Written By Sam Henselijn
Are dried apricots good for you? The answer might be surprising, but it’s vital for your health! Many people recommend eating apricots as a snack and sometimes even as a meal replacement. But are they healthy? This article will help you answer that question and outline how they might benefit breastfeeding women. We will also present other crucial information about dried apricots.
Are Dried Apricots Good For You?
Dried apricots may not be the first fruit that comes to mind when you think of a healthy snack, but they deserve to be.
Dried apricots are good for you and are also delicious. They’re a good source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They also contain phytonutrients, which help keep your body healthy.
Dried apricots’ nutrition is high in potassium, iron, vitamin K
and dietary fiber. Like fresh apricots, dried ones are also rich in carotenoids, including beta-carotene (which gives them their bright orange color). As a result, they are an excellent source of vitamin A, potassium, iron, and vitamin K. They also provide various B vitamins and C and manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc.
They contain polyphenols, a type of antioxidant that inhibits free radical damage. In addition, dried fruits, such as apricots, can protect against heart disease. So, they should be eaten regularly!
Are Dried Apricots Healthy?
As mentioned earlier, dried apricots are high in fiber, potassium, and iron. They are also a good vitamin E, magnesium, and calcium source. Therefore, adding them to your diet may boost your intake of certain nutrients and provide health benefits.
They are a good source of potassium, which helps lower blood pressure. One cup of dried apricots contains 1,030 milligrams of potassium or 29 percent of the recommended daily amount for a healthy adult. Potassium is essential to help keep your muscles functioning properly and prevent muscle cramps while exercising.
One cup of whole dry apricots provides about 7.6 grams of fiber, about 30 percent of the daily fiber requirement for men and women over 50 years old. Fiber helps maintain regularity by increasing the bulk and water content of stool. It also may reduce your risk for heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers by lowering harmful cholesterol levels. In addition, it controls blood sugar levels, helping you feel full longer after meals, and preventing constipation that can lead to hemorrhoids or anal fissures.
Can You Make Jam from Dried Apricots?
Sure, you can make jam from dried apricots. It’s pretty good.
Put the dried apricots into a small bowl and pour enough hot water to cover them. Soak overnight or until they are plump and soft.
Once soaked, drain the apricots in a sieve, place them over a bowl (to catch the soaking liquid), and put them in a preserving pan with the sugar and lemon juice. Bring to the boil, stirring all the time until the sugar dissolves. Once boiling, reduce the heat slightly, so the jam simmers and bubbles away for about 20 minutes until it has reached the setting point.
To test if it is ready, pop a little of the mixture onto a cold plate and leave for 1 minute before pushing it with your finger. If it wrinkles, your jam is ready; if not, keep boiling for another 5-10 minutes before testing again.
Scoop out any scum using a large spoon and then ladle it into warm, sterilized jars. Place greaseproof paper circles on top of the jam (cut out before placing in the oven), followed by screw-top lids or waxed discs.
The jam will have a very different texture from fresh fruit Jam because the pectin in the fruit is cooked out during the drying process. The resulting mess is more like fruit leather than a traditional jam.
Are dried Apricots Suitable for Breastfeeding?
Dried apricots may be beneficial for breastfeeding mothers because they contain many nutrients that can improve their health and their baby’s health.
They contain a considerable amount of fiber. Fiber is essential for bowel movements and can protect against constipation and hemorrhoids, typical side effects after giving birth. Furthermore, fiber protects against heart disease, diabetes, weight gain, and certain types of cancer.
They also contain significant amounts of iron and vitamin A. Iron is an essential mineral that transports oxygen around the body and helps the immune system function well. Iron deficiency can cause fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, pale skin, and heart problems. It is essential for breastfeeding women because low iron levels can lower milk production.
Will Dried Apricots Go Bad?
Depending on how they are stored and packaged, they have a shelf life of about six months to one year. It is best to keep them in an airtight container and out of the sun. You can also freeze them to maximize their shelf life.
How Many Calories Are in Dried Apricots?
Dried apricots are not high in calories and are a good choice for
people on a diet. They have less than 120 calories per 40 grams of weight, lower than many other dried fruits. However, how they are processed may affect their calorie content if they are subjected to additional processing, such as being dipped in a sweet liquid or covered with sugar.
Conclusion
So, are dried apricots good for you? You have the answer! Remember, they are one of the best snacks around and a great addition to your diet. Next time you’re hunting for dried apricots, pick up a bag or two from L’Orenta’s. We offer the best!
Sam Henselijn Author’s Biography – Meet L’Orenta Nuts CEO
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