What is fig?

In English, it is called Figs, while its scientific name is Ficus carica. It is scientifically believed to be a member of the mulberry family. Its fruit is light yellow, while after ripening it may be dark golden or purple.

The bark of the fig tree is smooth and white. Its tree mainly grows rapidly in a dry and sunny place and the roots are extremely deep. It can also flourish easily in the hilly region. Its tree height can be up to 9-10 meters. It is believed that a fig tree is around 100 years old. They are found in abundance in the Himalayas and Shivalik areas. People living in Iran, India, and the Middle-East countries consume it in large quantities.

Local languages name

It is known by various names in local languages, such as Ati Pallu in Telugu, Ati Pajam in Tamil and Malayalam, Anjura in Kannada, and Dumur in Bengali. While its fruit is available from June to September, it is available in the market throughout the year as a dry fruit. Its test is different and unique. While its outer part is extremely soft, its seeds are mildly crisp inside, which increases its taste manifold. Also, the properties of figs are beneficial in many ways.

Now let’s talk about different types of fig. After that, you will know the benefits of fig.

Types of figs

There are mainly five types of fig. Each type has its distinct taste and sweetness. The different types of figs are as follows:

Black Mission: Its color is black or light purple from the outside, while it is pink from the inside. This fig is not only sweet to eat, but it also contains juice. It can be used to enhance the taste of cake or food.

Kadota: This fig is green in color and has a purple pulp. It is the least sweet of all varieties of fig. It can be eaten raw, but it can also be eaten by heating it and adding a little salt over it.

Calimyrna: It is greenish-yellow from outside. Its size is larger than other varieties and its taste is also different.

Brown Turkey: The outer color of this fig is purple and the pulp is red. It tastes lighter and less sweet. It is used to enhance the taste of the salad.

Adriatic: Its outer layer is light green and pink inside. Due to its light color, it is also called white fig. It is the sweetest and can be eaten as a fruit.

Use of figs

As we told at the beginning of this article, fig can be eaten either as a fruit or after drying. By the way, eating fig fruit is best for health. Fig can be eaten in different ways as described here:

• It is important to wash the fig thoroughly before eating. Then you can either eat it like this or peel it off.
• Dry figs are hot, so wash them and soak them in water overnight and consume it on an empty stomach the next morning. You can drink the water in which it was soaked.
• Dry figs are easy to take with you anywhere. So, if you are going on a trip, you can take the fig with you. One does not feel hungry due to its consumption and the other one remains energy.
• You can also eat it by adding it to sandwiches or salads. This will not only increase the taste of sandwiches and salads but will also give you the necessary nutrients.
• You can also eat fresh fig fruit by garnishing it over cake or ice cream.
• You can also mix figs in your food and eat them. Mixing it will not spoil the taste of the food at all, but will increase it.
• Dry figs contain more sugar than fresh ones. Therefore, if you make a sweet dish at home, you can use it instead of sugar. This will not only enhance the taste of the sweet dish, but it will also provide the necessary nutrients by eating it.
• Figs are used in baking. Fig can be used while making cakes, puddings, and jams, etc.
• Dry fig can also be used when making muesli bars and porridge.
• You can also add dry fig to the soup. Also, it can be used to enhance taste while making meats. Fig paste can be used in place of sugar at various places.

Benefits of eating figs

Digestive System

Consuming fig can relieve constipation and the digestive system starts functioning well. To improve the digestive system, soak two three figs in water overnight and eat the same morning or next with honey.

Fiber is needed to improve the digestive system and eliminate constipation from the root. An adequate amount of dietary fiber is found in fig. Therefore, when the fig is consumed, its fiber properties can help cleanse the stomach. Feces are easily excreted from the body. Diarrhea can also be cured by taking fig due to fiber. Thus fig is beneficial for the stomach.

Figs For heart

When the amount of triglyceride (a type of fat) in our body increases, then heart-related diseases start happening. Figs can be consumed to deal with this. Eating figs can reduce the amount of triglyceride in the blood and make the heart function properly. Therefore, figs have many benefits for a healthy heart. To control triglyceride how much quantity of figs should be taken, please ask the doctor once.

Besides, coronary arteries become blocked when free radicals are produced in the body and heart-related illnesses are born. In this case, the antioxidant properties present in the fig can protect the heart by eliminating free radicals. Besides, fig also contains phenols, omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acid properties, which can help keep the heart healthy.

Weight Loss

If someone is thinking about losing weight, figs can help. Figs are high in fiber and low in calories. Consuming figs reduces appetite, which helps you avoid overeating. The intake of figs improves the level of metabolism in the body and also reduces excess fat stored in the body. Figs also contain an enzyme called fiction, which helps to digest food properly. When food is digested properly and on time, excess fat is not stored in the body and there is no worry of weight gain.

