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Health Benefit Of Apricot...An Amazing Fruit Bursting With Antioxidants and Nutrition

The health benefit of apricot is quite amazing.

Not only is it bursting with goodness it is a great favorite for people on a diet.

Why?

Well...it provides a large amount of healthful nutrition to the body but it is extremely low in calories compared to other fruits. It is estimated that three apricots provide only 50 calories. And totally fat free too.

Did you know that 2-3 fresh apricots will satisfy nearly 50% of your daily value (RDA) of beta carotene. It is also high in lycopene...a powerful antioxidant....which makes apricots a heart healthy food and help to strenghten the immune system.

Both beta-carotene and lycopene protect LDL (bad) cholesterol from oxidation, which may help prevent heart disease.

What does beta carotene do? Well for starters it is a powerful antioxidant. It also helps the arteries, preventing plaque build up in them. Your eyes will be protected from sun damage and beta carotene deactivates harmful free radicals that, as we all know increases the risk of many diseases including cancer.

Our bodies convert beta carotene to vitamin A. That's good news for your eyes. Not only will it help vision but it will also keep the eyes well lubricated. People who wear contact lens should take note of this and include apricots in their diet.

More health benefit of apricot...they are great for the blood too. They contain significant levels of iron which is essential for hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying pigment in red blood cells. If our bodies are low in iron it can lead to anaemia, pale skin, and even undernourished thinning hair.

Apricots have nutrients that can protect the heart as well as a great source of fibre, which has a host of benefits including preventing constipation and digestive conditions such as diverticulosis(a painful bowel condition which is associated with aging).

Fresh apricots are an excellent source of Vitamins A, C, E and potassium too.

The health benefit of apricot is even better if you eat them dried. Not only can they be enjoyed all year round, but also they have an even higher concentration of vitamins and nutrients, but a word of warning...they are slightly higher in carbs.

It is believed that apricots are healthier...in some cases...compared to other fruits such as bananas, apples pears and oranges..but the health benefit of apricot is often overlooked in favour of these common fruits.

Dr Mosaraf Ali has written a fantstic book called..Dr Ali's Nutrition Bible...he knows his stuff, he is the UK's leading integrated health specialist. This is what he says about the health benefit of apricot....

"When I spent a few days with a little known tribe in the Himalayas, I wa amazed to see how precious apricots were to them. They believed they gave them longevity (many of the villagers were over 100 years old). The kernel provided fuel for cooking oil, while the flesh of the fruit provided vitamins and minerals (especially zinc and iron) and useful protein.

Dried apricots do not attract bacteria because the skin has antibacterial properties, and during the long winter months, dried apricots are a great source of vitamins and minerals. The high fibre content eases bowel movements, and apricot oil has anti-inflammatory properties, both when rubbed into joints or taken internally"

Can Apricots Hold The Key To Curing Cancer?

Finally..Apricots may hold the golden key to curing cancer. Yes it sounds incredible dosen't it? But it really could be possible. Read on....

As we know in the middle of any fresh apricot is a stone. Well inside that stone is a kernel. Apricot kernels are, like most nuts and seeds, very nutritious. Among the nutrients they contain is one called amygdalin,...which is also known as vitamin B17. This attacks cancer cells, thus helping to prevent cancer from breaking out in our bodies.

Amygdalin (vitamin B17) is contained in many hundreds of foods, but ones that are particularly rich in amygdalin have disappeared to a large extent from the Western diet. People throughout the world who still eat a traditional diet, have been found to be largely free from cancer. Yes read that again...largely free from cancer. These diets are rich in foods containing amygdalin.

Learn more about vitamin B17 and just how powerful it is.