In most cases, people regard apricot pits as garbage and throw them away, but in vain. In the core of the bone there is a huge amount of useful substances that even our ancestors knew about. The kernels can be used for culinary purposes, added to healing ointments, decoctions, infusions, and simply eaten.
| Calories per 100 g, (kcal): | 440 |
| Protein in 100 g, (g): | 14.0 |
| Fats in 100 g, (g): | 27.7 |
| Carbohydrates in 100 g, (g): | 56.3 |
| Glycemic index: | ten |
Composition and calorie content of apricot kernels
A huge amount of fatty (saturated and unsaturated) acids in the kernels of apricot kernels. They also contain minerals that have a beneficial effect on the stomach and metabolic processes in the body.
The calorie content in the kernels is high – 520 kcal. Although it is doubtful that there is a person who will eat more than 100 g of kernels per day.
They have a unique vitamin B17, and also contain a substance called “cyanide”, due to which cancer cells die.
Fat in the bones as much as 47 g, protein is almost two times less – 25 g.
Benefits of apricot pits, vitamins and minerals
The main use of nuclei is that they are an energy product. The fats contained in them are easily absorbed by the human body. The nuclei contain a lot of magnesium, phosphorus and potassium, which stimulate the work of the kidneys and heart, have a beneficial effect on the state of the thyroid gland and brain. Iron normalizes hemoglobin levels and has a good effect on the circulatory system.
The nuclei have a slight disinfecting effect.
The benefits of apricot kernels for women
For the female body, apricot pits are very useful. They have a beneficial effect on the condition of the hair and skin. The complex of nutrients strengthens joints and cartilage.
The benefits of apricot kernels for men
For a strong half of humanity, the kernels are recommended for use if you want to conceive a child. Improvement of sperm occurs due to the high content of vitamin E.
This product is useful and, if necessary, build muscle mass. Indeed, in the nuclei there is an increased amount of protein, which is easily absorbed by the body.
Apricot kernels during pregnancy and breastfeeding
During the period of bearing a child, the kernels of the bones are not recommended to be consumed. They, of course, have many useful substances, but there are also those that can harm an actively developing baby. If you really want to, you can eat 1 or 2 nucleoli, there will be no harm from such an amount.
During breastfeeding, the daily intake of nucleoli should not exceed 20 pieces.
Is it possible to have apricot seeds in childhood
There are practically no contraindications to the use of apricot kernels in childhood. They can even help deal with worms.
Are apricot pits good for weight loss?
It cannot be said that the kernels of the stones are recommended to be consumed during the diet. They are high in fat and high in calories, so it is better to refuse them.
Apricot kernels for diabetes
Regarding the benefits of bones for diabetics, there is a lot of controversy among doctors. But in folk medicine, there is even a recipe for a drug that will help lower blood sugar levels.
They can simply be consumed raw 30 minutes before the start of the meal, 3 cores each. The course of treatment is 21 days. And you can make tea out of them. Approximately 6-8 cores are poured with a glass of boiling water and insisted. Drink in 2 doses, always after eating.
How to take apricot kernels for medicinal purposes
Herbalists, above all, recommend kernels as an anti-cancer remedy. There are even scientists who support this opinion, although this theory has not found world recognition.
When coughing, use crushed kernels in the amount of 1 tablespoon per day. Use them until the removal of sputum begins and it becomes easier.
To cope with worms, you need to consume 10 kernels a day until the anthelmintic effect appears.
To clean the vessels, the kernels are fried, and the ashes from the shell are consumed daily, one spoonful, always on an empty stomach.
To strengthen immune forces and improve overall health, it is recommended to drink apricot milk. To prepare it, 200 g of the kernels are immersed in 600 ml of water, which should be at room temperature. The kernels are crushed directly in water with a blender. After that, the water is changed to clean and insisted.
In general, eating a small amount of kernels has a beneficial effect on the liver, stomach and helps to cope with kidney diseases.
The use of apricot kernels in cosmetology
Oil is made from apricot kernels. It contains a huge amount of fatty acids, which help maintain the elasticity of the skin, make it elastic. This oil can be used to treat the skin of the body, nails, make hair masks. By the way, the oil is made from the seeds, by cold pressing.
To cleanse the skin of the face, you can make the following mixture of oils. Milk and oatmeal are mixed in equal proportions and one part each of honey and apricot kernel oil are added. All components are thoroughly mixed and applied to cleansed skin.
To obtain a rejuvenating effect, one teaspoon of oil is mixed with egg yolk. Apply for 30 minutes on cleansed face.
In order for the hair to have shine and grow well, the nucleoli are crushed and added to the shampoo. You can make a mask with seed oil and lavender. They are mixed in equal proportions and rubbed into the scalp. After 30 minutes, wash your hair as usual.
Is it possible to get poisoned by apricot kernels
Yes, you can get poisoned by apricot kernels. This is due to the presence of cyanide and hydrocyanic acid in them. You can understand that poisoning has occurred by the following symptoms:
- headache;
- nausea;
- heaviness in the stomach;
- feeling of panic.
If you have symptoms, you should go to the hospital or call an ambulance. Before the doctors arrive, you should not waste time in vain, you need to drink activated charcoal and drink plenty of water.
How many apricot kernels can you eat
It is believed that poisoning occurs if a person immediately eats 40-50 g of nucleoli, depending on the person’s weight, health status and other factors.
Children are not recommended to consume more than 20 g per day.
Do not use old nucleoli, over time, the amount of harmful substances in them only increases. Therefore, the longer the bones are stored, the greater the risk of poisoning.
Apricot kernels harm and contraindications
For the most part, doctors are of the opinion that there will be no harm from the minimum dose of ossicle nucleoli. Naturally, it is necessary to abandon their use in case of individual intolerance.
It is better for pregnant and lactating women to stop eating nucleoli so as not to risk their health and the health of the baby. You should not use them for problems with the thyroid gland, with exacerbation of liver diseases.
How to select and store apricot pits
There is no special value on how the kernels will be stored, in a purified or unrefined form. But if we are talking about long-term storage, then it is better to give preference to the latter option.
The bones must be thoroughly dried before storage. Store them in a closed container, in a place where there is no access to sunlight. It is not worth storing the nucleoli and seeds for more than 12 months.
If the nucleoli have acquired a bitter taste, then they have deteriorated.
How to distinguish almonds from apricot kernels
Small almonds and apricot kernels can be easily confused. To prevent this from happening, you should pay attention to the form. Almonds are larger and their kernels are more oblong. The peel of the nucleoli of the apricot kernels has a deep and distinct pattern.
Peeling an almond is quite difficult, but peeling an apricot kernel is very simple, the husk leaves with one touch. Almonds are very hard to break with your hands, and the apricot kernel is easily broken. The last seed has a slightly bitter taste, in almonds it vaguely resembles the taste of hazelnuts.
The only thing that unites these kernels is a light aroma reminiscent of the smell of almonds.
Apricot kernels are useful seeds for the body, but on condition that they are consumed in limited quantities.