What is dried apricots - useful properties and applications. Strict buckwheat diet with dried apricots for weight loss. Is it possible to drink a decoction of dried apricots during fasting

Bright sunny apricot is able to give us its beneficial qualities even in winter. You can eat it in the form of a delicious dried fruit - dried apricots. The properties of this product are so interesting that it is used not only in culinary business, but also in alternative medicine. “Dried apricots - benefit and harm”: this is the topic that we will consider in this article.

There are quite a few types of dried apricots. It depends on the variety of fresh fruit, and on the method of obtaining dried apricots directly. Which representatives of dried apricot are the best?

The appearance of this dried fruit is due to the fact that since ancient times people had to stock up for the winter. And at some point, the fruit began to dry. Since then, the best dried fruits are those that have been dried in the sun, in the most natural way. The same applies to dried apricots.

It is customary to call dried apricots directly a large dried apricot, from which a stone has been extracted. And dried fruit from small apricot fruits, which are dried directly with a stone, are called apricots.

Moisture may affect the taste of this product. If drops of water fall on the fruit during drying, then the finished product has a darker color and changes its taste.

The bright orange color of the dried fruit indicates that chemicals were used in its processing. On the one hand, such processing adds a shelf life to the product, but on the other hand, it is no longer a completely natural dried fruit.

The wine flavor in dried apricots should alert you. It is a criterion that when harvesting dried fruit, not very fresh apricots were used.

Natural high-quality dried apricots have a sweet and sour or sweet taste.

What is dried apricots made of?

Despite the fact that dried apricots are naturally classified as dried fruits, this product contains a rather large percentage of water. 100 g of dried fruit contains approximately 65 g of water. This product is also rich in carbohydrates. It contains about 26 g of them. The calorie content of dried fruit is 215 kcal per 100 g.

Useful dietary fibers are also present here, about 3 g. Protein in dried apricots is only 1.7 g. And this dried fruit practically does not have fats, there are only 0.15 g of them.

Dried apricots are also not famous for vitamins. All of them leave this product during the drying process. But still, you can find vitamin A in it. Also, dried apricots contain vitamins of group B.

Enhance the effect of vitamins in dried apricots by the presence of useful substances, which, on the contrary, it acquires during drying, as well as the composition of trace elements. They are happy there. Most of the composition is copper, iron and manganese.

Why is this product good for health?

The benefits and harms of dried apricots have long been studied by nutritionists.

Useful qualities of dried fruit, of course, prevail:

First of all, it must be said that dried apricots are incredibly rich in pectin. This substance found in fruits can prolong youth. Pectin is often added to cosmetics. And when consumed internally, it helps to remove the accumulation of heavy metals and radionuclides from the body. The presence of this substance quite deservedly allows us to call dried apricots curative for the body.
The plant-type fibers present are very good at improving bowel function. In principle, dried apricots can be used as a natural laxative.
The vascular system also benefits from this dried fruit. Its use increases the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels, and it also fights the level of bad cholesterol.
Product-based compote, also called uzvar, is extremely beneficial for kidney health. It is especially good for the body to drink it in the spring, when we experience beriberi.
Improves dried apricot and blood quality. Thanks to him, more correct blood cells are formed in the blood. Their presence keeps the immune system in good shape and blocks the development of cancer cells.

This dried fruit is also useful for weight loss and during pregnancy.

The use of dried apricots during pregnancy

I would like to separately note that it is especially important to include dried apricots in the diet during pregnancy.

This applies to pregnant women who carry their babies in the autumn-winter period. During these seasons, it is more difficult to provide pregnant women with fresh fruits, where there are a lot of substances useful for the body. Dried fruits, and in particular dried apricots, are a real salvation here.

The sweetness of this product can easily calm the nervous system of a woman during pregnancy. And at the same time, she will receive not a dose of sugar, but a dose of fructose from the product, which, of course, is much better for the body.

Pregnant women often have muscle cramps. So, the regular use of this dried fruit or compote based on it will replenish potassium reserves, which will greatly help to relax the muscular system of pregnant women.

The inclusion of this dried fruit in the diet of pregnant women is important not only for them, but also for their fetus. The composition of microelements will help the baby's body to form correctly.

