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Apricots are not only delicious but nutritionally sound. Although dried and canned Apricots are available year-round, fresh Apricots with a plentiful supply of vitamin C, are in season from May through August. Apricots are regarded as a nutritious and tonic food and enjoy world wide popularity.

Apricots are a good source of dietary fiber with insoluble cellulose and lignin in the skin and soluble pectin’s in the flesh. The Apricot’s beautiful golden color comes from deep yellow carotenes including beta-carotene that make the fruit a good source of vitamin A.

Apricots also have vitamin C and iron. Cyanogenic glycosides which are found in most stone fruit seeds, bark, and leaves are found in high concentration in Apricot seeds. The drug laetrile, a treatment for cancer, is extracted from apricot seeds. Centuries ago apricot seeds were used to treat tumors and in the 17th century apricot oil was used in England against tumors and ulcers.

Seeds of the Apricot grown in central Asia and around the Mediterranean are so sweet that they may be substituted for almonds in some dishes.

Ask your doctor about the benefits of adding apricots to your diet and how they can benefit you.

Tagged with: Apricot • beta-carotene • carotenes • dietary fiber • nutritious