it before including the product in the diet.

What it is?

Dried apricots are the dried half of an apricot. Quite often, under this name, they sell kaisa, which is a whole dried apricot from which the stone has been removed.

The presence of a bone is the difference between apricots and dried apricots.

There is another kind dried apricots like ashtak. This is a whole dried fruit, from which the stone was first removed and then returned back, but already in a peeled form.

In this article we will talk about how dried apricots are useful or harmful. However, everything that has been said fully describes the benefits and harms of apricots or kaisa. Just the name "dried apricots" is more understandable to most people.

Compound

The calorie content of dried apricots per 100 grams is 241 kcal. This product contains:

7.3 g fiber, which corresponds to 29% daily allowance;
72% of the daily dose of vitamin A;
33% potassium;
22% vitamin E;
17% copper;
15% iron;
13% niacin;
12% manganese;
8% magnesium;
7% phosphorus and vitamin B6.

Also chemical composition dried apricots includes vitamins K, B2, pantothenic acid, folates, calcium, zinc, selenium. Present in dried fruit and antioxidants of the carotenoid group.

From fresh fruit dried apricot distinguishes:

lack of vitamins C and B1, which decompose upon drying;
4 times more high content carbohydrates and calories;
more high concentrations vitamins A, E, potassium, fiber.

In addition, the properties of dried apricots are often not due to its natural composition, but with those additives that many manufacturers use today when drying apricots.

So quite often they use sugar. As a result, the calorie content of apricots, kaisa and other varieties of dried apricot fruits increases markedly, as does the amount of harmful carbohydrates in their composition.

Another compound that is present in the product of most manufacturers today is sulfur dioxide, which is necessary to preserve bright color dried fruit, improving its presentation.

Beneficial features

Improved bowel function. Dried apricots weaken, as it contains a lot of plant fibers. Nowadays, such activity of dried fruit is very useful, since the scourge modern man leading sedentary image life, are chronic constipation.
Support intestinal microflora . Vegetable fiber in the composition of the dried fruit, the main form of which is, nourishes beneficial microflora intestines. It helps how to normalize work digestive system, and improve the functioning of the whole organism as a whole, for example, increase immunity.
Saturation of the body with potassium. The lack of this trace element leads to the occurrence of hypertension, osteoporosis, urolithiasis and many other serious ailments. Many people do not even think about how much they lack potassium. They try to limit consumption table salt while potassium intake should be increased. Don't take sodium out. One of the important explanations for why apricots, kaisa, etc. are useful is the presence of large amounts of potassium in them.
Protection of the heart and blood vessels. Dried apricots for the heart is not only potassium, which predicts hypertension and arrhythmia, but also fiber and antioxidants that improve lipid profile and reduce chronic inflammation in the vessels.
Treatment and prevention of anemia. Useful properties of dried apricots for prevention iron deficiency anemia associated not only with the fact that it contains a lot of iron. But also with the presence of copper, which is necessary for the complete absorption of iron from food.
vision support. Vitamins A and E are two key bioactive substances needed to maintain visual acuity. And dried fruit provides these compounds.
Saturation of the body antioxidants and fighting chronic inflammation. Most serious illnesses, such as cancer or atherosclerosis, are based on negative impact free radicals on cell membranes and their genetic apparatus. As well as chronic sluggish inflammation, which often occurs precisely because of free radicals. Dried apricots are useful in that they give a person a large number of antioxidants (vitamin A is also an antioxidant) and thus saves it from many diseases.

Can you eat while losing weight?

Dried apricots and apricots have beneficial properties for weight loss. These dried fruits:

improve the functioning of the intestinal microflora, which is useful for weight loss, since people with overweight body composition intestinal biocenosis always changed;
give the body a lot;
provide it with antioxidants that help fight chronic inflammation, which is one of the causes of the accumulation of excess body fat.

However, dried apricots for weight loss are not the most a good choice. Moreover, due to several of its properties.

