Newsletter 14
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pricot trees have been grown in Armenia, Persia, Egypt, India, China and Japan since ancient times. It is believed that Alexander the Great introduced apricots to ancient Greece and that British settlers brought apricots to the colonies of the New World. Now they are grown in all parts of the world where the climate is suitable. If you crack the stone inside a fresh apricot you will find the apricot kernel. The kernels are crunchy with a fruity, bitter flavour. It is apricot kernels that give amaretti biscuits and amaretto liquor their distinctive flavours.
Traditional Uses of Apricot Kernels The native diets of ancient cultures such as the Navajo Indians, the Himalayan Hunzas and the Abkhasians are exceptionally high in apricots and their kernels. These civilisations are well known for their longevity and low incidence of western diseases such as cancer and heart disease. The medicinal properties of apricot kernels have long been employed by Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in which they are described as having bitter and warming qualities. Their main use is in the treatment of respiratory disorders such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, wheezing and coughing. Chinese medicine also recommends them for digestive disorders, such as constipation, as they have a slight laxative effect. Apricot kernels are often added to soups and teas in China.
Nutrient Content Apricot kernels contain between 40-53% oil. About 70% of this is oleic acid, 22% linoleic acid (an essential fatty acid), 5% palmitic acid and about 1% stearic acid (1). They contain about 25% protein and between 15-18% fibre (2). The carbohydrate content of kernels varies from 17% up to 28%. Their nutrient content includes calcium and iron as well as vitamin E compounds called tocopherols which are important for healing and immune function. They also contain phytosterols which help to balance the body’s cholesterol levels (1,2). Like most plant foods they are a good source of antioxidants including polyphenols and flavanoids (3,4,5) both of which support immune function and help to protect against cardiovascular disease.
Are Apricot Kernels Controversial? There is much controversy around the medicinal use of apricot kernels, centring on their content of amygdalin or vitamin B17.
Amygdalin Amygdalin, or vitamin B17, is found in high concentrations in apricot kernels. It is found in smaller concentrations in bitter almonds, apple pips, grape seeds, cherry pips, millet and other seeds and grains. The content is much reduced in hybridised plants. Amygdalin is also sometimes referred to as laetrile which is made by purifying and concentrating amygdalin from apricot kernels. It is thought that in the past people’s diets were much higher in amygdalin than today as traditionally the seeds of plums, cherries, apples and apricots were crushed into jams and preserves meaning B17 would have been a part of our daily diets. In the 1950s, during research into the effects of diet on cancer, a biochemist named Ernst Krebb Jr hit upon amygdalin as a potential cure for cancer. Dr Krebb called it vitamin B17 as it resembled B vitamins in structure and at that time 16 B vitamins had been identified. The controversy around the effects of apricot kernels centres on the fact that amygdalin contains cyanide which is a poison. However, the theory is that many foods that contain cyanide are safe to eat because normal body cells contain an enzyme that neutralises cyanide into a harmless molecule that can be eliminated via the urine. Cancer cells, on the other hand, contain an enzyme that releases the cyanide from amygdalin but doesn’t destroy it, thus allowing the cyanide to destroy the cancer cells without harming normal body cells. Dr Krebb recommended eating about 7 kernels a day to prevent cancer. However, it should be noted that the Food Standards Agency put out a warning in April 2006 recommending that no more than 2 apricot kernels should be eaten a day.
Anti-fungal and Antibacterial Properties of Apricot Kernels The flavanoids in apricot kernels have significant anti-fungal properties including notable anti-candida activity (5,7). Bitter apricot kernels also have antibacterial activity, specifically against the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia Coli (7).
Apricot Kernels and Cancer Prostate cancer is one of the most common non-skin cancers in men. As cancer is characterised by uncontrolled cell growth treatment options usually centre around initiating programmed cell death, or apoptosis. Amygdalin, from apricot kernels, has been shown to induce apoptotic cell death in human prostate cancer cells and it is concluded that amygdalin may offer a valuable option for the treatment of prostate cancers (8). Amygdalin has also been found to down-regulate cell cyclerelated genes in human colon cancer cells (9). However, at the present time the medical establishment do not support the use of laetrile or amygdalin for the treatment of cancer as there are insufficient trials that meet the desired criteria. The review authors suggest that there is a clear need for randomised or controlled trials assessing the effectiveness of laetrile or amygdalin for cancer treatment (10,11).
How to Use Apricot Kernels The bitterness of apricot kernels works well in sweet treats which offset the strong flavour. Naturally, they go well with apricots! They are also a good accompaniment to cherries, apples, peaches and chocolate. For an easy, delicious treat put an apricot kernel inside a dried, unsulphured apricot and enjoy the combination of flavours. As they are traditionally used to flavour Amaretti biscuits here’s a recipe so you can make your own.
