4. Sugar Content: Natural vs. Concentrated Sweetness
Whether fresh or dried, apricots’ sugar level is a major factor, particularly for individuals controlling diabetes or watching their carbohydrate consumption. Although both types have natural fruit sugars, their effects on blood sugar levels will be somewhat different.
Comparatively to many other fruits, fresh apricots have a rather low sugar level. Usually found in fructose and glucose form, a fresh apricot has roughly 3-4 grammes of sugar. The fruit’s fibre and water content along with this natural sugar concentration produce a quite low glycemic index. Fresh apricots so have little effect on blood sugar levels when eaten in moderation.
Conversely, because the drying process removes water, dried apricots have a far higher concentration of sugars. About five to six pieces of a forty-gram serving of dried apricots has 25 grammes of sugar. Because of their concentrated sugar content, dried apricots have a higher glycemic index than their fresh counterparts.
Although the sugar in dried apricots is still naturally occurring fruit sugar, the concentration indicates that eating dried apricots will make it simpler to ingest bigger quantities in one sitting. Individuals trying to cut their total sugar intake or control their blood sugar levels may find this problematic.
Still, the more sugar dried apricots contain, isn’t always bad. Dried apricots are popular among athletes and hikers since their natural sugars can give a rapid energy boost. Additionally helping to slow down the absorption of these sugars, the fibre content in dried apricots helps to reduce some of the possible blood sugar increases.
Those worried about added sugars should be sure to read the labels on dried apricots. To boost sweetness, certain commercially dried apricots could include extra sugars after processing. Choosing unsweetened dried apricots guarantees just the natural fruit sugars.