Many studies have shown that adding apricots to your diet can effectively support the process of losing fat, especially excess body fat. Not only that, this fruit also provides many essential nutrients for the body such as antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.
Apricot season is approaching, which is also the ideal time to take advantage of this nutritious fruit in your diet. This fruit is still known for its high fiber, vitamin and mineral content, but few people expect that apricots also contain a lot of protein to help support metabolism and effectively limit excess fat accumulation.
Nutrient composition in apricots
Apricots are an abundant source of essential vitamins and minerals. On average, 100g of fresh apricots (equivalent to about 2 fruits) provide about 48 kcal along with important nutrients such as: 9g of sugar, 2g of fiber, 0.4g of fat, 0.4mg of iron and 0.5 – 1g of protein. In addition, this fruit also provides a significant amount of important vitamins, including vitamin A (12% of daily needs), vitamin C (12%) and vitamin E (8%).
Apricots are rich in vitamins and minerals.
Not only rich in nutrients, the apricot flesh also contains about 2.5% organic acids, mainly citric acid and tartaric acid. These two compounds have been studied and extracted for use in inhibiting Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, helping to support health.
In addition to the flesh, the apricot kernel also contains many beneficial ingredients, of which up to 40% is almond oil, along with 3% amygdalin and vitamin B15.
The effect of apricots in supporting fat loss
According to a study published in the journal Food Research International, 100 grams of fresh apricots contain about 0.5 to 1 gram of protein. Although this amount of protein is not as high as other protein-rich foods such as meat, fish or beans, it still plays a certain role in supporting fat loss. Adding protein to your diet helps maintain muscle mass, thereby helping to burn more calories even at rest.
In addition, apricots are also a rich source of fiber, supporting the digestive system to function better and reducing cravings, contributing to weight control. Fiber from natural foods such as apricots not only helps reduce visceral fat accumulation but also helps regulate metabolism, limit the absorption of too many calories, thereby supporting the reduction of belly fat.
The protein content in apricots plays a certain role in supporting fat loss.
Moreover, powerful antioxidants such as vitamin C and beta-carotene in apricots not only help protect cells from free radical attacks but also promote fat loss by limiting inflammation and enhancing metabolism.
Although the protein content in apricots is not too high, thanks to the combination of fiber, vitamins and minerals, this fruit can still become a useful part of the diet. Thanks to these properties, apricots help maintain muscle, improve digestion and support metabolism, thereby bringing sustainable fat loss effects.
Apricot harvest time
Apricots start to be in season from the beginning of March. However, at this time, the fruit is still small, green and bitter. It is not until mid-March and early April that apricots really come into season. This is the stage when apricots are ripest, have a characteristic aroma, the best taste and the price is also more reasonable. In May, ripe yellow apricots are still sold, but the quantity is gradually becoming scarce, not as much as in April.
Apricots come into season from early March.
Some notes when eating apricots
Although apricots bring many benefits in supporting fat loss, you still need to pay attention to some of the following issues when using them to ensure safety:
- Apricots have a very distinct sour taste, if eaten regularly, it can affect tooth enamel, making teeth susceptible to pain or damage.
- Apricot seeds contain amygdalin – a compound that can be converted into cyanide when entering the body and causing poisoning. Therefore, you should remove the seeds when eating or processing apricots into smoothies or juices.
- People who are allergic to peaches are also at risk of being allergic to apricots, so be careful with people with a history of food allergies.
- The layer of fluff on the apricot shell can cause irritation, making the throat itchy or uncomfortable. To avoid this condition, you should soak and wash the apricots before using.
Apricots are rich in protein, fiber and important nutrients that help support natural fat loss. Thanks to its ability to boost metabolism and limit fat accumulation, apricots are a great choice for those looking for foods that support safe and effective weight control.