miracle fruit apricots: yakshi nuts

Apricots are a great source of fibre the element in our diet which most of us neglect yet which can help prevent heart disease, diabetes, weight gain and some cancers.

Vitamin A is essential for maintaining the structure and function of the skin and mucous membranes.

 It comes in two forms. Retinol is found in animal derived foods and carotenoids found mainly in plants.

It is the beta carotene in apricots that makes them such a notable source of the carotenoid benefits which may include helping to protect the eyes from age-related damage

Vitamin C cannot be stored in the body and we therefore need to eat it every day. 

It helps protect cells and is involved in the creation of collagen which maintains connective tissues which are vital for the maintenance of the skin, cartilage and bones, it's therefore crucial for the healing process.

Vitamin C is also an important antioxidant and also helps with the absorbing iron into the body. 

This is useful since the iron contained in apricots is of the variety (called non-heme) which needs help with absorption.

The notable potassium levels in apricots help supply a mineral that is critical to our health. Potassium not only controls the balance of fluids in the body but also the proper functioning of the heart and brain (it may also help control blood pressure).

The recommended potassium intake target is 3,500 mg. 

Four or five dried apricots can supply around a fifth of this requirement.

 They will also supply the minerals iron, zinc, calcium and manganese.

Apricots were once regarded as an aphrodisiac

In the 16th century apricots were regarded as having aphrodisiac qualities as suggested by

 Shakespeare in A Midsummer Nights Dream. When Titania, the Queen of the Fairies, wants Bottom the weaver to fall for her she tells her helpers;

"Be kind and courteous to this gentleman. Hop in his walk and gambol in his eyes. Feed him with apricoks and dewberries, with purple grapes, green figs and mulberries."

There are still some who maintain the aphrodisiac link but this may be on the basis that apricots are so good for your health they are bound to be good for your sex life.