The product has an intense sweet taste. All sweets, even those with no calories at all, such as stevia, are bad for weight loss. The use of a product that has a sweet taste negatively affects the brain, forcing a person to eat more and more, including other sweets. At the same time, the rejection of sweets, which is absolutely necessary for healthy sustainable weight loss, becomes almost impossible.
Dried apricots have a fairly high calorie content - 241 kcal per 100 grams. It would not be so scary if the product saturates well. But it doesn't have those properties. Since it contains few compounds that a person really needs for active life- proteins and fats. And at the same time it has a sweet taste that whets the appetite.
Dried fruit contains a lot of fructose, which is an isocaloric substance. That is, it stimulates weight gain, even though it does not overload the body with calories. However, its metabolism is such that all of it turns into fat.

Listed bad influence does not mean that dried apricots for weight loss are so dangerous that they are under complete ban. It can be included in the diet, but only in small quantities.

How to use?

Dried apricots, apricots, kaisu should be eaten in small quantities. This is the basic rule for the use of these dried fruits, following which makes it possible to extract from them maximum benefit and minimize potential harm.

Anyone who wants to eat right, and even more so strives to lose weight, should remember the following.

Dried fruit gives the body a tremendous boost of energy. This is good for high energy consumption, that is, with an active lifestyle, intensive physical labor. But if you are just sitting in an armchair at the computer, and all your physical activity limited to 15-20 minutes of walking a day, you will not be able to burn off all the energy that you get from the product. And, therefore, it will become fat.
Dried fruits demonstrate their useful, for example, antioxidant, activity only when they are consumed in small quantities. Since with a massive inclusion in the diet, a lot of sugars enter the body. And the harm of these compounds often outweighs the benefits of healing components.

How much can you eat per day?

It is impossible to accurately, in pieces, indicate how much dried apricots can and should be eaten per day. It's not a cure, it's ordinary product nutrition. That is, some strict dosage has not been developed for him.

If you do calculations based on the amount of fructose in this product, it turns out that:

people who want to lose weight, have a pre-diabetic condition, metabolic syndrome, can eat a little less than 1 glass;
healthy individuals - 1.5 cups.

However, in this case, the calculation based on fructose is not completely correct. Since dried apricots, apricots, kaisa are sweets. And they provide negative impact on the brain, regardless of what compounds are included in their composition.

Therefore, if you eat a glass of dried fruits every day, you will constantly feed your brain with sweets. And he will demand more and more and more.

Therefore, if you really want to switch to a healthy diet, you must limit daily consumption dried apricots with a maximum of half a glass. And then, provided that this is the only sweet you eat in a day.

If you eat other sweets, pastries, etc., then this amount should be reduced.

The optimal dose per day is 5-6 pieces.

Rules for inclusion in the diet

Dried apricots cannot be combined with easily digestible carbohydrates. Including with quick cereals, even if the packages of such foods indicate that they are “whole grains”. Also with honey.
You can not eat for dessert after the main meal. Dried apricot is a dense snack, not a light dessert.
Instead of carbohydrates, dried fruits should be combined with fats and proteins. Especially with fats as they aid absorption fat soluble vitamin And, which is so much in this dried fruit. Therefore, it can be added to natural fatty cottage cheese. Also eaten with nuts. Just do not forget that dried apricots + nuts are a huge boost of energy. And if you have decided that your body needs it, then you must understand how you will burn it.
Dried apricots are good to take with you on those days when you will not have the opportunity to dine normally, and you will need a lot of energy. But as they can not be used. Since this will complicate the process of burning body fat and make the exercise useless if you are exercising specifically for weight loss.
Dried apricots can be used when, which is shown to those who train for sports achievements, and not for weight loss.

How to choose, store and prepare for use?

Selection rules

Dried fruit manufacturers use various tricks to make their product look as attractive as possible. And these tricks do not add any benefit to the product.

The main thing to pay attention to when choosing dried apricots is its color. The brighter, yellower, the more likely only that it has been treated by various chemical compounds.

Natural dried fruit is usually dark, shriveled, often dusty. Unattractive. But it is he who is useful.

Also note the smell of dried apricots. In no case should they smell of gasoline or smoke.

How to store dried apricots at home?

It is best to place dried fruit in a cool, ventilated dark place. IN modern apartments such places are not easy to find. Therefore, the following storage options are used:

in a closed cabinet, located away from the battery, in glass jar with lid or plastic container;
on the shelf of the refrigerator, also in a jar or container;
in the freezer in a freezer bag or plastic container.