Constipation often occurs during pregnancy. The properties of dried apricots will easily help to cope with this problem in pregnant women. But here you need to know the measure.

The norm of the use of the product is a maximum of 100 g per day. Otherwise, diarrhea may develop.

Help dried apricots in weight loss

Dried apricots play a positive role in the difficult task of losing weight. It is no secret that during weight loss you need to limit or completely eliminate sweets. We all understand this intellectually, but in fact, overcoming sugar cravings for the sake of losing weight is not so simple.

So, in especially acute moments, when you want sweets, you can eat dried apricots. This allows you to make the composition of the product and its calorie content. Instead of sugar, which is so bad for weight loss, you get fructose, but at the same time satisfy cravings for sweets. And the calorie content of the product makes it possible to call it dietary.

Fasting days based on this dried fruit can also bring benefits to the body and the effect of losing weight. In order to carry it out, you only need 300 g of dried apricots and 2 liters of clean water.

During the day, with the advent of hunger, eat some dried fruit and drink everything with water. As a result, you will get not only the effect of losing weight, but also cleaning the body.

How to use dried apricots correctly?

In principle, there are no hard contraindications to the use of dried fruit. Rather, here we can talk about the extent to which it should be used. The weaker your intestines, the less you need to eat dried apricots. So that its inclusion in the diet does not end for you with an upset stomach.

Otherwise, dried apricot has a very good effect on the human body.

There are even tribes where the main food is dried fruits, including dried apricots. And I must say that people in these tribes are distinguished by longevity.

Here is what dried apricots are, the benefits and harms of this dried fruit.

Dried apricots are one of the most famous dried fruits. It has beneficial properties that positively affect the body. Dried apricots, which are properly selected and stored, are practically harmless and are both a delicious dessert and a means for general strengthening of the body.

Dried apricots are called dried apricots. and is one of the most common dried fruits. There are differences in the creation of dried apricots: its large varieties are dried with the extraction of seeds from it, and small ones, called apricots, along with it. Apricot is much more nutritious. In order to make dried apricots from apricots, you need to dry them in special places for a long time - about a week. Drying is done in the sun. For one kilogram of dried apricots, there are 3-4 kg of apricots. The color of dried apricots should be light. If dried apricots darken when dried, then this is the result of exposure to moisture.

Useful properties of dried apricots

Calorie content: in 100 g of dried apricots 241 kcal.

Protein content in 100 g of dried apricots = 5.7 g;
Fats - 0.3 g;
Carbohydrates - 5.1 g.

Despite the calorie content, the dietary properties of dried apricots are still inherent. The fact is that potassium salts predominate over sodium salts. Many nutritionists claim that fasting days can be spent on dried apricots. All this is because it contains all the substances necessary to maintain an active life. It is recommended to divide 300g of dried apricots into 4 servings.

The composition of dried apricots includes:

Vitamins A, B1, B2, B4, B5, B9, PP, C, E, K;
Elements such as potassium, phosphorus, sodium, calcium, magnesium, copper, iron, zinc, manganese and selenium.

More about the benefits of dried apricots

Dried apricots contain potassium, which is necessary to maintain the work of the heart muscle. The use of dried apricots is simply necessary for hearts. If diabetics have heart problems, eating dried apricots in small quantities will not harm health.
Dried apricots have a fairly large amount of carotene and Vitamin A. This means that it is able to slow down the aging process of cells, while strengthening hair, nails, and skin becomes younger.
Dried apricots are an excellent general strengthening effect. It is useful for everyone: both for athletes and for hypodynamics.
If a person's eyesight begins to weaken, he must definitely include dried apricots in his diet. Due to the presence of a large number of vitamins, it has a concomitant positive effect on the organs of vision.
A large amount of magnesium, which dried apricots are rich in, will help a person suffering from anemia.
Dried apricots are an excellent assistant to the human cardiovascular system. It prevents blood vessels from clogging. In general, it helps to improve blood circulation, and hence the general condition of a person, and his nervous system.
Dried apricots are good because when dieting, they can become a natural and pleasant substitute for sweets. As a dietary remedy, it does an excellent job of maintaining the availability of the nutrients the body needs.
Dried apricots have a pleasant taste and their combination with beneficial properties makes them one of the most attractive dried fruits.

