Apricot - A Super Ingredient for Health

Apricots are a delightful fruit full of beta carotene, vitamin A, and other protective antioxidants. But did you know that apricot is also an incredible supplemental ingredient as well? When processed into an easy-to-take form and added to the right supplements, apricot can provide remarkable health benefits. Keep reading to learn all about why apricot is a superstar ingredient and how it can enhance your well-being.

What Are the Benefits of Apricot as a Supplement Ingredient?

There are many excellent reasons to seek out supplements containing apricot extract or apricot powder. Here are some of the top benefits this oval orange fruit can contribute:

Boosts Immunity

Apricots contain nutrients like vitamin A and vitamin C that support immune health. As an ingredient in lozenges, capsules or powders, apricot can give your immune cells the fuel they need to function at their best. Taking just one apricot supplement a day may bolster immunity against viruses and bacteria.

Supports Skin Health

The antioxidant lycopene found in apricots helps protect skin from sun damage. It also enables the renewal of skin cells and collagen. Look for apricot creams and moisturisers as well as supplement capsules containing this powerful ingredient to keep the skin looking its best. The vitamin C in apricot also helps build collagen for a supple and youthful complexion.

Eases Inflammation

Lycopene and other carotenoid antioxidants in apricots calm inflammatory pathways in the body. Uncontrolled inflammation is at the root of most chronic diseases. By keeping inflammation in check, apricot supplements may help lower the risk of inflammatory problems ranging from arthritis to heart disease.

Protects Eye Health

Remember apricot’s beta carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin content? All those protective compounds accumulate in the eyes, helping to prevent macular degeneration and other age-related vision loss. When seeking ways to keep eyes sharp well into older age, look for supplements containing apricot.

Supports Digestion

The high fibre content and concentration of prebiotics in dried or powdered apricot make it an excellent digestive aid. Taking just one or two apricot capsules per day may help ease constipation while also nourishing beneficial gut bacteria for overall digestive health.

Frequently Asked Questions About Apricot Supplements

If you are considering supplements containing apricot, chances are you have some questions. Here we cover the top FAQs about this increasingly popular ingredient:

How is apricot used in supplements?

Supplement makers process fresh apricots into several ingredient forms. Most commonly, you’ll find apricot in supplements as a powder or an extract. The powder is simply dried, ground apricots that retain the full nutrition content in an easily mixed compound. Extracts make use of chemical solvents to isolate specific beneficial compounds from apricots. These extracts then get concentrated into a potent health booster. Whether as a whole food powder or isolated extract, apricot is an extremely versatile ingredient to include in capsules, tablets, lozenges and chews.

What’s better - fresh or dried apricots for health?

While fresh apricots do have stellar nutritional value, the concentration of health protective antioxidants actually gets enhanced in the drying process. As apricots lose their water content when made into dried fruit or powders, the vitamins, minerals and beneficial plant chemicals become more concentrated. All of those compounds deliver better absorption and more benefits. Dried apricot ingredients have also typically undergone processing to maximise stable nutrient levels. So supplements with dried apricot tend to provide greater health advantages.

Do apricot supplements have side effects?

Apricot fruit ingredients are extremely non-toxic and safe for most people. However, supplements containing high amounts of isolated lycopene or beta carotene could potentially cause nausea or digestive upset in some individuals. As with any supplement, it’s wise to begin with low doses and taper up slowly to find the right tolerance level. Those already taking high-dose vitamin A supplements should not additionally take high amounts of preformed vitamin A from apricot without medical oversight.

Can you be allergic to apricots?

It is possible to have an apricot allergy, typically triggered by the proteins found inside the fruit seeds or within the flesh itself. An allergy will cause symptoms like itching, swelling and difficulty breathing. People with known allergies to apples, plums, cherries or peaches could potentially cross-react to apricots. If unsure about an apricot allergy, always seek testing before taking apricot supplements.

What’s the best way to take apricot supplements?

The most convenient delivery formats for apricot supplements are capsules, softgels and tablets. These pre-measured doses make it easy to obtain your desired intake. Simply swallow with water at mealtimes or as recommended by the product directions. Apricot is also suitable for lozenges, gummy chews and drink powders. For external benefits, use apricot-containing skin creams. Pay attention to dose sizes, which can range from 50 milligrams for some capsules to 1000 milligrams or beyond if using powders. More is not necessarily better with certain compounds like lycopene which become ineffective in very high amounts.

Should you take apricot supplements daily or cycle doses?

A moderate daily dose of apricot supplements tends to work well for ongoing benefits. Most manufacturers formulate their apricot capsules or complex formulas for once or twice daily intake. However, some people may prefer occasional higher doses taken in a cycle of using apricot supplements for 1-2 months then taking a break before resuming again. This cycling approach works well to build up the body’s stores of beneficial compounds intermittently. As always, follow the usage recommendations of any quality apricot supplement products.

The Power of Apricot for Wellbeing

With a sweet flavour and dense supply of immunity and health helpers, apricot is truly one of nature’s super fruits. Taking it a step further by concentrating apricot’s nutrients and plant chemicals into convenient supplemental forms unlocks even more of this ingredient’s huge potential. When shopping for your own daily wellness boosters or restorative formulas, be sure to check for apricot on the labels. Let this bright orange fruit provide a dose of nutrition that keeps you looking and feeling your best all year round.