Health Benefits of Figs

Often mentioned in the Bible as a sign of peace and prosperity, the fig tree is so ancient, remnants of the fruit have been discovered in Neolithic excavations sites circa 5,000 B.C. Thought to be native to Western Asia or Egypt, figs were cultivated very early throughout the Middle East and Europe and finally reached England and China by the mid-1500s. Spanish missionaries planted orchards in California in the late 19th century, where they still thrive today.

Belonging to the mulberry family, there is a plethora of fig tree varieties. Most of them are small at 10-30 feet and thrive in warm, dry climates. Pollinated by a tiny wasp, fig trees never blossom because the flowers are on the inside, producing dozens and sometimes hundreds of miniscule seeds that give figs their unique, crunchy texture.

Considered exotic in some areas of the world, figs are sweet and juicy when ripe. They can be red, yellow, or purple-skinned or green-striped, each with their own unique flavor. But before they reach optimal ripeness, figs are gummy with “latex,” which contains serious skin irritants, so protective measures for workers are sometimes mandated for fig production operations.

Dried figs are sometimes roasted and ground as a coffee substitute or converted into alcohol as a liqueur or tobacco flavoring.

Figs are quite perishable and should be refrigerated if not eaten within a few days. Like apples, figs are a great snack by themselves, but also can be added either peeled or unpeeled to many recipes. It's interesting that the seeds only add to the satisfying, tasty chewiness. Best at the firm-to-tender stage, the more ripe they are, the more antioxidants they provide.

Health Benefits of Figs

1. Enhance Digestive Health 

Figs relieve constipation and improve the overall digestive health. Soak 2-3 figs in water overnight and consume them with honey the next morning, and you can bid goodbye to your constipation woes.

Fiber is great for digestion, and figs are loaded with dietary fiber, which aids healthy bowel movement and relieves constipation . It adds bulk to the stools and promotes their smooth passage through the body. The fiber in figs also treats diarrhea and soothes the entire digestive system.

A high fiber diet is what you need to set your digestive system right, and figs are a must-have as they make you feel full and stop you from overeating

2. Improve Heart Health 

Figs reduce the triglyceride levels in your blood and contribute to improving your heart health.

Triglycerides are fat particles in the blood that are a leading cause of heart diseases. Also, the antioxidants in figs get rid of the free radicals in the body, which block the coronary arteries and cause coronary heart disease .

Figs also contain phenols and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that decrease the risk of heart disease.

3. Lower Cholesterol

Figs contain pectin, a soluble fiber that is known to reduce cholesterol levels . The fiber in figs clears the excess cholesterol in your digestive system and carries it to the bowels to eliminate it.

Figs also contain vitamin B6 that is responsible for producing serotonin. This serotonin boosts your mood and lowers cholesterol.

Dry figs reduce the overall cholesterol as they contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and phytosterols that decrease the natural cholesterol synthesis in the body.

4. Prevent Colon Cancer

Regular consumption of figs can lower the risk of colon cancer . The fiber in figs helps to eliminate the waste in the body quickly, which works well for the prevention of colon cancer.

The numerous seeds in figs contain high levels of mucin that collects wastes and mucus in the colon and flushes them out.

5. Cure Anemia

Lack of iron in the body can cause iron-deficiency anemia. Dried figs contain iron, which is a key component of hemoglobin. Consuming dried figs was found to improve the hemoglobin levels in the blood .

Growing children, adolescents, and menstruating and pregnant women specifically should monitor their iron levels to avoid complications. Also, if you are ill or have undergone surgery, include figs in your diet to increase the iron levels in your body and deal with the problem efficiently .

6. Lower Sugar Levels In Diabetic Patients 

Not just the fruit, but the leaves also have benefits for your health. Fig leaves have amazing properties that help regulate your blood glucose levels. According to a study, including fig leaves in the diet helped control the rise in blood sugar post a meal in insulin-dependent diabetics .

You can consume fig leaves in the form of tea. You can boil 4-5 fig leaves in filtered water and drink this as tea. You can also dry fig leaves and grind them to obtain a powder. Add two tablespoons of this powder to a liter of water and boil it. Voila! Your tea is ready!

7. Prevent Breast Cancer

 Figs are amongst those fruits that contain the highest amount of fiber. And it was found that women who consumed more dietary fiber during adolescence and early adulthood were at a lesser risk of falling prey to breast cancer .