Harmful properties of dried apricots

The harmful properties of dried apricots are many times less than the useful ones, however, some of them can really have a bad effect on the body. Let's consider the main ones.

It is not recommended to use dried apricots even in small quantities for people with gastritis of varying severity and problems with the duodenum.
Diabetics should not use dried apricots, as dried apricots contain a fairly large amount of sugar.
You do not need to use the bones from dried apricots. They contain hydrocyanic acid. Because of this, you can earn serious poisoning.
Dried apricots are contraindicated for those who have diseases of the pancreas and liver.
You can not use dried apricots on an empty stomach, as well as after eating a heavy meal. Dried apricots will make the digestive processes heavier.
Drinking cold water with or after dried apricots can cause diarrhea.
In no case do not use dried apricots if you have exacerbated diseases of the digestive system, even the most minor ones.

If a nursing mother eats a large amount of dried fruits, then this can adversely affect the health of the baby, namely, cause gas formation, intestinal disorders and allergies. During feeding, it is best to limit yourself to the use of dried apricots. For example, the amount of dried apricots contained in compotes will not affect a woman and her child in any way. When the baby is three months old, a nursing mother can already gradually consume dried apricots, as the baby will already be able to take in other nutrients along with milk. But you still can't overeat.

How to choose dried apricots

Choosing the right dried apricots means providing yourself with all its useful properties and avoiding the harmful ones. Use the following guidelines:

It is best to buy dried apricots in the market. There you can find a variety of species, touch the dried apricots yourself, try them, see if there are any traces of poor-quality storage or transportation on them. Buying dried apricots in the store, you deprive yourself of such an opportunity, which means that an unpleasant surprise awaits you at home.
The most natural type of dried apricots is apricots. It is not exposed to any impact, because the bone is not pulled out of it.
It is important to know the method of preparing dried apricots. Choose one that has been dried naturally. Store-bought dried apricots in special packages were most likely dried by industrial methods.
Dried apricots can be treated with oil - hence its shiny presentation. Having bought such dried apricots, rinse it thoroughly. In principle, there is nothing wrong with this.
Much depends on the country of manufacture. Turkish apricots and dried apricots have a sweet and sour taste. American ones are less sweet, less tender and less juicy. If you like sour varieties, then South African ones are recognized as the most delicious.
Do not buy bright orange dried apricots. Most likely, it was treated with some kind of chemicals.

Before you decide to buy dried apricots, check them in a tactile way. Feeling dried apricots, you can understand a lot about it. A good and high-quality dried apricots should be distinguished by their density and elasticity. When pressed, it should not crack or break, nothing should flow out of it. There should not be an unpleasant smell that causes a feeling that it is spoiled. Naturally, there should not be a single hint of mold or traces of pests.

Preparation for use and storage

Having bought dried apricots, the first thing to do is rinse it thoroughly. Dried apricots are washed exclusively with warm water. Then dry each dried fruit with a cotton towel or napkin. By thoroughly washing dried apricots, you will eliminate the danger of harmful substances with which it can be processed.

It is best to store dried apricots in the shade and coolness, otherwise the fruits may dry out, deteriorate, and rot. In general, room temperature is favorable for storing dried apricots. The sun's rays are needed only for its initial drying. Do not expose it to the sun. As for the packaging, it must be airtight. Modern high-quality containers - best suited for storing dried apricots. It can also be jars made of glass and plastic. The use of paper or linen bags is not recommended: flies and bugs can start in them. Leakage will lead to the access of dried fruits to oxygen, which means drying out. With high humidity - on the contrary, dried apricots will soften and mold will appear on it.

Under the conditions of proper storage of dried apricots, it will be suitable for consumption within one year.

There is another way to store it - in the freezer. This requires a sealed container. Dried apricots should be thawed at room temperature, stored in the freezer, it will retain all its valuable properties. Storage in the freezer can occur for a longer period - up to 18 months.

Immediately before use, rinse again with water, remove the layer of dust. Then let it brew in water for about one to two hours, and then scald with boiling water. All this should be done just in case - after all, dried apricots could be treated with chemicals.

