This fragrant, sweet and vibrant fruit has been eye-catching since mid-summer. By the beginning of August, the peak of the apricot season begins. And if you were lucky enough to find really ripe berries on the shelves, then try to eat them as much as possible. As you know, it is seasonal fruits that are the most useful, and not those that were brought from another hemisphere of the planet and stored for six months.
So, what do apricots give us and how are they useful for the thyroid gland?
Generally speaking, apricot is a storehouse of essential trace elements, vitamins, carbohydrates, amino acids and fiber. Saturating the body, apricot helps maintain normal metabolism and the full functioning of all organs.
Apricots contain large amount of minerals necessary for healthy growth and bone formation. Calcium, phosphorus, manganese, iron and copper - all these components are present in apricots! Regular consumption of apricots helps prevent weakening of bones and the development of bone diseases (osteoporosis).
Apricots are an excellent “food to protect the heart". Beta-carotene, vitamin C, potassium and fiber contribute to the normal functioning of the heart. Vitamin C, for example, protects the heart from free radical damage, while potassium lowers blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels and arteries. The same calcium also contributes to the normal functioning of the heart muscle and all other muscles of the body.
Cellular tissue (dietary fiber) is useful for the digestion process, as stimulate the development of beneficial bacteria in the intestines. Dietary fiber also helps control body weight and attenuate risk factors for heart disease.
Apricots also contain antioxidants, primarily flavonoids. They help protect the body from oxidative stress, which is associated with many chronic diseases.
In addition to vitamin C, apricots contain provitamins A, vitamins E, K and B vitamins. It is due to the high content of carotenoids (provitamins A) that apricot has such a rich orange color (like carrots and sea buckthorn berries).
Carotenoids are converted in the body into vitamin A, which performs the most important biological functions in the body, mainly related to the immune system, as well as the health of the organs of vision, bones and skin. Vitamins contained in apricots are antioxidants that help protect cells of all organs from oxidative damage.
Researchers have proven that cultivated apricot varieties have a significantly higher vitamin content than wild apricots (1.8-4.6 times).
Apricot oil, obtained from apricot kernels, is one of the few vegetable oils that contain lipids similar to human skin lipids. Therefore, apricot oil copes with peeling, itching and irritation of the skin and mucous membranes.
It is also known that apricot contains a small amount of selenium, which is required for the normal functioning of the thyroid gland. On average, 0.03 micrograms of selenium is contained in one apricot fruit, while an adult needs 55 micrograms per day (you can calculate how many apricots you need to get a daily amount of selenium; therefore, just enjoy your meal without thinking about specific micrograms).
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So, we conclude that apricot is useful for the body as a whole. It does not have any specific features specifically for the thyroid gland. But a person receives from him a set of vitamins and minerals that help all organs to perform their functions.
One average apricot contains only 17 kilocalories, so feel free to buy and eat this fragrant summer wonder!