The drier dried apricots, apricots or kaisa, the longer they are stored. Sometimes there are options that are not completely dried, but only dried. They are softer. often have the best marketable condition. But they are stored much less.

If you purchased a soft, only dried, product, store it in the freezer. Otherwise, he runs the risk of quickly becoming moldy.

Can you dry it yourself at home?

Yes, dried apricots can be made at home. But this is not so easy, as it will require either special equipment or bright, hot sun for several weeks.

Should I wash?

Dried apricots must be washed before use, as it contains both ordinary dirt and sulfur dioxide.

First, rinse with running water.
Then put in a container and pour water at room temperature for 10-15 minutes.
Next, drain the water dried fruits rinse again under running water.

The more times you repeat this whole procedure, the more completely you will get rid of sulfur dioxide.

Never pour boiling water over dried apricots, as this destroys the vitamins.

Contraindications and side effects

Strict contraindication for consumption is allergy, which is rare.
The dried fruits sold in most of our stores contain the preservative sulfur dioxide. There can be hypersensitivity to this substance, which threatens death by suffocation. Patients with asthma are at particular risk, since they develop hypersensitivity to sulfur dioxide 5-10 times more often than those who do not suffer from asthma.
When abundantly included in the diet, dried apricots cause unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms: bloating and flatulence, diarrhea, pain in the abdominal region. Dried apricots for constipation is an excellent natural laxative. Some people can feel its effect after eating just a few pieces of dried fruit.
Dried apricots for gastritis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis are allowed. But just not acute phase diseases.
You also need to remember how many calories and sugars are in dried apricots. And there are a lot of them. Therefore, with excessively plentiful and regular use, weight gain is possible.

Can diabetics eat?

Dried apricots for diabetes are allowed, as it glycemic index even lower than fresh fruits, and is only 30.

However, the product contains a lot of fructose, which does not lead to an immediate rise in blood sugar, but gradually, with massive use, contributes to the development of diabetes or aggravates its course.

Therefore, despite the fact that dried apricots can be eaten with type 2 diabetes, you should not lean on it. Moreover, it spurs the desire to eat sweets, which is painful for diabetics.

But taking a few dried fruits with you on the road will not hurt. Since they can help to escape from hypoglycemia.

Is the product allowed during pregnancy?

Dried apricots are allowed during pregnancy, as it has useful properties for expectant mothers:

strengthens the immune system;
contributes to the prevention of anemia;
eliminate constipation, etc.

However, the number of dried apricots that pregnant women are allowed to eat per day is strictly limited to 5-6 pieces. Otherwise, you may gain excess weight.

In addition, the product may contain sulfur dioxide, the effect of which on the body of a woman who is expecting a child is highly desirable.

Is it possible while breastfeeding?

Dried orange fruits, like their fresh counterparts, are lactogenic foods. Therefore, dried apricots can, and even need to be eaten with breastfeeding. Still, it doesn't hurt to be a little careful.

Do not include dry apricots in the diet until the moment when the child is 2-3 months old.

You need to start entering into your menu with 1-2 things, carefully observing the condition of the baby.

When using dried apricots for HS, a nursing mother must be attentive to the choice of this product and its purity. It is extremely important to thoroughly wash the dried fruit, freeing it from sulfur dioxide.

From what age to give a child?

Not earlier than 9 months. Preferably a year or older. The product contains a lot of fiber. And it is hard for very young children to learn it.

You should start introducing into the diet with half of one thing. Then observe the condition of the baby for several days. And only then increase the dose.

Be sure to thoroughly wash the dried apricot before giving it to the little one. And try to choose those options for dried apricots, in which there are fewer chemicals.

It should also be remembered that even though dried fruit is a natural sweetness, it is a sweetness. And in no case should you overfeed a child with sweets.

The benefits and harms of dried apricots and apricots for the body: conclusions

All varieties of dried apricots are rich in vegetable fiber, vitamins A and E, potassium. And connected with this healing effect on the body.

Dried apricots and apricots improve defecation (weaken), strengthen immunity, preserve vision, and contribute to the prevention of hypertension.