How to eat dried apricots

You can eat dried apricots as you like, the main thing is that all the ingredients are combined with each other. Some people like to add it to various dishes, and someone is a supporter of the fact that it is exclusively a dessert.

Many people like to eat dried apricots just like that. Fasting days on dried apricots is an excellent diet. Light snacks with dried apricots also have a beneficial effect on the body.

Compote remains the most common way to prepare dried apricots. Usually raisins and many other dried fruits are added there. Dried apricots boiled in compote are quite tender and pleasant to the taste. Therefore, it is recommended to eat it after drinking a drink.

Dried apricots are used as a dessert. For example, it can be served with whipped cream.

Pilaf with dried fruits is also a very common dish, which is appreciated by lovers of oriental cuisine. Chopped dried apricots in it has a special taste.

Dried apricots are added to various hot dishes so that they acquire a specific taste.

Dried apricots are added to various jams. Jam can also be apricot.

Thus, how to cook dried apricots is your personal choice and is absolutely a matter of taste.

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 a whole complex of biologically active elements that contribute to the normal functioning of the heart and blood vessels, strengthen muscle and bone tissues, provide adequate nutrition to tissues and give a boost of energy. Such dried fruits help cleanse the body and stimulate intestinal motility. They are great for a snack, providing a quick onset of satiety.

But even taking into account all these useful qualities, a natural question arises - is it possible to eat dried apricots with a diet, because it is a rather 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's not just about diet. 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 cleansing of the body and removal of 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 can not worry about gaining 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.

The second option of a fasting day is based on the use of mashed potatoes. 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 make up your daily diet.

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 the buckwheat diet is 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 pure 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.

It is no secret that dried fruits contain a huge amount of vitamins and minerals, but they are not particularly popular with people.

Of these, it is customary to cook compotes or add dried fruits to pastries.

But the range of applications of dried fruits is wider than it seems at first glance.

This article will focus on dried apricots - an orange-yellow dried fruit that has a pleasant aroma and attractive appearance.

In other words, dried apricots - dried apricot, which can be used as food all year round and receive nutrients in the same volume as from a fresh fruit. The benefits of dried apricots have been proven by doctors and the experience of people, but is there any harm from eating this bright dried fruit?

The composition and calorie content of dried apricots

Useful properties of dried apricots are explained by its composition. This dried fruit contains water, starch, organic acids (citric, salicylic, etc.), pectins, fiber and non-fatty acids. Besides, The composition of dried apricots includes vitamins:

Vitamin A (Retinol);

Vitamin B1 (Thiamin);

Vitamin B2 (Riboflabin);

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid);

Vitamin C;

Vitamin E (tocopherol);

Vitamin PP (Nicotinic acid).

This dried fruit contains minerals such as:

Calcium;

Manganese;

Dried apricots surpass even fresh fruits in the amount of minerals.

The calorie content of dried apricots is quite high - 241kcal per 100g. Therefore, in order to provide the body with useful substances without harm to the figure, it is recommended to eat no more than 4-5 pieces per day. 1/2 of the composition of dried apricots is carbohydrates - 51g per 100g. Proteins and fats - 5.2g and 0.3g, respectively. The sweetness of this dried fruit is given by sucrose, glucose and fructose, the total proportion of which is approximately equal to 80%.

How is dried apricots used?

This dried fruit is popular in cooking - compotes and pastries are not the limit, some people use dried apricots when cooking meat and salads. They also cook porridge with dried apricots, and even smoothies. On the shelves of stores there are even sweets made from dried apricots - dried apricots in chocolate.

Dried apricots are also used for weight loss, despite its calorie content. There is no mono-diet with the participation of this dried fruit, but as a dessert you can use dried apricots, but not more 20-30gr in a day. Dried apricots are also used to cleanse the body of harmful substances and to treat certain diseases.

What is the benefit of dried apricots for the human body?

Useful properties of dried apricots are numerous. Since ancient times, this dried fruit has been used to treat diseases of various systems of internal organs, as it is a general tonic for a wide range.

