Apricot (Khubani) Health Benefits, Uses and Side Effects

Apricot is popular worldwide with its interesting history. Its wonderful shape and sweet taste can make any nourishment darling insane. It is a juicy, fragrant fruit that can be eaten raw or used in a variety of dishes. This fruit should also be included in daily life, because it works to improve health. Apricots are rich in minerals and dietary fiber, such as vitamin A, C, potassium and mangene.

Apricot 

Learn with us in this special article about the benefits of eating apricots for health, skin and hair.

Table of contents

• What is Apricot?  -

• Benefits of Apricot -

• Benefits of Apricot for Health

• Benefits of Apricot for Skin -

• Benefits of Apricot for Hair -

• Nutritious Ingredients of Apricot -

• Use of Apricot -

• Disadvantages of Apricot -

What is Apricot?

Apricots are considered best suited for a nutritious breakfast. Just wash it with water and eat it. It is often eaten as a sweet food item, but its mode of eating is not limited to sweet. In Middle Eastern countries, dried apricots are cooked and eaten with meat and spices to enhance the taste of cuisine.  You can enjoy apricot chutney with Indian spicy dishes.

Facts related to its origin suggest that apricot was cultivated in China four thousand years ago. The traders who went there took this special fruit with them, which increased its popularity and as a result its cultivation started in other provinces of the world. Later it was also cultivated in Europe and the British took it to Australia. Currently Victoria is considered one of the main producers of apricots(1).

Apricot

Benefits of Apricot -

Appearing small in size, this fruit not only changes the taste of your tongue, but also protects you from deadly diseases like cancer and diabetes.  Know below about the benefits of apricot for skin, hair and internal health.

Benefits of apricots for health

1. For Better Digestion

Most physical illnesses start with a stomach upset. Gas, stomach pain and indigestion due to indigestion surround the body. Apricots can help you in this situation. Along with being a delicious fruit, this fruit helps in relaxing the stomach. Actually, apricots are fiber-rich and fiber helps the digestive system to run smoothly(2). Apricot is also considered beneficial for problems like constipation.

2. Improve eyesight

Along with age, some physical problems enter the body without being invited, which is also due to poor eyesight. Especially after 40 the eyesight starts to become weak. Lack of proper nutrition is a major reason for this.Elements such as vitamin C, E, β-carotene and omega-3 fatty acids are considered essential for eye health. Apricot can play an important role here.(3) Apricots contain key ingredients such as β-carotene and vitamin-C, which are considered essential for the eyes(4). You can start consuming apricots from today to maintain eye light.

3. Helpful in weight loss

Apricots are considered suitable for low-fat diets, as they are high in fiber.  In particular, it contains soluble fiber, which makes the stomach feel full(2).  Apricots can help you a lot in weight loss. This fruit acts as a bulking agent, which prevents you from eating excessively. Fiber also keeps your digestive system better, thereby protecting you from stomach problems.

4. Heart disease

Here again one can see the fiber properties present in apricots.  Being rich in fiber, this fruit works to control cholesterol in the body, which keeps the heart safe(4),(5).  It reduces bad cholesterol and works to increase good cholesterol.  In addition, the potassium present in it balances the electrolyte levels in our body, keeping our heart muscles organized(6).  To avoid heart disease in future, you can consume apricots daily.  Dried apricots also prevent 'coronary artery calcification'.  This condition can prove fatal for the heart patient(7).

5. Anemia

Anemia is a fatal disease in which there is a deficiency of red blood cells inside the blood.  Anemia reduces the flow of oxygen to the body parts.  Fatigue, yellowing of the skin, shortness of breath and dizziness are common symptoms.  You can consume apricots to treat anemia.  It is a beneficial fruit, which is rich in vitamin-C(4),(8).  Vitamin-C improves the antioxidant protection capacity of the blood.  To maintain blood health in the body, you can consume apricots daily(9).

6. Diabetes

There are many physical benefits of eating dry apricots.  It has a natural sweetness, which can prevent diabetes.  Apricots are rich in fiber and antioxidant properties and these elements prevent the accumulation of sugars in the body.  The four phenolic compounds (procyanidins, hydroxycynamic acid derivatives, flavonols, and anthocyanins) enable apricots to balance glucose levels in the diabetic patient.  To avoid diabetes in future, you can consume apricots daily(10).