However, due to the fact that they contain a lot of sugars, include in the diet healthy eating these dried fruits are only available in limited quantities.

The most correct thing is to eat 5-6 pieces per day.

In the cold season, the body is in dire need of an influx of vitamins and other useful substances. Therefore, everyone begins to more or less regularly consume foods rich in them. Stand apart in this series, especially the beloved by many dried apricots. Let's consider how exactly it is useful and whether harm from this "yummy" is possible.

Calorie content and chemical composition

Dried pitted apricots are considered high-calorie product - per 100 g account for 215-232 kcal(specific figure depends on storage conditions).

Among, and carbohydrates, the championship is behind the latter - they are about 51-53 g here. There are much fewer proteins: 5.2 g, while fats are indicated symbolically (0.3 g). The rest of the mass is water (20 g), valuable alimentary fiber(11 g) and ash with organic acids.
In the same 100-gram serving, there are compounds such as:

- 5.5 mg;
- 4 mg;
beta-carotene - 3.5 mg;
, among which niacin stands out, aka, at a dose of 3 mg. and are presented much more modestly (0.1 and 0.2 mg each);
- 583 mcg.

Among the main is considered (1.7-1.8 g). and much less: 160 and 146 mg. Content - 105 mg. and with their 26 and 17 mg, the role of fastening components is assigned.

Of the series, it is usually mentioned in the amount of 3-3.2 mg. The dosage of copper, and others is much less: their share is reduced to micrograms.

What is useful dried apricots for the body

Delicious dried fruit perfectly satisfies the feeling of hunger and is able to replace other sweets that are sometimes more harmful to us. But this beneficial features are by no means limited - dried apricots are suitable for everyone.

Did you know? It still remains a mystery from which region apricots spread to the current range. Many scientists believe that the Chinese Tien Shan was the center of origin, but there are a lot of contradictions in this version.

men

Men appreciate this product for the following "abilities":

normalization of work of cardio-vascular system. In many ways, this is the merit of magnesium and potassium, which, in addition, also prevent the appearance of muscle cramps;
body support during hard physical labor;
regulation blood pressure and accelerated cleaning of blood vessels - this effect is given by nicotinic acid;
removal of toxins and oxides of heavy metals;
support for bone tissue due to. Thus, testosterone is redirected to work with other systems;
prevention of urological problems (in particular, prostatitis).

Athletes who pay a lot of attention to their diet note another quality of this product - it is an equivalent replacement flour products, and sugar. That is, the annoying menu items can be safely replaced with delicious dried apricots.

Women

Women, among whom there are traditionally more sweet teeth, have long noticed a valuable dried fruit. And it is absolutely deserved, because with moderate use it:

cleanses the body, removing mass harmful substances(including the extra one). This prevents the formation of blood clots;
strengthens blood vessels, making them more elastic;
deeply penetrating into the skin, vitamins and rejuvenate and cleanse it;
raises the level of hemoglobin, which is used in the fight against iron deficiency anemia;
dried apricots in pure form(that is, without heat treatment) normalizes the functions of the endocrine system;
relieves symptoms of gastrointestinal disturbances, especially chronic constipation. This is merit;
acting as a diuretic, helps in the treatment of diseases genitourinary system and kidneys;
with stable reception reduces to zero the risk of developing malignant tumors(or stops development, if any).

Those who follow their figure know about another property of such drying: acting as a sugar substitute, it does not increase the level of insulin in the blood and, if taken correctly, blocks it.

Children

This delicacy will appeal to both parents and children. In addition to its taste, dried apricots are powerful general tonic And natural immunomodulator, which is relevant in the autumn-winter period.

Support for the growing body of the baby is also manifested in such properties:

strengthening the cardiovascular system;
normalization of hemoglobin level;
stimulation of the growth of intestinal microflora;
quick relief of constipation, which is often baked at such a tender age.

But in the case of children, the issue of dosage is especially acute. If the norm for an adult is 100, a maximum of 150 g of dried fruit per day, then the child needs less. The maximum share for crumbs is 50 g.

There are also age restrictions. So, small additions of dried apricots to the main dishes are allowed to be given to healthy little ones over 1 year old. If the baby has an allergy (but the reason has not yet been established), you will have to wait up to 3 years.