The use of dried apricots is especially useful for people who have problems with the cardiovascular system. This dried fruit helps to normalize blood pressure, increase hemoglobin levels, and increase the number of red blood cells in the blood. Dried apricots recommended for use with anemia and anemia. In addition, regular consumption of this dried fruit helps prevent the formation of blood clots. In the people, dried apricots are called "food for the heart."

In relation to the gastrointestinal tract, dried apricots also have a positive effect. This sweet dried fruit helps improve intestinal motility and cleanse the body of toxins, toxins and cholesterol. The pectins contained in dried apricots help to remove heavy metals and radionuclides from the human body. Fiber in this dried fruit contains 9 times more than in fresh fruits of the same weight. Therefore, to ensure normal digestion, it is enough to eat a handful of dried apricots once a day. Dried apricots have a mild laxative effect, so they are effective for constipation.

With diseases of the kidneys, thyroid and pancreas, dried apricots are also useful. This dried fruit helps to normalize the functioning of the insulin apparatus of the pancreas. Therefore, dried apricots are recommended to use people suffering from diabetes but in moderation.

The benefits of dried apricots are undeniable in the states of beriberi. This dried fruit contains vitamins that help strengthen the immune system. When using antibiotics, it is also worth including dried apricots in the diet, as it will help reduce the harmful effects on the body. This dried fruit is useful and in the postoperative period or after an illness, as it helps to restore the vitality of the body. It is also worth using dried apricots during colds and migraines.

Carotene and vitamin A contained in dried apricots are positively affect vision.. The phosphorus contained in this dried fruit is necessary for mental activity and strengthening of the skeletal system. In addition, dried apricots contain a large amount of antioxidants, which are useful for skin problems and hair loss. There is an opinion among the people that dried apricots can treat cancerous tumors and prevent their appearance, but there are no scientific arguments on this matter, so you should not blindly trust all the information from the Internet.

Being a high-calorie product, dried apricots will help to quickly satisfy hunger and saturate the body with essential vitamins and minerals. Dried apricots are allowed even with diets, as this dried fruit contains natural sweeteners - fructose, glucose and sucrose.

Decoction of dried apricots has a diuretic effect and helps to get rid of edema of various origins. This sweet dried fruit has a positive effect on the genitourinary system as a whole.

Pleasant taste, year-round availability and beneficial properties of dried apricots attract many people. But will the use of dried apricots be harmful, and in what quantities is it safe to use this dried fruit for health?

The harm of dried apricots for human health

Dried apricots are a useful product, but still there can be harm from eating this dried fruit.

Fruit drying uses chemicals such as sulfur dioxide or toxic preservative compounds. Under the influence of chemicals, dried apricots retain their attractive appearance and bright color. Sulfur dioxide tends to accumulate in the body, and with the accumulation of the required amount of this substance, allergic reactions occur, the likelihood of damage to the bronchi and lungs increases. Therefore, it is important to be able choose the right kara so as not to provoke chemical poisoning. Bright orange and bright yellow fruits should be avoided, as the brightness and color saturation indicate that these fruits have been chemically processed.

The use of dried apricots in large quantities is most likely to provoke indigestion, diarrhea, bloating and pain in the abdomen. Therefore, you should not abuse this useful dried fruit. For the same reason, it is not recommended to use dried apricots for people suffering from diseases of the intestines and stomach, especially in a chronic form.

The abuse of dried apricots is also not recommended for diabetics, since the sugar substitutes contained cause bouts of hypoglycemia. The calorie content of dried apricots also affects weight gain, so obese people should exclude this sweet dried fruit from their diet.

There are also allergic reactions to apricots. In such cases, it is impossible to eat dried apricots in order not to provoke an allergy.

Dried apricots help reduce blood pressure, therefore, with hypotension, it is undesirable to use dried apricots.

The benefits and harms of dried apricots for pregnant and lactating women

Women in the period of bearing a child and lactation are concerned about the state of health, and pay great attention to proper nutrition. After all, the health of the child depends on the nutrition of a woman during these periods.

Dried apricots are useful for the body of a pregnant woman.

With the help of dried apricots, you can cope with high blood pressure, which often appears in late pregnancy.

And swelling can be eliminated if you use a decoction of this sweet dried fruit.

