Outstanding health benefits of apricot fruit A series of Presentation By Mr Allah Dad Khan Former DG Agriculture Visiting Professor the University of Agriculture Peshawar allahdad52@gmail.com

3. APRICOTS
Apricots, scientifically known as Prunus
armeniaca, is closely related to plums. It is difficult
to understand the exact order of cultivation around
the world, since it was both found wild and grown
in prehistoric times. The scientific name is derived
from Armenia, which is where most scientists
believe apricots originated. However, they were
also present in ancient Greece and Rome, and
many other experts claim that original cultivation
happened in India more than 3,000 years ago.
The disputed origins are not important, but the
impact of apricots on human health certainly is!

4. APRICOTS
The health benefits of apricot include its ability to
treat indigestion, constipation, earaches, fevers,
skin diseases, cancer and anemia. Apricot oil is
useful for treating strained muscles and wounds. It
is also believed that apricot is good for skin care,
especially for women. This is why you find it
added in various cosmetics. Furthermore, apricots
have the ability to improve heart health, reduce
cholesterol levels, prevent the deterioration of
vision, help you to lose weight, treat respiratory
conditions, boost bone strength, and maintain
electrolyte balance in the body.

5. APRICOTS
Apricots can be consumed directly, or dried
and then eaten as a variety of dried fruit. It is
also used in the preparation of various juices,
jams, squash and jellies. Apricot oil can also be
obtained from its kernel, and those
powerful essential oils also have a lot of
important impacts on health.

6. APRICOTS
Apricots are small drupes that resemble peaches or
plums. They have a soft, tangy flesh beneath a thin
outer skin. In the middle of the apricot is a large pit,
which is inedible, so be careful when taking that first
big bite! They are typically yellow or orange, with a
slight tinge of red on one side. They can be enjoyed in a
wide variety of ways, and every culture treats apricots
differently! One of the reasons they have been so
popular throughout history is that they can be directly
linked to a number of health benefits, due to
their unique organic compounds, nutrients, vitamins,
and minerals.

7. NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF APRICOTS
The impressive health benefits of apricots are due
to the content of vitamins, including vitamin
A,vitamin C,vitamin K,vitamin E, and niacin in
significant amounts, as well as a number of other
essential vitamins in trace amounts (less than 5%
of daily requirement), as well as their mineral
content, which
includes potassium, copper manganese, magnesi
um, and phosphorous. Apricots are also a very
good source of dietary fiber, like most fruits.

10. APRICOT AND CONSTIPATION:
Apricots are rich in fiber and are therefore good for
smooth bowel movements. It is often
recommended to patients who regularly suffer from
constipation due to its laxative properties. Fiber is
a way to bulk up the stool. In this way, it becomes
easier to transport through the bowels to its
eventual excretion from the body.
Fiber stimulate the gastric and digestive juices that
help absorb the nutrients and break down
the food for easier processing. Furthermore, fiber
also activates the peristaltic motion of the digestive
tract, and those smooth muscles movements are
what keep your bowel movements regulated.

11. APRICOT AND BONE HEALTH:
Apricots have either significant
or moderate amounts of all the
minerals necessary for healthy
bone growth. Calcium,
phosphorous, manganese, iron,
and copper all play a certain
role in the creation of bone
matter. Therefore, eating
apricots can ensure the healthy
growth and development of your
bones, as well as preventing
various age-related conditions,
including osteoporosis.

12. APRICOT AND HEART HEALTH
Apricots are a wonderful way
to protect your heart from a wide variety of
diseases, including atherosclerosis, heart
attacks, and strokes. The high amount of
vitamin C, as well as potassium and dietary
fiber, all contribute to good cardiovascular
health. Vitamin C protects the heart from
free radicals, potassium lowers blood
pressure by relaxing the tension of blood
vessels and arteries, while dietary fiber
scrapes the excess cholesterol from the
lining of the vessels and arteries, thereby
clearing them and reducing the strain on the
heart. All together, these properties of
apricots make it ideal for boosting heart
health.

13. APRICOT CURES FEVERS:
Apricot juice is often given to
patients suffering from fever because it
provides necessary vitamins, minerals,
calories and water to the body, while
also detoxifying various systems and
organs. Some people also use
steamed apricot to relieve fevers. In
this way, apricot is a soothing, anti-
inflammatory substance that can also
impact the body’s overall temperature
level when you aren’t sick.
Furthermore, it can reduce
inflammation in other parts of the body,
like for people who suffer
from arthritis or gout.

14. APRICOT FLUID LEVELS AND
METABOLISM:
 Fluid levels throughout the body
are dependent mainly on two
minerals, potassium
and sodium. The high amounts
of potassium in apricots has
been linked to maintaining fluid
balance in the body, and
ensuring that energy is properly
distributed to the right organs
and muscles. By maintaining a
healthy balance of electrolytes,
you can have more energy,
reduce cramping, and keep
blood and usable energy
pumping through your body as
you need it.