First tricks healthy treats will be trial: drying in the form of puree is given in half a teaspoon, while evaluating the reaction. After making sure that everything is fine and the product has not caused rejection, you can gradually increase its content on the menu (up to the same 50 g).

Did you know? Archaeologists claim that mankind has been cultivating apricots for at least 6,000 years.

Is it possible for pregnant and lactating mothers

The abundance of vitamins and minerals makes this product indispensable for women in labor, whose body works with a double load. Yes, and the baby will benefit from them.

Support for the heart, blood vessels and kidneys - all this is within the power of dried fruit. Often gynecologists advise expectant mothers to eat 4-5 slices a day to maintain endocrine system. If accompanied, dried apricots are included in the menu as an indispensable element in the same quantities.
True, its use will not benefit everyone. This technique is prohibited for women who have low blood pressure, there is bronchial asthma or allergic reactions.

With absence similar complications this type of drying is best used as an additive to muesli or cereals and cottage cheese. Although here you will have to start small: 1 slice, then 2, and so on.

Important! The ideal option for a while breastfeeding dried apricot compote is considered to be drunk by mother: compounds in liquid form are absorbed by her body much faster than solid drying.

Same situation with: healthy woman and her baby dried apricots in small doses will be useful. The main thing is to stick to the measure (2-3 pieces that have entered the mother's body have a good effect on lactation and milk content, while 5 or more slices can cause serious disorder stomach).

Although there is one caveat here: when feeding during the first 3 months of life, it is advisable to refrain from fruit.

How to choose a quality product when buying

Let's make a reservation right away - it is better to buy dried apricots in the market, where it is offered by weight. Purchasing a packaged product in a store or elsewhere casts doubt on its usefulness.

The fact is that the industrial processing of raw materials often takes place with the participation of sulfur dioxide. It prolongs the shelf life, but at the same time neutralizes some of the nutrients.

When choosing, pay attention to:

Color. Natural dried apricots are visible by a dark orange or brownish color (a grayish tint is allowed). At the same time, the surface itself seems a little dusty and matte. But the uniform and too bright orange color indicates that it was not without "chemistry".
Overflows on the skin itself. The surface should not be transparent or shiny. If you notice this, put the drying aside: it was probably rubbed with glycerin or oil to give it a presentation.
Size. It is advisable to take the largest slices - the larger the fruit, the heavier the ripe apricot was (hence, there are more vitamins here).
When holding the fruits in your hands, make sure that they are wrinkled, but not cracked, slightly crumbly and do not stick together. Naturally, no traces of mold or the presence of insects. If the product has been stored properly, it will be firm to the touch and a bit stiff. Soft wet "slurry" indicates that the goods are stored with violations;
Smell and taste. Usually sellers give a couple of pieces to try. If they have a distinct fruity flavor and smell good - you can take it. A barely perceptible aroma of gasoline is characteristic of apricots that have been overexposed in the oven, and a distinct sourness is the result of accelerated fermentation.

Did you know? In Chinese culture, the apricot symbolizes timidity.

By choosing the most quality product, many are wondering how best to store this sweetness in order to keep vitamins longer.

How to store at home

Dried fruits purchased for future use are stored in clean and airtight glass or plastic containers (a tight-fitting lid is required).

Ordinary plastic bag suitable only for temporary storage. For the longest storage, the slices are poured into a sterile wooden container, not forgetting to check it for the absence of insects.

The easiest way is to put the covered blank in, you can even put it in the freezer. Frozen food will thaw at room temperature. Warming up is not required: too fast heating destroys useful substances.

Particular care should be taken by pregnant women and people suffering from. They should coordinate the use of dried apricots with doctors. They will determine the dosage and frequency of use.

Remember the sense of proportion: busting with an additive in the form of a valuable dried fruit can turn into side effects. Their list is rather modest, but there is something to think about: allergies and digestive problems (diarrhea, constipation), as well as dangerous attacks hypoglycemia is a drop in blood glucose levels.

As you can see, moderation in food does not hurt. We hope our readers will take this information into account, and tasty dried apricots will only benefit. More sweet moments every day!