If during pregnancy, foods containing sugar are contraindicated for a woman, then it is not forbidden to use dried apricots in reasonable quantities.

During pregnancy, the workload on the heart increases. Therefore, regular use of dried apricots will help normalize the work of this important organ.

The kidneys and thyroid gland are most susceptible to disease during pregnancy. Dried apricots help to avoid problems with these organs.

Anemia and iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women can be treated with dried apricots.

Regular use of this sweet dried fruit will help remove toxins, toxins and heavy metals from the body.

Dried apricots are a mild laxative. Therefore, constipation during pregnancy and lactation is curable without drugs.

In addition to useful properties, dried apricots also have contraindications.

Do not use dried apricots for pregnant and lactating women who have low blood pressure.

Excessive consumption of dried apricots provokes weight gain. During pregnancy and after it, the hormonal background of a woman is unstable, therefore, excess weight is gained rapidly.

Excessive consumption of dried apricots provokes indigestion, so you should not get carried away with these bright fruits.

If you are allergic to dried apricots, you should not use it.

Dried apricots are available in stores all year round, have beneficial properties, a pleasant taste and aroma, which is why this dried fruit is so loved by women who take care of their figure and health.

The greatest benefit will bring the use of dried apricots along with cereals. This sweet dried fruit is ideally combined with oatmeal. It is better to soak dried apricots in warm water before use.

Dried apricots for children: useful or harmful?

Children's bodies need vitamins and nutrients for normal growth and development. Finding fresh fruit in summer is easy, but where can you find it in winter? In the cold season, dried fruits can help out.

Dried apricots saturate the child's body with useful vitamins and minerals and energize him. Calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium and phosphorus are necessary for a growing body, for the normal formation of the skeletal system and increased brain activity.

From 6 months it is allowed to cook weak compotes from dried fruits, because even a small body needs vitamins.

The fiber contained in dried apricots normalizes digestion and improves intestinal motility. Dried apricots are ideal for a nutritious snack.

Hello dear readers! In the article we discuss dried apricots - the benefits and harm to the body from the use of dried fruit. We tell you how to properly store dried apricots and other dried fruits. Applying our recommendations, you will learn culinary and traditional medicine recipes using dried apricots, which will help mobilize the immune system and improve your general condition.

Dried apricots are dried apricots that are very popular among lovers of sweets and healthy eating. It has a delicate and sweet taste. In addition to the pleasant taste qualities, dried apricots retain all the useful and nutritious properties that the apricot was saturated with before drying.

How dried apricots are made

During the drying process, moisture is removed from fruits, so the microbes in them cannot continue to multiply. Apricots should evaporate water by about 90% of the original amount. After drying, up to 30% of vitamins, 90% of microelements remain in fruits, the activity of dietary fibers increases, which positively affects the prevention of constipation and the development of unfavorable intestinal microflora.

Dried apricots are made from high-quality and ripe apricots. Thoroughly wash and remove the seeds from the fruit. To preserve the beautiful, natural color of dried apricots, apricots are kept over steam for 2 to 15 minutes, after which they are sent to boiling water with a small addition of sugar. Then laid out on a cloth so that excess moisture is absorbed into it.

After this stage, the cooking process can go in several ways:

apricots are laid out on trays, exposing them for a day in the scorching sun, at night they are cleaned in a dry place to protect them from moisture;
spread on baking sheets and sent to the dryer for several hours at a temperature of 50-60 degrees, at the end raising it to 70-80 degrees;
apricots are laid out on baking sheets, put in the oven for 8 to 10 hours, at a temperature of 65 degrees.

Dried apricots should be stored in a dark, cool and dry place. Transferred to cloth bags, wooden or cardboard boxes. Their shelf life is 2 years. You can check the quality of dried apricots by throwing it into the water, if it is swollen, then the quality of the dried fruit is good.

