The fragrant and juicy pulp of apricot is loved by both children and adults. The fruit is tasty both in fresh and in processed form. But not all people know that, in addition to fruits, you can eat apricot kernels, the calorie content of which is quite high. The article will discuss the beneficial properties of nucleoli, their composition and existing contraindications.
Structure
The fruit kernels are tasty and somewhat similar to almonds. Some people are sure that they are toxic. Therefore, they try to throw them away so as not to harm their body.
Apricot kernels, the calorie content of which is 500 kcal (per 100 g of product), can and should be eaten. However, some precautions must be taken.
Initially, you should familiarize yourself with their rich composition. Bones contain: vitamins A, C, PP, and group B. In them you can find quite rare varieties of substances. For example, vitamin B 17 , which is called amygdalin. It was thanks to him that the bones got their characteristic bitter taste. In 17, he has special qualities, which will be discussed later in the article.
The product is also saturated with micro and macro elements (potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and iron).
The nutritional value
How many calories are in apricot kernels? The nutritional value of the product is quite high due to the content of fats and carbohydrates. Calorie content of 100 g of products is 500 kcal.
The experience of people who eat bones as food indicates that only a few nucleoli eaten saturate the body with useful substances so much that this is enough for 2-3 hours of activity.
Due to the high calorie content of apricot kernels (per 100 g - 500 kcal), they are not recommended for people who are overweight.
The product can be included in food both raw and fried.
Beneficial features
Apricot kernel kernels differ in caloric content and special composition. If you have them in an acceptable amount, then you can significantly strengthen the immune system.
The healing properties of the seeds were known several thousand years ago. In ancient China, they were used to treat joints.
The benefits of the product are as follows:
- stimulates the work of the heart;
- does not allow the development of cancer;
- promotes cell rejuvenation;
- prevents constipation and the development of hemorrhoids;
- intestinal motility improves and its microflora is restored;
- immunity is strengthened.
Calorie content per 100 grams of apricot kernels is high (500 kcal). Therefore, experts recommend that athletes use them in order to saturate the body with energy after serious physical exertion.
The nuclei contain a substance called tocopherol. It prevents premature aging of the body and withering of the skin.
Acids, which are part of the bones, have a positive effect on the skin, hair and nails.
The use of nucleoli is invaluable, it is best to use them during the ripening period of apricots. It is enough to dry them for several minutes in the oven and you can enjoy a special treat.
Bone treatment
Due to the increased number of calories in apricot kernels, as well as the saturation of the product with useful substances, they are widely used in the treatment of various diseases.
In their raw form, nucleoli are used to get rid of parasites, including worms.
The presence of vitamin B 17 in the product turns it into a destroyer of cancer cells. This element contains cyanide. The bitter the bone, the more in its composition this substance.
Traditional healers recommend including apricot kernels to eliminate problems in the human respiratory system.
To get rid of bronchitis, pneumonia and laryngitis, it is necessary to add 10 g of thyme, ledum, horsetail and knotweed to 20 g of nucleoli. All this is crushed and pour a glass of boiling water. Insist, filter and take 50 ml three times a day.
To reduce the symptoms of colds and conjunctivitis, pour 10 g of crushed nucleoli into 100 ml of boiling water. Insist 2-3 hours. Drink 50 ml three times a day.
For the treatment of conjunctivitis, the solution is applied externally by applying cotton pads soaked in it to the eyes.
On the basis of apricot seeds, a preparation is prepared that is able to get rid of diseases of the heart and blood vessels. The recipe for its preparation is as follows:
- 0.5 kg of lemons are ground;
- add 20 crushed apricot kernels;
- the resulting mass is poured with honey (500 ml).
The product is thoroughly mixed and insisted for 2-3 days in a cool place. Take morning and evening for 1 tbsp. spoon.
Apricot kernel oil
The useful composition of apricot kernels (calorie content 500 kcal) positively affected the properties of the oil obtained from them by cold pressing. It has the following advantages:
- Restores vascular elasticity and prevents the development of diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
- It is useful in the treatment of diseases of the digestive tract (gastritis, ulcer).
- Reduces the manifestation of constipation.
Apricot kernel oil is widely used in cosmetology. Specialists appreciated its special composition. Oil is added to ointments and creams to rejuvenate and improve the skin, as well as to improve hair condition.
Oil has special benefits, so it can be used for face skin in its pure form, as well as in masks.
Contraindications
Despite the large number of calories in apricot kernels, as well as their benefits to the body, they can also cause harm.
Scientists carefully studied their composition and came to not particularly pleasant conclusions. Eating apricot kernels is not prohibited. Harm to the body will be caused after overeating.
With the use of nuclei, the release of amygdalin begins, which is a source of prussic acid. It is his overabundance that causes severe poisoning.
Nuclei are not recommended for use in such diseases:
- diabetes;
- violation of the thyroid gland;
- liver disease.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, it is not forbidden to use kernels, but it is allowed to eat no more than 20 grams per day.
Young children can also be given in the same amount, but in the absence of allergies.
If a person eats more than 40 g of apricot kernels per day, this can lead to poisoning. The first signs can appear both after 20 minutes, and after 5-6 hours.
Symptoms of poisoning include:
- feeling of weakness;
- bouts of nausea;
- stomach ache;
- trouble breathing
- in especially acute cases, fainting or seizures may occur.
It is important when using apricot kernels not to violate the indicated dosage, and if such symptoms occur, immediately seek medical help.
Product selection and storage rules
When choosing seeds, they initially pay attention to their appearance, as well as their contents. They should not contain any food pests.
The seeds must be obtained from fully ripened fruits, otherwise the nucleoli are shriveled and unsuitable for use.
To preserve all the positive properties of apricot kernels and calories, they must be in a thin shell, which is recommended to be removed before use.
If drying is poured with a thick layer, this can lead to mold and loss of useful properties of the product.
Do not eat old apricot kernels that have been stored for several years. They contain a large number of toxic substances. Over time, the cyanide content increases.
How to prepare apricot kernels at home
The procurement of the product is simple. From ripe apricots take out the seeds and put in a suitable dish. Then they are thoroughly washed, removing the remaining fruit fibers from the surface.
The bones are laid out on a baking sheet with a thin layer and left to dry. This is best done in the air, but not in direct sunlight. Store the product in a glass or wooden container.
You can remove nucleoli from the seeds and store only them. Sometimes they are immediately fried in the oven to eliminate toxic substances. Under the influence of high temperatures, the harmful components of the nucleoli are destroyed.
Conclusion
Apricot kernels - a product that has many useful properties. The kernels are used to treat many diseases, oil made from them has special positive qualities.
Despite the benefits to the body, apricot kernels can be harmful if taken in large quantities. This is due to the content of toxic substances in their composition. Therefore, all this must be taken into account when using nucleoli.