nutrition facts

Alexander the Great fell in love with this surprisingly sweet fruit in Asia
where he found them growing wild. When he returned to Europe from his military expeditions
he brought some with him.

The ancient Romans gave the apricot its name - from the Latin word for "precocious" - because the apricot is the first fruit of the season to ripen. The name stuck
and the apricot spread all over
from Europe
to America
and all the way to Australia.

The apricot is a fantastic fruit - loaded with beta carotene
iron
fiber
vitamin C
and several B vitamins. If you dry an apricot
its nutrients get more concentrated
making dried apricots a great snack.

Whether fresh or dried
eating apricots will help you fight the effects of aging
protect your eyesight
ward off cancer
and prevent heart disease.

4
ways apricots keep you healthy

Combats cancer.

If you get indigestion from eating tomato products - the prime source of lycopene - here's great news for you. Apricots
especially dried ones
are another source of lycopene
the amazing carotenoid that can help prevent prostate
breast
and several other cancers. Though apricots aren't nearly as good a source of lycopene - about 30 dried ones have the same amount as one tomato - munching on them throughout the day can boost your lycopene quicker than you think.

Apricots are also a good source of the most famous carotenoid of them all - beta carotene. This powerful antioxidant reduces your risk of some types of stomach and intestinal cancers. To get these benefits
experts suggest getting at least 5 milligrams of beta carotene each day. That's equal to about six fresh apricots.

Halts heart disease.

Eating dried apricots as a snack can punch up your levels of iron
potassium
beta carotene
magnesium
and copper. These important nutrients help control your blood pressure and prevent heart disease. Plus
as few as five dried apricots can give you up to 3 grams of fiber
which sweeps cholesterol out of your system before it has a chance to clog your arteries.

Chases away cataracts.

What you eat can affect your vision. Dr. Robert G. Cumming
the lead researcher for the Blue Mountains Eye Study
says
Our study confirms the importance of vitamin A for cataract prevention.
Cumming adds
Our overall conclusion is that a well-balanced diet is needed for eye health.

Since apricots are a good source of beta carotene
which your body converts to vitamin A
and several other nutrients
they could be just what you're looking for.

Adds to a long life.

Believe it or not
some people claim apricots are the secret to living to age 120. They get this idea from the Hunzas
a tribe living in the Himalayan Mountains of Asia. Common health problems
like cancer
heart disease
high blood pressure
and high cholesterol
do not exist in Hunza. And researchers are wondering if apricots
a main part of their diet
are partly responsible. The Hunzas eat fresh apricots in season and dry the rest to eat during their long
cold winter.

Although eating apricots can't guarantee you'll live a long life
recent research suggests the little fruit may help you live a better life. The B vitamins in dried apricots may protect you from Alzheimer's and age-related mental problems
like memory loss.

Pantry pointers

From June to August
the finest fresh apricots roll into your supermarket from California and Washington state. Keep your eyes peeled for the tastiest of the bunch. They'll wear a beautiful
bright orange skin
and they'll look and feel plump. Avoid apricots with yellowish or greenish tinges and those that are hard
shrunken
or bruised.

Just like their cousin the peach
apricots can ripen on your kitchen counter at room temperature. When they feel and smell ripe
wrap them in a paper bag and store them in your refrigerator. They'll stay fresh for several days.

During the winter months
satisfy your apricot craving with fruits imported from South America
or enjoy canned apricots
jams
spreads
and nectars.