Despite warnings from health authorities about its toxicity apricot kernels have grown in popularity. Here’s a look at what research has found.
Amaretti Biscuits - Gluten free, dairy free.
Cardio-protective Effects of Apricot Kernels
340g/12oz of ground almonds
Apricot kernel oil has been shown to increase levels of important, endogenous antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and nitric oxide. These all have potent protective effects on the cardiovascular system. The researchers conclude that apricot kernel oil could be developed as a treatment for the prevention and treatment of myocardial infarcts (heart attacks) (6).
340g/12oz of caster sugar
Apricot Kernels and Liver Health
Whisk the egg whites until firm.
Research has shown that apricot kernels can improve fibrosis of the liver and thus can be recommended as a therapeutic option and preventative measure against liver fibrosis (4).
Gently fold in the ground almonds, ground apricot kernels, sugar and almond extract until the ingredients are combined into a smooth paste.
4 egg whites 2 tbsp ground apricot kernels 1 tsp almond extract Extra sugar for dusting Preheat the oven to gas mark 2/150C/300F and line 2 baking trays with baking parchment.
Place teaspoons of the mixture onto the lined trays leaving about 2cm between them to allow room for spreading. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Once cool, dust with caster sugar. For another treat, but without the sugar try this sugar free, gluten free recipe.
Apricot and Almond Bars (Sugar free, gluten free, vegan). 225g/8oz dried apricots, soaked for a few hours 150g/5oz almond nut butter 1 tsp almond extract 250g/9oz buckwheat flakes ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda 1 tbsp maca powder 2 tbsp bitter apricot kernels, chopped 2 tbsp hulled hemp seeds 2 tbsp cacao nibs Preheat the oven to gas mark 4/180C/350F. Line a shallow, square or rectangular oven proof tin with baking parchment. Drain the apricots and put them in a blender with the almond nut butter and almond extract and blend until you have a thick paste. It does not need to be completely smooth. Combine the buckwheat flakes, bicarbonate of soda, maca powder, apricot kernels, hemp seeds and cacao nibs in a bowl. Add the apricot and almond nut paste to the dry ingredients and combine thoroughly. Press the mixture into the lined tin and smooth the top. Bake in the oven for 35-40 minutes until golden brown. Leave to cool slightly in the tin before cutting into bars.
References Turan S, Topcu A, Karabulut I, Vural H, Hayaloglu AA. Fatty acid, triacylglycerol, phytosterol, and tocopherol variations in kernel oil of Malatya apricots from Turkey. J Agric Food Chem. 2007 Dec 26;55(26):10787-94. Gabrial GN, El-Nahry FI, Awadalla MZ, Girgis SM. Uncoventional protein sources: apricot seed kernels. Z Ernahrungswiss Suppl. 1981 Sep;20(3):208-15 Korekar G, Stobdan T, Arora R, Yadav A, Singh SB. Antioxidant capacity and phenolics content of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) kernel as a function of genotype. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2011 Nov;66(4):376-83. Abdel-Rahman MK, Can apricot kernels fatty acids delay the atrophied hepatocytes from progression to fibrosis in dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced liver injury in rats? Lipids Health Dis. 2011 Jul 7;10:114. Mahmood A, Fatima I, Kosar S, Ahmed R, Malik A. Structural determination of prunusins A and B, new C-alkylated flavonoids from Prunus domestica, by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Magn Reson Chem. 2010 Feb;48(2):151-4. Zhang J, Gu HD, Zhang L, Tian ZJ, Zhang ZQ, Shi XC, Ma WH. Protective effects of apricot kernel oil on myocardium against ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. Food Chem Toxicol. 2011 Dec;49(12):3136-41. Yigit D, Yigit N, Mavi A. Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of bitter and sweet apricot (Prunus aremeniaca L). kernels. Braz J Med Biol Res. 2009 Apr;42(4):346-52. Chang HK, Shin MS, Yang HY, Lee JW, Kim YS, Lee MH et al. Amygdalin induces apoptosis through regulation of Bax and Bcl-2 expressions in human DU145 and LNCaP prostate cancer cells. Biol Pharm Bull. 2006 Aug;29(8):1597-602. Park HJ, Yoon SH, Han LS, Zheng LT, Jung KH, et al. Amygdalin inhibits genes related to cell cycle in SNU-C4 human colon cancer cells. World J Gastroenterol. 2005 Sep 7;11(33):5156-61. Milazzo S, Ernst E, Lejeune S, Boehm K, Horneber M. Laetrile treatment for cancer. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011 Nov 9;(11):CD005476. Milazzo S, Ernst E, Lejeune S, Schmidt K. Laetrile treatment for cancer. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006 Apr 19;(2):CD005476. HYPERLINK “http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22071824.1” HYPERLINK “http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22071824.1” Writtten by Josie Cowgill Newsletter Design & photography by New Gaia Designs
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