Softly-hued yellow fruits epitomising summer, we most often see apricots these days in cans or dried, in packets.
Stock full of beta-carotene, apricots help to keep your eyesight strong and also maintain healthy hair, gums, nails and skin.
The fleshy, somewhat fibrous nature of the apricot means that they are really more suited for smoothies rather than juices - so time to get out your blender or smoothie maker.
If you're using fresh apricots in season make sure you choose ones which are fully ripe - the goodness of the fruit is at its most potent when ripe.
Apricot Benefits:
- Helps to maintain healthy cholesterol levels - dissipating bad cholesterol and promoting good cholesterol
- Contains high levels of vitamin C and minerals potassium, iron, phosphorus, boron, silicon and calcium
- Good for keeping you regular - high fiber content
- Beta-carotene helps keep your skin, hair and nails healthy
Apricots Kernels - Vitamin B17
Apricot kernels or stones contain a substance called vitamin B17 or amygdalin. Amygdalin is said to be helpful in previnting the onset of cancer and even in reversing some of its effects. It is believed that one of the reasons cancers afflict the affluent West more than anywhere else is because we have progressively removed foods containing helpful substances like amygdalin from our standard diet.
The story of B17 and its concentrated form Laetrile is told in G.Edward Griffin's book - World Without Cancer: The Story of Vitamin B17
Smoothies Featuring Apricot
