Looking for a quick and healthy breakfast or snack option? Look no further than a delicious Banana Apricot Smoothie! Packed with nutritious fruit and easy to make with just a blender, this refreshing smoothie is a perfect way to start your day or give yourself a midday boost. Whether you follow a vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, or gluten-free diet, this recipe is a great option for anyone looking to enjoy a delicious and nutritious drink. Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients and steps to make this tasty smoothie.
A study in Current Nutrition & Food Science found that folks who replaced breakfast and dinner with a high-protein smoothie lost over 8 kg in 12 weeks. 1
But smoothies boast a tumbler full of other health benefits beyond your weight loss. Try this smoothie recipe below, and see 8 surprising reasons to drink Banana Apricot Smoothie. The 8 health benefits include:
- Boost immune system: Bananas and apricots are rich in vitamin C, which is essential for a strong immune system. Drinking this smoothie regularly can help boost your body’s natural defenses against infections and illnesses.
- Boost metabolism: Bananas are a great source of fiber and can help regulate your digestion and metabolism. Apricots are also rich in fiber and can help keep you feeling full and satisfied for longer periods, which can reduce cravings and aid in weight management.
- Ease arthritis pain: The anti-inflammatory properties of bananas and apricots can help reduce joint pain and inflammation associated with arthritis.
- Reduce Alzheimer’s risk: Bananas contain high levels of antioxidants and nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin B6, and potassium, which have been linked to a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Rebuild your gut after taking antibiotics: The probiotics in yogurt and kefir can help restore the good bacteria in your gut after taking antibiotics. Adding these ingredients to your smoothie can help keep your gut healthy and balanced.
- Lower blood pressure: The potassium in bananas can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Beat diabetes: The fiber and low glycemic index of bananas and apricots can help regulate blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Look younger: The high levels of antioxidants in this smoothie can help protect your skin from oxidative stress and premature aging.
Now that you know the many health benefits of Banana Apricot Smoothie, let’s dive into the recipe.
Apricots, Bananas, and Bee Pollen ruched in nutrients
Apricots are low in calories and fat while also an excellent source of many antioxidants, including beta-carotene and vitamins A, C, and E. They help protect your body from oxidative stress, which is linked to many chronic diseases.
Furthermore, Apricot is a great source of beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, all of which are potent antioxidants that help fight free radicals in your body. A good source of soluble fiber, which feeds your healthy gut bacteria and may boost digestive health.
Potassium aids nerve signaling, muscle contractions, and fluid balance. Eating potassium-rich foods, such as apricots, may help reduce your risk of stroke and prevent high blood pressure.
You cannot find a fruit with as much essential vitamin B6 – which helps maintain the health of your organs – as bananas. They are also rich in, an important mineral that balances the electrolytes in your body, especially after exercise. A banana’s mild flavor and creamy texture makes it a natural to match with perky apricots, a good source of vitamin A and the antioxidant lycopene.
Bee pollen is a mixture of pollen, nectar, enzymes, honey, beeswax, and bee secretion.
Bee pollen contains more than 250 organic substances, including proteins, carbs, fats, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants. The exact nutrient composition depends on the source of the plant and the gathering season.
Bee pollen contains a variety of antioxidants, which can protect your cells from free radical damage that is associated with chronic diseases, including cancer and type 2 diabetes.
This can help reduce the risk factors of heart disease, such as “bad” LDL cholesterol and lipid oxidation.
Test-tube studies suggest that bee pollen reduces your risk of many cancers, although more human studies are necessary. 2
How to make Banana Apricot Smoothie step-by-step
If you want to lose weight, drinking “Banana Apricot Smoothie” as breakfast meal replacements can be a convenient and delicious way to significantly slash processed carbohydrates and the calories that come with them.
This banana apricot smoothie recipe is ready in less than 5 minutes! This apricot smoothie is raw, vegetarian, refined sugar-free and ideal for breakfast!
Banana Apricot Smoothie
Equipment
- Blender or Smoothie Maker
Ingredients
- 3 pieces Apricots seeded and diced
- 1 + ½ cup Chilled apricot nectar
- 55 g Dried Apricots diced
- 32 g Whey protein powder
- 30 g Bee pollen
- 300 g Banana slices frozen
- 4 pieces Dried apricots for garnish optional
Instructions
- In a blender or smoothie maker, combine apricot nectar, fresh apricots, dried apricots, whey protein powder, and bee pollen.
- Blend at high speed for 45 seconds or until the mixture is pureed and smooth.
- Add banana slices, and blend again at high speed until the mixture is smooth.
- Serve immediately, garnished with dried apricots, if desired.
Notes
YIELD:
- 4 servings, 1 cup (235ml) per serving.
NUTRITIONAL ANALYSIS:
- Each 1-cup serving provides 227 calories;
- Total Fat= 1g;
- Saturated Fat= 0.5g;
- Protein= 4g;
- Carbohydrate= 55g;
- Dietary Fiber= 5g;
- Cholesterol= 0 mg.
TIP:
- Even bright green bananas will ripen to perfection in 3 days if you place them in a brown paper bag, together with a few.
- Apples, at room temperature.
- Apples release a gas that causes bananas to ripen faster.
- Frestedt JL, Young LR, Bell M. “Meal Replacement Beverage Twice a Day in Overweight and Obese Adults (MDRC2012-001).” Curr Nutr Food Sci. 2012 Nov;8(4):320-329. doi: 10.2174/157340112803832156. PMID: 23236298; PMCID: PMC3514724.[↩]
- Wu YD, Lou YJ. “A steroid fraction of chloroform extract from bee pollen of Brassica campestris induces apoptosis in human prostate cancer PC-3 cells.” Phytother Res. 2007 Nov;21(11):1087-91. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2235. PMID: 17639562.[↩]
I have made this twice for my breakfast and even with turning the raisins into sultanas (ie I have them!) And using a frozen banana in place of a banana and a slice of ice and a little for the first time To add apricot curd, it also worked. To make 150g bundle of apricot curd in place of well dried milk for the second time (other ingredients as the first). Either way a definite winner for me.