7. Cancer

A chemical element called amygdalin is found in apricot kernels, which has been identified as an anticancer.  Amygdalin is a cyanogenic glycoside, which is naturally described as an anti-cancer agent(9),(11).

8. Earache

Prickly can also be used for problems like ear pain. Apricot fruit is rich in antiinflammatory properties. Apricot seed oil can work to relieve pain in ear(9),(12).

9. Pain and swelling

Not just fruits, but apricot seeds are considered rich in medicinal properties.  Apricot seeds work to relieve pain and inflammation. A study has shown that apricot seed oil works to fight against ulcerative colitis, a disease associated with the intestines(12).

10. Hypertension

Apricots have also been considered beneficial in the event of high blood pressure.  Apricots are a great source of potassium and potassium works to control high blood pressure.  Blood pressure is controlled by eating two apricots daily(13).

11. Liver Damage

Not only the heart, apricot also plays an important role in keeping the liver healthy.  According to one study, apricot fruit can protect liver and also reduce the symptoms of fatty liver disease (accumulation of fat in liver)(14).  Organic apricots with their medicinal properties make the liver reusable.  You can consume apricots daily to keep the liver healthy(15).

Benefits of Apricot for Skin -

The skin also has many benefits from the consumption of apricots.  Know below about the benefits of apricot for the skin -

Anti aging

To reduce the anti-aging effect, one can be consumed (two to three daily) and secondly, its face pack can be made. Know below how to make apricot face pack.

How to make apricot face pack

Material:

• Three to four ripe apricot fruits

• Three to four drops of olive oil or lemon juice

Process

• Remove the peeled apricot peel.

• Prepare a paste by mixing olive oil or lemon juice with apricot pudding.

• You can also make apricot paste paste without oil or lemon.

• Now apply the paste on the entire face and leave it in this state for 15 to 20 minutes.

• After this wash the face with clean cold water.

• You can repeat this process twice a week.

How beneficial

Apricots contain good amounts of vitamins-C, A, E and K, which act as an effective anti-aging agent for the skin . The vitamins present in it help in the growth of new cells. At the same time, vitamin-C can act as a powerful antioxidant, which helps in maintaining the health of the skin.

Benefits of Apricot for Hair -

Apart from health and skin, apricots can also be used for hair.  Know below about the benefits of apricot for hair -

1. Hair Growth

Apricot is a beneficial fruit, which works to keep hair healthy with its various nutrients.  Vitamin-E present in apricot oil helps in hair growth(4),(16).

How to use

• You can use apricot oil by mixing it with your regular shampoo and conditioner.

• You can massage the scalp by mixing four to five drops of it with olive or almond oil.

• Wash hair with shampoo after one or two hours of massage.

• You can do this procedure twice a week.

2. Scalp problems

Apricot oil is rich in vitamins A and E.  It works to repair the element. Apricot oil may be effective for dry scalp and dandruff.  This oil works by keeping the scalp hydrated and healthy(4),(16)(17).  Know below how to use apricot oil-

How to use

• You can use apricot oil mixed with shampoo.

• You can massage the scalp by mixing four to five drops of it in olive or almond oil.

• Wash hair with shampoo after one or two hours after massage.

• You can do this procedure twice a week.

Use of Apricot -

• You can also eat apricots by mixing it with curd or you can eat it in your morning breakfast by mixing it with oatmeal.

• Apricot milk shake can also be made with the help of a juicer.

• Whether you wash it and eat it or cut it, this fruit will prove tasty in every way.

Disadvantages of Apricot -

• According to one study, the consumption of apricot seeds can cause deadly chemicals(18).

• Consuming dried apricots can cause bowel obstruction(19).

• Dry apricots can cause vomiting and abdominal pain(20).

Now you must have learned about the various benefits of apricot for the body. Friends, apricot is a delicious fruit rich in many medicinal properties, which you can make a part of your lifestyle. It can be used to increase the brightness of the face and to get rid of a serious stomach problem. How did you like this article, do let us know in the comment box.  For other information related to apricots, you can also ask us questions.