High intake of fiber was associated with 16% lower risk of overall breast cancer and 24% lower risk of breast cancer before the onset of menopause .

Fig extracts and dried figs are known to contain elements that help in preventing postmenopausal breast cancer.

8. Strengthen Bones

Figs contain calcium, potassium, and magnesium, all of which aid bone health . Figs improve bone density and decrease the breakdown of bones, which begins as you age. Calcium is crucial to maintaining healthy bones and figs are one of the best sources of it .

Figs contain potassium that counteracts the increased urinary calcium loss caused by high-salt diets . This prevents your bones from thinning out.

9. Rich In Antioxidants

Figs are a powerhouse of antioxidants, and they neutralize the free radicals in your body and fight diseases. The riper a fig is, the more antioxidants it contains.

Figs are a rich source of phenolic antioxidants. The antioxidants in figs enrich the lipoproteins in plasma and shield them from further oxidation .

10. Regulate High Blood Pressure

Studies show that including figs in your daily diet helps to lower blood pressure . The fiber in figs lowers the risk of high blood pressure whereas the potassium content of figs helps maintain it .

Apart from potassium, the omega-3s and omega-6s in figs also help in maintaining blood pressure.

11. Prevent Hypertension

When you consume less of potassium and more of sodium, it disturbs the sodium-potassium balance in your body, paving the way for hypertension . Figs help restore this balance as they are rich in potassium.

12. Increase Sexual Stamina

Figs are considered to be a great fertility and sexual supplement. They are rich in calcium, iron, potassium, and zinc. They are also rich in magnesium, the mineral that is required to produce the sex hormones androgen and estrogen .

Figs help with various types of sexual dysfunction like sterility, erectile dysfunction, and sexual appetite. There is no strong science backup, but in many cultures, figs are considered as symbols of fertility. They also produce an amino acid that is responsible for increasing the production of nitric oxide, which expands the blood vessels and increases blood flow to all parts of the body, including the sexual organs.

Soak figs in milk overnight and eat them the next day to enhance your sexual abilities.

13. Treat Asthma

An efficient method to deal with bronchial asthma is to consume a mixture of powdered fenugreek seeds, honey, and figs. You can also consume fig juice to obtain relief from asthma.

Figs moisturize the mucous membrane and drain the phlegm, thereby relieving asthma symptoms. They also contain phytochemical compounds that fight the free radicals, which otherwise trigger asthma.

14. Prevent Venereal Disease

The consumption or application of fig extracts is known to provide relief from sexually transmitted diseases in many cultures. Figs are known to have been used as a calming balm for venereal diseases.

15. Reduce Throat Pain

Figs contain high mucilage that heals and protects against sore throat. These fruits are soothing to the throat, and their natural juices relieve pain and stress in the vocal chords.

Also, figs are a natural cure for tonsillitis. They help in reducing the swelling and irritation caused due to the condition. Make a paste of the figs with warm water and apply it on your throat. It will reduce pain and soothe your throat.

16. Prevent Macular Degeneration

Figs can help prevent macular degeneration, which is a leading cause of vision loss in older people.

Figs enhance your vision and prevent macular degeneration as they contain a high amount of vitamin A . Vitamin A is an antioxidant that improves eye health. It protects the eyes from free radicals and prevents retinal damage .

17. Improve Liver Health

Figs clear obstructions in the liver, thereby enhancing its health. A study showed that an extract prepared from fig leaves exhibited hepatoprotective activity in mice, paving the way for its use in preventing hepatic damage in humans .

18. Effective Natural Laxative

Figs, due to their high fiber content, act as a natural laxative. They make your stool softer, enabling easy digestion . Figs make for great ingredients in laxative syrups.

19. Treat Piles

Dry figs are the best to treat piles. They soften the stools, reducing the pressure on the rectum. Consume them twice a day by soaking three to four figs in water. You can also drink the water in which they are soaked. The seeds in the figs are the active agents that fight the piles .

Soak the figs in a glass of water for about 12 hours before consuming them. Eat them once in the morning and then in the night. It works best when you begin your day by eating figs and end it with the same.

20. Prevent Coronary Heart Disease

The antioxidants in figs, as well as their blood pressure lowering properties, eliminate the free radicals in the body, which otherwise block the coronary arteries, leading to coronary heart disease .

Also, the presence of potassium, omega-3s, and omega-6s in figs help in preventing heart attacks .