15. APRICOT PREVENTS MACULAR
DEGENERATION
Many studies conducted with an
objective to get an insight in to the
effects of consumption of fruits and
vegetables on the health of eyes,
have found that the anti oxidants,
multi vitamins and carotenoids
present in apricots lower the
problem of getting macular
degeneration, which is a symptom
that 90% of the people of both the
genders develop due to ageing
process.It is quite natural for adults
to face the condition of loss of
vision when they reach their mid
forties. Therefore , eating at least
half apricot daily can minimize the
chances of macular degeneration
by nearly 35%

16. APRICOT AND EARACHES:
Apricot oil is good for earaches, although
the exact mechanism is still being studied.
Dripping a few drops into the affected ear
canal should prove to be a fast remedy.
Scientists assume it has something to do
with the antioxidant materials that apricot
essential oil contains.

17. APRICOTS BUILD SHIELDS AGAINST OUR WORST
ENEMY – FREE RADICALS & CANCER
Know Cancer Symptoms That You
Should Not Ignore - MenFree radicals
in the body are harmful and attack the
DNA structure at cellular level causing
abnormal growth of cells.

18. APRICOT FOR SKIN DISORDERS:
 Apricot oil is good for skin care. It is quickly
absorbed by the skin and does not keep
the skin oily after it is applied. Apricots are
not just useful for maintaining the smooth
and shiny appearance of the skin; it also
aids in treating a number of skin diseases
including eczema, itching, scabies, and a
number of other irritating conditions. This is
specifically due to the antioxidant
compounds found within apricots. Not only
does it have a healthy amount of vitamin A
(60% of your daily requirement per
serving), which has long been associated
with healthier skin, but the antioxidants in
apricots protect the skin from the effects of
free radicals, which can lead to skin
deterioration and signs of premature aging.

19. APRICOT AND ANEMIA
Owing to the presence of iron and
copper, apricots help in the
formation of hemoglobin when you
consume them. This property helps
in treating anemia. Anemia is
basically iron deficiency, and it can
lead to weakness, fatigue, light
headedness, digestive issues, and
general metabolic function. Without
red blood cells, the body can’t
reoxygenate itself properly, and
organ systems begin to
malfunction. Iron is a key part of
red blood cell formation, as is
copper. Both of these minerals are
present in apricots, making it a
great tool to boost metabolism and
keep the body functioning properly.

20. APRICOT FOR CANCER:
 The seeds of apricot are believed
to aid in the treatment of cancer.
Between the carotenoids and the
other antioxidant compounds that
apricots have, it is no surprise that
they are a threat to free radicals.
Free radicals are the dangerous
byproducts of cellular metabolism
that can cause healthy cells to
mutate their DNA into cancerous
cells. Antioxidants neutralize these
harmful compounds and ensure that
the body doesn’t contract conditions
like cancer, heart disease,
Alzheimer’s disease, and aging
skin. Apricots have been directly
linked to reducing the risk of cancer.

21. APRICOT CURES ASTHMA:
It is also believed that apricot oil
is anti-asthmatic in nature and helps
in treating the disease and its related
symptoms. It has certain expectorant
and stimulant qualities due to its
essential oils. One of these can help
to relieve pressure and stress on the
lungs and respiratory system,
thereby preventing asthma attacks
before they begin.

22. APRICOT IS BEST WEIGHT LOSS FOOD
The high amount of
dietary fiber that the
apricot fruit is gifted with
is useful for those people
who are looking at losing
a few kilos

23. APRICOT PROVIDE BENEFITS TO SKIN
The high level of
antioxidants like Vitamin
A , Vitamin C and
phytonutrients in apricots
are highly recommended
for maintaining skin
health

24. APRICOT FOR BRAIN DEVELOPMENT:
According to a study,
children require high
amounts of Magnesium and
Potassium for proper brain
development. As apricots are
rich sources of these
nutrients, they can serve
better in cerebral functioning
and thus in the overall brain
development.

25. APRICOT FOR EASY DIGESTION:
Apricots are known to aid easy
and better digestion because of
their high dietary fiber content,
like cellulose and pectin. Their
consumption will put a check on
the issues related to constipation
as it will act as a natural and
gentle laxative for a smooth
passage of stools. Six to eight
portions of apricot can put a
check to constipation

26. APRICOT FULL OF ANTIOXIDANTS:
These fruits are rich in
several antioxidants such
as flavonoids,
polyphenols, catechins,
coumaric acid and more.
Antioxidants help in
preventing free radical
damage, and turn will
prevent early aging

27. APRICOT CONTAINS ESSENTIAL OILS:
Apricot oil is a rich
source of vitamin A, E,
and oleic acid, which is
essential for soft and
healthy skin. Therefore,
oil extracted from the
apricots can improve the
health of sensitive skin of
the babies and will
eventually make it
smooth.

28. APRICOT GOOD EYESIGHT:
Apricots are a rich
source of vitamin A along
with carotenoids and
xanthophylls, which are
the key drivers in
protecting retina and
maintaining proper eye
health

29. APRICOT CONTROLLING BLOOD
PRESSURE:
The high levels of Potassium
present in the dried fruit can
monitor the water retaining
properties of Sodium and so
will maintain the blood
volume in its required range.
Thus, it can protect against
elevated blood pressure and
heart diseases