Dried apricots - benefits and harms to the body

Dried apricots have a composition rich in chemical elements:

vitamin A has a positive effect on the general condition of the skin, nails, hair, as well as on the reproductive system;
vitamin B2 stabilizes metabolic processes in the body, improves brain performance, helping to improve memory;
vitamin C maintains the condition of blood vessels, affects the production of collagen and increases the body's ability to resist external influences;
vitamin E has a positive effect on the condition of a woman during PMS, activates the processes of cleansing the body;
vitamin PP balances the amount of protein in the body, stabilizes metabolism and the percentage of bad cholesterol;
iron improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
copper helps the absorption of iron and improves skin condition;
potassium normalizes the activity of internal processes;
calcium improves the condition of bones, muscles, helps to normalize digestion;

What is useful dried apricots

Dried apricots, in terms of the number of substances contained in it, surpasses fresh apricot fruits.

What effect does:

normalizes vision due to the content of beta-carotene;
activates the body's defense system, resisting infections and viruses;
restores the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
improves blood counts by increasing hemoglobin levels;
normalizes the work of the gastrointestinal tract and the state of the intestinal microflora;
increases the body's resistance to viral diseases;
promotes liquefaction of sputum and its expectoration;
contributes to the normalization of temperature in the heat;
promotes the removal of toxins from the liver;
normalizes blood pressure in hypertension;
has a diuretic effect.

Potential harm from dried apricots

As such, there is no harm from dried apricots, but in some cases it is necessary to treat its use with caution, since it:

helps to reduce pressure, so hypotensive patients should use it with caution;
increases blood sugar levels, diabetics are not recommended to use either with the permission of the attending physician and in small quantities;
with peptic ulcers of the stomach and intestines, it can provoke an upset of the gastrointestinal tract;
dried apricots, dried in production, contain chemicals, before use, it must be thoroughly washed several times and soaked in water.

How many calories in dried apricots

100 grams of dried apricots contains:

241 kilocalories;
3 grams of protein;
0.5 grams of fat;
55 grams of carbohydrates.

Who can use dried apricots

Due to its rich and balanced composition, dried apricots are useful for many people. The use of dried apricots will bring its advantages to everyone:

for men, dried apricots are useful in that they prevent the aging process, strengthen bones and teeth, and have a positive effect on potency;
for women, the benefit is to slow down the aging process, strengthen hair, bones and nails, and reduce the risk of developing cysts and benign tumors;
during pregnancy, dried apricots are recommended, as it improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and positively affects the development of the fetus;
it is useful for nursing mothers to increase the amount of milk and replenish useful trace elements in the body after childbirth, it is allowed to consume no more than 50 grams of dried apricots per day;
dried apricots are recommended for children to receive the daily norm of calcium and iron in the amount of 5 pieces;
diabetics can use dried apricots only with the permission of a doctor and in strictly limited quantities, after soaking, as it increases blood sugar levels;
with pancreatitis, dried apricots are allowed only in limited quantities as prescribed by the attending physician, as an additive to the main dietary dishes;
during a diet, it is best to use dried apricots on fasting days, when it is necessary to get rid of excess fluid and toxins. It easily satisfies hunger.

How to store prunes and dried apricots at home

Storing dried fruits at home is not an easy task, but it is quite doable if you follow the recommendations:

Dried apricots, honey, prunes, raisins, nuts and lemon - a healing mixture

If you mix all of the above elements, you get a tasty and healthy medicinal mixture. It strengthens the immune system and normalizes blood pressure. The mixture is very useful for hypovitaminosis.

Ingredients:

Dried apricots - 1 glass.
Raisins - 1 cup.
Prunes - 1 cup.
Unshelled walnuts - 1 cup
Honey - 1 glass.

How to cook: Rinse dried apricots, prunes and raisins under running water and place on napkins to dry and remove excess moisture from them. Pour boiling water over the lemon and cut into small pieces, removing the seeds. Dried dried apricots, raisins, prunes, lemon and nuts twist in a meat grinder until a homogeneous mass is obtained, you can use a blender or food processor. Add honey to the resulting mass and mix thoroughly. Pour into glass jars and store in the refrigerator.

How to use: Consume this mixture 1-2 times a day before meals, 1 tablespoon. It is best to do this systematically as a preventive measure.

Result: This vitamin mixture strengthens the immune system and normalizes blood pressure in hypertension.

Figs, prunes and dried apricots - medicine for the spine

Figs, prunes and dried apricots contain substances that contribute to the restoration of intervertebral disc tissues, making them stronger and more resistant to stress.

