Nutritional Value of Dried Apricots

Apricots, picked at the peak of the summer growing season and dried outside under the hot sun, look as if the sun's golden rays have been captured within the sweet, tart flesh of the fruit. A handful of dried apricots makes for a convenient, nutrient-rich, pick-me-up snack and can transport you back to the warmth of summer, even on the coldest winter day.

Calories

One dried apricot contains 11 calories, of which eight calories come from sugar. A snack-sized serving of 10 dried apricots contains approximately 108 calories, of which 73 calories come from sugar.

Carbohydrates

One dried apricot consists of approximately 4g of carbohydrates, including about 0.3g of dietary fiber, and 1.7g sugar. Snacking on 10 dried apricots provides 40g of carbohydrates, 3g of dietary fiber, and 17g of sugar, the equivalent of three tsp. of refined sugar, nearly one-third the recommended daily allowance (RDA) based on a 2,000-calorie diet.

Vitamins

Dried apricots are rich in vitamin A, which helps boost healthy skin and eyesight. Apricots are also a good source of vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system. Ten dried apricots provide 9 percent of the RDA of vitamin A and 13 percent of the RDA of vitamin C.

Minerals

One dried apricot provides nearly 2 percent of the RDA for calcium, a mineral that helps maintain strong bones and prevent osteoporosis. A handful of 10 dried apricots provides 20 percent of the recommended daily intake of calcium.

Sulfur Dioxide

According to the Handbook of Fruit Science and Technology, dried apricots are exposed to sulphur dioxide at the beginning of the drying process. This preservative helps dried apricots retain a natural orange color. Though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration considers sulphur dioxide to be safe, some fans of dried apricots want to reduce their exposure to sulfur dioxide, a substance that can have a negative impact on health, as confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), particularly when inhaled. Many apricot growers have responded to customer concerns and are now producing organic dried apricots. These dried apricots are not bright orange, but have a darker, orange-brown hue.

References

• Calorie Gallery: Dried Apricots
• Handbook of Fruit Science and Technology; Salunkhe, D.K. and S.S. Kalam; 1995
• CDC Health and Human Services: Sulfur Dioxide

Resources

• California Apricot Council