5 Health Benefits of Apricot Seed Kernels

Poison or panacea? Find out here…

Did you know that cyanide, one of the world’s deadliest poisons, comes from apricot and peach seeds? If you were to eat apricot seeds, you would grow very sick–very possibly end up dead. So how the heck could there be health benefits of apricot seed kernels? Isn’t the risk of poisoning too great? Here is what you need to know about the various health benefits of apricot seed kernels:

Fights cancer — In apricot seeds, there is a chemical called amygdalin. This toxic chemical, also known as laetrile, is converted by the body to cyanide. However, the cyanide, in small doses, may be able to kill off cancer cells. Some studies suggest that this is true; however, there are a number of studies that point to a potential health risk of using this chemical to kill carcinogens.

According to WebMD, however, this method of treating cancer “does not seem to be effective”. Perhaps the cancer-fighting claims made about apricot seed kernels are made without the proper research to back them up.

Boost immunity –– If you eat SWEET apricot seeds (the bitter apricot seeds are the kind with amygdalin), you will provide your body with a wide range of immune-boosting vitamins and minerals. One of the many health benefits of apricot seed kernels is that apricot seeds can strengthen your immune system and reduce your risk of coming down with a cold or the flu.

READ MORE: 6 Benefits of Amino Acids for Skin, Hair, and Health

Improve heart health — Eating sweet apricot seeds can lower your blood pressure, reducing your risk of a wide range of cardiovascular disorders. Thanks to the Vitamin B17 (the fancy term for amygdalin), you can get your blood pressure under control.

Improve skin health –– Apricot seed kernels are one of the most popular skin treatments around, thanks to the fact that they contain a lot of skin-friendly nutrients. For example, apricot seed oil is loaded with gamma linoleic acid, which helps to tone your skin and make it fresh and firm. The Vitamins A and E in the apricot seed oil will reduce skin aging, can prevent inflammation, and may even be able to fight eczema.

The skin benefits of apricot seed kernels don’t end there! The oil helps to moisturize and protect your skin from damage, and it’s a light oil that won’t leave a thick film on your skin. It’s often recommended as a night moisturizer due to the fact that it allows your skin to breathe, and won’t collect as much dust and dead skin cells from your pillow as other, thicker oils. The nutrients from apricot seed oil are absorbed into the skin easily, and the rough texture of the apricot seeds make them perfect to use as a skin scrub and exfoliant.

Boost hair health — Applying apricot oil to your scalp can improve the health of your skin, and can restore a healthy balance to your hair follicles. Mix apricot oil with olive oil to restore moisture to your scalp and hair, and even to repair hair damaged by dyes and chemicals. The mixture of these two antioxidant-rich oils will restore body and shine to your hair. Plus, it will protect your scalp from dryness, reducing your risk of dandruff, eczema, psoriasis, and other problems.

The truth is that apricot seed kernels do carry potential health risks. After all, who wants to expose their bodies to cyanide, even in small doses? However, if you are careful and use them correctly, the apricot seed kernels can offer you a wide range of health benefits that will improve your overall wellbeing significantly!