The botanical name of the Apricot is (Armeniaca Prunus). It is a summer fruit with a sweet and sour taste. This fruit is juicy and easy to digest. The tree is 8 to 12 meters (24 to 48 ) feet tall, up to 40 cm (16 in) in diameter, with oval leaves 5 to 9 cm long and 4 to 8 cm broad. The fruit is about the size of a small peach.
Temperatures ranging from 22 F to 30 C are required for fruit ripening. It is round in shape and dark yellow in color. It has a special aroma that makes the heart happy. It can be eaten both raw and dry. It should be eaten with the peel like an apple.
The most widely cultivated apricot in the world is Prunus Armeniaca, which originated in Central Asia and China. Then it spread from South to South Asia, West to West Asia. Then gradually spread from Europe, North Africa and East to Japan.
According to the 2019 statistics of the American agency USDA, apricot production includes the names of Turkey, Uzbekistan, Iran, Italy, Algeria, Italy, Pakistan, France, Morocco and Spain. At the time these figures were released, total apricot production was 4.1 million metric tons, with Turkey accounting for 21 percent of production.
Apricot is the national fruit of Armenia, which grows mostly in the plains of Arad. Its plants bear fruit for 20 to 25 years. It is a fruit grown in cold mountain regions. Hunza Valley is the center of high quality apricot production in Pakistan. Other places include Chitral, Gilgit Valley, Baltistan, Mardan, Ziarat, Hazara, Kalat, Swat, Abbottabad and Quetta.
It has more than 20 varieties. Some of the popular types are:
1. (Prunus dasycarpa)
2. (Prunus hongpingensis)
3. (Hypotrichodes Prunus)
4. (limeixing Prunus)
5. (Prunus mandshurica)
6. (Mume Prunus)
7. (Zhengheensis Prunus)
Apricot is a very useful and effective fruit. It contains phytochemicals. For example
* Beta carotene
* polyphenols
* Catchins
* Chlorogenic acid
* Sucrose
* Terpene
All these compounds protect the body from oxidative stress by neutralizing the effects of free radicals. The nutritional value of 100 grams of apricots is as follows.
Calories 48, water 86 grams, carbohydrates 11 grams, sugar 9 grams, dietary fiber 2 grams, fat 0.4 grams, protein 1.4 grams, vitamin A 96 micrograms, beta-carotene 1094 micrograms, lutein zeaxanthin 89 micrograms, thiamine B1 0.03 mg Gram, Riboflavin 0.04 B2 mg, Niacin B3 0.6 mg, Pantothenic acid B5 0.24 mg, Vitamin B6 0.054 mg, Folate B9 9 micrograms, Vitamin C 10 mg, Vitamin E 0.89 mg, Vitamin K 3.3 micrograms, calcium 13 mg, iron 0.4 mg, magnesium 10 mg, magnesium 0.077 mg, 23 mg, potassium 259 mg, sodium 1 mg and zinc 0.2 mg are found.
Now let's highlight some of the medical benefits of apricots.
1. Protection of eyes from various diseases: Apricot contains several compounds that are very important for eye health. Including vitamins A, E, and C. Vitamin A prevents night blindness and plays an important role in maintaining vision. It is a disorder caused by a lack of light pigments in the eyes, while vitamin E enters the eyes directly to protect them from free radicals. Apricots contain beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamins A, E, and C which protect against various diseases.
2. Protection against skin diseases: Apricot is a pioneer in skin protection. The main damage to the skin is environmental pollution, strong sun rays, and cigarette smoke. A malignant form of skin cancer is melatonin, which is a direct sign of skin cancer. Apricot is a fruit rich in antioxidants.
Vitamin C and Vitamin E both protect the skin. Further, these vitamins help in the formation of collagen, which provides strength and elasticity to the skin. The beta-carotene in apricots also protects against sunburn and strong rays. They reduce the severity of the disease by about twenty percent. Apricot oil can be an effective treatment for various skin diseases like eczema, scabies, eczema, and blemishes.
3. Dehydration: Like most fruits, apricots are naturally high in water content. which regulates blood pressure, body temperature, joint health, and heart rate, people who do not drink much water should eat fresh fruit to avoid dehydration.
4. Liver protection: Apricots have the natural ability to protect the liver from oxidative stress. The antioxidants present in it protect against fatty liver.
5. Bone strength: Apricot plays an important role in bone growth. It contains almost all the minerals like calcium, phosphorus, iron, copper, magnesium, and manganese that prevent diseases like osteoporosis.
6. Colds and Sore Throat: Apricots should be consumed daily to relieve colds, colds, sore throats, and bad breath, as apricots are fast-digesting fruits that also eliminate acidity and sour belches.
Lycopene present in it cleans the arteries by reducing the level of harmful cholesterol (LDA). It not only reduces obesity but also reduces many dangerous heart diseases.
7. Protects the heart from various diseases: Apricots naturally contain phytochemicals, which protect against diseases like atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke.
The presence of potassium in it keeps the blood pressure normal by reducing the stress on the heart vessels and arteries, while the dietary fiber removes excess cholesterol from the blood vessels and arteries.
8. To relieve fever: Apricot juice is often useful for fever, as it provides the body with essential vitamins, minerals, and water, which instantly restores energy in the body. Apricots can be boiled or eaten in the form of squares. It quickly reduces the raised temperature.
9. Anemia: Apricot is an excellent source of iron and copper. If you suffer from anemia, you can add iron to your diet to increase your iron levels. Lack of iron causes low energy, fatigue, headache, and digestive problems in the body. Apricot is the best fruit to cure anemia. It can be eaten raw or dry.
10. Earache: Apricot oil is very effective in earache. Dropping a few drops of apricot kernel oil in the affected ear instantly cures the earache. Deafness is also cured by its use.
11. Cancer Prevention: Apricots contain several phytochemicals that act as antioxidants. including polyphenols, flavonoids, and beta-carotene. They protect against daily cell damage.
12. Gut Health: Apricots contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. Glycerin is water soluble which plays an important role in maintaining blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
13. Type 2 diabetes: Eating apricots is very beneficial in type 2 diabetes. It reduces elevated sugar levels. Diabetic patients can use it in their diet. It has a natural sweetness that satisfies sweet cravings.