Ingredients:

Prunes - 1 pc.
Dried apricots - 5 pcs.
Figs - 1 pc.

How to cook: Grind prunes, circle and figs until smooth using a food processor or meat grinder. The necessary substance for the restoration of the spine is formed precisely by mixing these fruits.

How to use: Eat dried fruits for 1.5 months before bedtime.

Result: The combination of these products improves well-being in the presence of back pain.

Pie with dried apricots

Recipe Description:

The cake with the addition of dried apricots turns out crumbly with a pleasant taste of apricots. The pie is good with both butter and margarine. It is important to give the dough time to brew so that it becomes elastic.

You will need:

dried apricots - 400 grams;
sugar - 1 glass;
butter - 350 grams;
sour cream - 350 grams;
flour - 6 glasses;
baking powder - 2 tsp;
salt - ⅓ tsp

How to cook:

Rinse the dried apricots, put them in a bowl and cover with boiling water.
In another bowl, grind half the flour with butter until crumbs form.
Add sour cream, mix, then add salt, gradually sift the flour along with the baking powder.
Knead elastic dough.
Cover the bowl with the dough with a towel for 25 minutes.
Remove dried apricots from a bowl of water, grind in a food processor, add sugar and mix thoroughly.
Pour a little water into the resulting mass of dried apricots and sugar, in which it was soaked, so that the mass becomes similar in consistency to thick sour cream.
Divide the dough into two parts, one should be larger.
Roll out most of the parts with a diameter of about 35 centimeters, transfer to a mold and put the mass of dried apricots on the dough, evenly distributing it.
Put the second part of the rolled dough on top of the laid out filling.
Fasten the edges of the dough together, and pierce the surface of the pie with a fork.
Place the cake mold in a preheated oven to 180 degrees.
Bake 45-50 minutes.
The finished cake can be decorated with powdered sugar.

Pumpkin jam with dried apricots

Recipe Description:

Pumpkin jam with dried apricots has a pleasant taste and aroma, in addition, it is very useful. It is important that the pumpkin does not remain hard after cooking.

You will need:

peeled pumpkin - 1 kg;
sugar - 4 cups;
dried apricots - 400 grams;
lemon juice - 6 tbsp

How to cook:

Cut the peeled pumpkin into 1.5 cm cubes.
Transfer to the pan in layers, pouring sugar on top of each layer, the topmost layer of pumpkin must be completely covered with sugar.
Leave the pumpkin with sugar for about 3 hours, until the juice is formed.
Stir pumpkin, add lemon juice.
Put to cook on low heat.
In another bowl, rinse the dried apricots and pour boiling water over it, drain the water.
Cut the dried apricots into 1.5 cm pieces and add to the pumpkin at the moment of boiling.
Boil for 15 minutes without letting the jam boil too much.
Turn off the heat, leave the jam to cool for 4 hours.
Simmer for another 15 minutes, being careful not to overcook the pumpkin pieces. If the pumpkin is still hard, the procedure should be repeated after 6 hours.
Prepare jars, sterilize them.
Boil the jam for another 6 minutes, put it in jars.

The video clearly shows the subtleties of making jam and the necessary consistency of the pumpkin, to which it must be boiled.

Dried apricot compote

Recipe Description:

Dried apricot compote is a taste familiar to everyone since childhood. It is very easy to prepare and pleasant at any time of the year.

You will need:

water - 1 liter;
dried apricots - 150 grams;
sugar - 3 tablespoons.

How to cook:

Pour dried apricots into a colander and rinse under water, let the water drain.
Put the washed dried apricots in a saucepan, add sugar there and cover with water.
Put on a slow fire until boiling. When the compote boils, reduce the heat and cook it for another 7 minutes, cover with a lid and turn off the heat. Leave the compote on the stove until it cools completely.

What to remember

Dried apricots are a healthy and nutritious product that saturates the body with essential trace elements.
Dried apricots are useful for children and adults. For people suffering from diabetes and pancreatitis, it can be consumed with the permission of the attending physician.
It is best to store dried fruits at a temperature of 10 degrees in glass jars.

See you in the next article!