Apricots for Eternal Youth?

Hello again,

 

This time I am not going to suggest you include apricots on your grocery list because I know that if you don’t have them in your refrigerator at the time you are reading this article, as soon as you are done with it you will rush to the market as I did. So, without any further delay, here is the good news today.

 

Origin

This fruit was originally called Prunus Armeniaca because Romans brought it to Europe from Armenia. It is native to the warm regions of Asia, North Korea, and Manchuria although the first references we have about its cultivation goes back 3,000 years in China. Nowadays it is cultivated in Turkey, Switzerland, Greece, Spain, France, United States, South Africa, and New Zeeland.

 

Best Season

You can find the juiciest and sweetest apricots from last days of spring until the end of summer; that is to say, between July and September. 

 

Nutritional Value

Because of their high content of water and low carbohydrate contribution, apricots are low in calories; 50 calories per 100 grams.

 

However, they are very high in antioxidants, especially beta-carotene, the yellow pigment found in carrots, papayas, and pumpkins which is converted by our body into vitamin A when needed. Three pieces of this fruit provide the daily vitamin A required. I know we have already talked about antioxidants; just remember that they clean our body by fighting free radicals, those horrible “things” responsible for our aging. Other vitamins found in apricots are vitamin E, C, B3, and folic acid.

 

Apricots are also a good source of fiber, 2.1 grams for each 100 grams. Their mineral content is also substantial; they are rich in potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and calcium. Potassium has diuretic properties, highly recommended in cases of high blood pressure, liquid retention, and in cases of low urine production. They are not recommended for people who require a control of potassium because of kidney disease. 

 

Fresh apricots are indicated in cases of gastritis because they are rich in tannins which have anti-inflammatory properties. 

 

Apricots for a long life

To attest to the benefits of eating apricots, I want to tell you about a study carried out in the Hunza community located in a remote region of the Himalaya. This community is strictly vegetarian and revolves around apricots.

The study, conducted by Doctor Paul D. White and Dr. Edward G. Toomey, showed that the people of that region have few chronic diseases and their life expectancy is much longer than ours. The researchers saw that Hunzas live easily until the age of 90 and 110 years; that at those ages they don’t have cardiovascular diseases and that their vision is perfect. They can perform heavy tasks although their energy intake is low, an average of 1,900 a day.

Probably other factors such as lack of stress and pollution contribute to their quality of life, but the fact that apricots are consumed in high quantities must have an influence in their health. At least that’s the way Hunzas see it because their financial status is determined by the number of apricot trees they own. They eat the fruit when it is fresh and they dry the surplus to be consumed during the rest of the year.

 

I know it is difficult for us to avoid stress and pollution completely, but why don’t we try eating more apricots, either fresh or dried, to live a long and healthy life?

 

I don’t want to take any more of your time today because I know you are already on your way to the market; I just want to wish a good day and definitely, a very healthy one.

 

About the Author:

Emilia Klapp has a degree in Nutrition Science and is certified by the American Dietetic Association as a Registered Dietitian. With her new book, “Your Heart Needs the Mediterranean Diet”, she has helped thousands of people just like you reduce the risk of heart disease, lose weight and enjoy a more abundant life at the same time. For more information on the book and to receive a free especial report on the “Top 10 Mediterranean Curative Ingredients” go to: http://mediterraneanheart.com