What You Should Know About Figs
Figs are the fruit from the ficus tree, which belongs to the mulberry family ‘Moraceae.’ Figs are known to have a unique, nice taste, soft and chewable texture, and are filled with slightly crunchy, wholesome seeds. Fresh figs are fragile and perishable, so they are often dried to preserve them. This gives a nutritious and sweet dried fruit that can be enjoyed even out of season. There are a lot of varieties of fig, and all vary widely in texture and. Their unique attribute is a little bud-like opening known as ‘ostiole’ at the top that aids the fruit development. The sweetness is so high that before the days of refined sugars, figs were used as sweeteners.
Figs are called by various names in many local languages. They are known as ‘Anjeer ‘in Hindi, ‘Atti Pazham ‘in Tamil, ‘Athi Pallu ‘in both Telugu and Malayalam, and ‘Dumoor ‘in Bengali.
The ficus tree is deciduous and can grow up to a height of about 9 meters. It has smooth white bark. The trees grow wild in arid and sunny areas that have deep and fresh soil. They also tend to grow in stony areas and may survive even in less fertile soil.
The fig trees can remain alive for up to 100 years and possess twisty and long branches that often surpass the height of the tree.
Figs are pear or oval-shaped and exist in red, white, green, yellow, purple, and black colors. You can eat the fruits dried, raw and fresh, or include them in various recipes. Figs are exotic in many parts of the world. They are juicy and sweet after ripening, and their flavor varies with their color.
In India, dry fruits are a common choice when it comes to routine munchies. The edible flesh with natural sweet flavor is not just the only threat to bite into but is also packed with nutrition. Dehydrated mangoes, raisins, dates, and berries, there are yet a variety of fruit options to choose from and even complex match (other health boosters like seeds and nuts for a complete guilt-free treat. Among all these, the only dry fruit standing out for its amazing and remarkable health properties is fig, a mulberry family member. The pear or small bell-shaped fruit is often available in its dried form all year round, but as the saying goes, there is genuinely nothing like taking it fresh. The sweet juicy flesh filled with crunchy seeds is an amazing delight, especially when the wine is grilled and drizzled with some honey on top. You may even toss it into salads with nuts, summer veggies, rocket leaves, and cheese, and you have got a lunch winner right in front of you!
Now shall we go through the amazing health benefits of this amazing fruit?
Health Benefits of Eating Figs
The first place ever I heard of these amazing fruit is in the bible, but I would like to share with you that you could also hack into its nutritious benefits.
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Weight Management
Knowing that figs are a great source of fiber, some research studies have discovered that they could enhance weight management as great-fiber foods have a positive effect. Fiber forms a vital part of our daily diet. Not just fiber is good for our gut; it has also been connected to the lowered risk of cancer and diabetes type 2. Health professionals will tell you that diets with high fiber make one feel satiated for a long time, which is why it easily fits in your weight-loss plan.
According to a research study published in the American J. of Clinical Nutrition, a fiber-filled diet can help in shedding some extra kilos. But since a dried form of this fruit is also high in calories, endeavor to consume just little quantities of it daily. Ancient practices consider dried figs to be a good source for healthily adding weight. Again, taking in moderation is the key.
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Enhance Digestive Health
Figs are also known to relieve constipation and boost overall gut health. Soak figs in water overnight and take them with honey the following morning, and you can bid farewell to your constipation issues.
Fiber is very good for digestion, and figs are packed with these dietary fibers, which aid healthy bowel movement and reduce constipation. It adds bulkiness to your stools and aids their smooth passage through the gut. The fiber in figs also fights diarrhea and soothes the entire gut.
A moderately high fiber diet is all you need to set your digestive system aright, and figs are a must to have as they keep full and inhibit you from overeating.
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Control Insomnia
A well-balanced diet is necessary for good sleep. Adding figs to your diet aids the quality of your sleep. They have tryptophan (an amino acid) that is known to help the body in secreting melatonin, which helps to induce sleep.
Fig is also high in omega-3 fatty acids that make you sleep better. Also, the tryptophan present in figs aids in synthesizing niacin (vitamin B3) in your body, which controls insomnia. Lack of niacin in your body makes you restless and unstable, which may spoil your sleep.
Figs are a great source of magnesium. Lack of magnesium in our body causes irritability and stress, which often leads to insomnia.
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Lowers Blood Pressure
Fig is a good source of potassium. Potassium is a vital mineral, which is very important for the body, and its frequent intake is claimed to help maintain blood pressure; because it helps to negate sodium’s harmful effects. Since we live on a globe where we frequently rely on processed foods, which are high in sodium content, a diet high in potassium is very essential. Doing so could also enhance digestive disorders and blood circulation. According to research carried out by the Shiga University of Medical Science in Japan, having a diet rich in potassium may protect one against kidney and heart ailments for folks with diabetes.
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Great Source of Energy
Including some figs in our diet is a sure bet to raise energy levels in our body. The sugar and carbohydrates present in figs help to raise the percentage of energy in our body.
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Treat Piles
Figs soften the stools and reduce the pressure on the rectum. Take twice a day by soaking about three figs in water. You may drink the water in which they are soaked as well. The seeds in the fruits are the active fighters that combat the piles.
Soak the figs in a cup of water for up to 12 hours before taking them. Eat them in the morning and night. It works better when you start your day by eating figs and wrap it up with the same.
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Improve Liver Health
Figs clear obstructions in our liver, thereby boosting its health. A study showed that an extract gotten from fig leaves portray some hepatoprotective activities in mice, thus making way for its use in combating hepatic damages.
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Reduce Throat Pain
Figs are in high mucilage that protects and heals against sore throat. These fruits are very soothing to our throat, and their juices relieve stress and pain in the vocal cords.
Also, a fig is a natural cure for tonsillitis. It does this by reducing the irritation and swelling caused due to the condition. Make some paste of the figs with warm water and use it on your throat. It will also help in soothing your throat and easing you off those pains.
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Reproductive Health
According to the great and ancient Greeks, figs were known to be a natural aphrodisiac and a sacred fruit. It signifies love and fertility. In ancient India, also, figs were mixed with milk and consumed. Since it is packed with minerals such as manganese, magnesium, zinc, and iron, they all aid in improving reproductive health. Also, as a home remedy, teenage girls are often advised to consume figs to overcome PMS problems. Some studies have also proved that figs may help in protecting one against hormonal imbalances and the deadly post-menopausal breast cancer; since dried figs are very high in antioxidants and fiber.
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Increase Sexual Strength
Figs are known to be a good sexual and fertility supplement. They are high in iron, calcium, zinc, and potassium. They are also high in magnesium, the mineral that is expected to produce both estrogen and androgen and the sex hormones.
