APRICOTS: ARMENIA'S APPLE

March 07, 2019 / Ashley Romanchuk

Etymology

The apricot tree is of the genus Prunus meaning that it bears stone fruits, called Prunus armeniaca and the species of fruit (the apricot) was originally termed in English as <<Mala Armeniaca>> meaning Armenian Apple

The term Apricot first appeared in English as ‘abrecock’ in the 16th century from Middle French (aubercot, or later as abricot) which came from Arabic الْبَرْقُوق (al-barqūq, "the plums"), from Byzantine Greek βερικοκκίᾱ (berikokkíā, "apricot tree"), derived from late Greek πραικόκιον (praikókion, "apricot") from Latin [persica] praecocia (praecoquus, "early ripening" [peach]).[1,2,3]

Apricots are the National Fruit of Armenia and mostly grow in the Ararat Plain. It is believed that it originates from Armenia although some botanists believe it to be from China or India. Culturally it is said that the best apricots come from Damascus. Either way, they were definitely traded in the Persian trade route since antiquity and still remain a staple food in Iran. Apricot season is short though and because of that, it has given rise to the common Arabic expression filmishmish ("in apricot [season]") or bukra filmishmish ("tomorrow in apricot [season]"), generally uttered as a riposte to an unlikely prediction. Today, the world’s largest producer of dried apricots is Turkey.

Phytochemicals and Nutritional Value

Apricots are an incredible source of Potassium and Iron as well as Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E and B vitamins. The concentrations of their nutritional elements are increased in the drying process so eating a good source of naturally dried organic apricots actually holds more bioavailablity of the nutrients

The various phytochemicals in apricots include provitamin A beta-carotene, polyphenols (inclding catechizes and chlorogenic acids) as well as sucrose, glucose, organic acids, terpenes, aldehydes and lactones.

Bone of Apricot, The Apricot Stone:

Apricot Kernels, the seeds, contain amygdalin which can be converted in the body into cynanide and is thus considered a poisonous compound. There are two types of kernels, bitter and sweet and the bitter apricot kernels contain 5% amygdalin whereas the sweet kernes contain 0.9% amygdalin.

Health Benefits

Huge antioxidant potential that protects against free radical damage and thus helps prevent and reverse the signs of the aging process

Diets rich in the flavonoids and polyphenols (found in high concentrations in apricots) are linked to reductions specifically in human heart disease and maintenance of healthy arteries, veins and collagen. Important antioxidants in Apricots are:

• Quercetin

• Proanthocyanidins

• Catechins

• Epicatechins

• Hydroxycinnamics

• Gallic acid

• Caffeic acid

• Coumaric acid

• Ferulic acid

2. Apricots are rich in carotenoids and xanthophylls, nutrients are protect your eyesight from age-related damage. Specifically, one of the nutrients in apricots called lutein has been shown to protect the retina from damage from light.

3. Anti-inflammatory Action

Apricots are a good dietary source of catechins, which is also the notable flavonoid (EGCG) present in Green Tea that has given it its special known use of being very medicinal. A single apricot provides 4-5 g of catechins. Catechins are shown to inhibit the activity of an enzyme called cyclooxyrgenase-2 (Cox-2) which is one of the critical steps in the inflammatory cascade that occurs in the body. Therefore, the blocking of Cox-2 gives anti-inflammatory action (also resulting in less pain in the body as inflammation = pain). Besides apricots and Green Tea, another strong source of catechins is from the Cocoa bean. Catechins are also shown, because of this process, to give better blood pressure control. The synthetic pain relievers, such as aspirin, are synthetic copies of the salicylates found in botanical medicines (Salix alba aka White Willow Bark predominantly) that work on the same mechanism of irreversibly inhibiting the activity of Cox-2 however the wide range of side affects such as ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeds are not inherent in the natural food sources. Thus if you are in pain, find some apricots to eat before swallowing a pill.

4. Supports Digestive Health

Apricots are a good source of dietary fiber. They are also about half soluble finer and half insoluble fiber. We need both in our diet. Soluble finer shows to help control blood sugar levels and control blood cholesterol levels.

Apricots and Medicine

Apricots have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries. The classical word 杏壇 literally mean "apricot alter” (xìng tán 杏坛) which means "educational circle", and it is still widely used in written language. The Chinese philosopher Chuang Tzu, in the fourth century BCE, told a story that Confucius taught his students in a forum surrounded by the wood of apricot trees. The story of Dong Feng (董奉), a physician during the Three Kingdoms Period, tells the use of apricot kernels in the ancient medicine. At this time, it was traditional that a healer or a medicine person required no payment from his patients however, this physician asked that they plant apricot trees in his orchard upon recovering from their illnesses, resulting in a large grove of apricot trees and a steady supply of medicinal ingredients. The term "expert of the apricot grove" (杏林高手) is still used as a poetic reference to physicians.

The apricot blossoms in the northwest Chinese province of Xinjiang.

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