Fig will be beneficial in reducing weight only when it is eaten in a balanced quantity. Taking it in excess can increase the level of calories and carbs in the body, which can cause weight gain.

Cholesterol

Figs contain a soluble fiber called pectin, which can reduce levels of bad cholesterol in the blood. Also, the fiber properties of figs can clear excess cholesterol from the digestive system. Figs also contain vitamin B6, which produces serotonin. Serotonin can improve mood by controlling cholesterol levels. Figs also have properties such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and phytosterols, which can work to control cholesterol levels.

Anemia

Anemia occurs when the body is deficient in iron. If it is not treated in time, then this disease can prove fatal. Dry figs have been considered a major source of iron. Its intake increases hemoglobin levels in the body.

Many women fall prey to anemia at the time of menstruation and during pregnancy. This causes them to face many physical problems. At the same time, if someone is ill or has undergone some kind of surgery, anemia can also occur at that stage. To avoid this, figs should be included in your diet. The intake of figs can increase the amount of iron in the body and the body becomes capable of fighting any kind of disease.

Diabetes

Its leaves along with fig fruit are also good for health. There are many such beneficial elements in fig leaves, which can control the level of glucose in the blood. One study has confirmed that if figs are included in the diet, they can help fight diabetes. Therefore, the benefits of eating figs also include the treatment of diabetes.

To avoid diabetes or reduce its effect, boil four-five leaves of figs in hot water and drink it after boiling. Apart from this, dry fig leaves first and then grind them to powder. After this, put the powder in a liter of water and boil it. Now drink this tea.

Cancer

What is the importance of fig for health, it is known from this that it is capable of keeping away even a deadly disease like cancer. Fig fruit can help prevent stomach and breast cancer from growing. Figs contain a high amount of fiber, which removes the accumulated dirt in the stomach through the stool. Also, figs contain countless small seeds, in which a large amount of mucin is found. Mucin collects the stomach filth in one place and then expels it.

A study has found that women who consume dietary fiber above adolescence, reduce their chances of getting breast cancer to a great extent. Consumption of fiber in high amounts can reduce the risk of breast cancer by 16 percent, while it reduces the risk of breast cancer by 24 percent before menopause. Fig juice and dry fig contain ingredients that may reduce the risk of breast cancer after menopause.

Keep in mind that cancer is a fatal disease. Home remedies are not enough for a cancer patient. He should get a checkup done by a doctor and get complete treatment. Also, figs should be consumed at the behest of the doctor.

Figs To bones

Figs have been considered the main sources of calcium, potassium, and magnesium. All these qualities are necessary to strengthen the bones of the body. The beneficial elements of figs work effectively on bones, reducing the possibility of their breakdown to a great extent. There is no doubt that calcium is necessary for bones. This is the reason why it is advisable to eat figs for the health of bones because calcium is found in plenty of figs.

Excessive use of salt in food can cause urine calcium problems, which can help to deal with the potassium present in fig. Also, it can prevent bones from becoming weak. Thus the benefits of eating figs also include the health of bones. At the moment, further research is needed in this regard.

Asthma

Fig is also able to protect against asthma. Taking fenugreek powder with honey and figs can cure asthma to a great extent. Asthma patients can also drink fig juice. This may benefit them to some extent. The use of figs provides moisture to the mucus membranes inside the body and clears the phlegm, providing some relief to the asthma patient. Figs also contain phytochemical compounds, which fight free radicals. If free radicals remain in the body, it can make asthma more serious.

High blood pressure

Several scientific research has confirmed that if figs are consumed regularly, blood pressure can be kept balanced. Both the fiber and potassium found in fig can reduce the risk of high blood pressure and keep it balanced. Besides, figs also contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which can help maintain blood pressure balance in the body.

Antioxidant

Properties of figs have been considered as a major source of antioxidants. Due to its antioxidant effect, figs protect against many diseases by eliminating free radicals in the body. Phenolic antioxidant properties are also found in fig.

Sexual power

While the consumption of figs can cure all kinds of diseases, it can increase fertility and sexual power. The article noted above that figs are fruits rich in calcium, iron, potassium, and zinc. It also contains magnesium and essential minerals, which help to produce androgen and estrogen hormones that enhance sexual ability.

However, this has not yet been confirmed scientifically, but based on many personal experiences, it can be said that FIG is capable of removing infertility. When figs are consumed, amino acids are produced, leading to the formation of nitric oxide. This causes blood vessels to dilate and the blood flow to all parts of the body, including sexual organs, is accelerated. According to various experiences, if figs are soaked in milk overnight and eaten the next morning, the sexual ability can be increased.

Sore throat

The throat often worsens with the changing season. During this time it is common to have a sore throat or pain. If figs are consumed in this condition, some relief from pain and soreness can be found. Figs contain high amounts of mucilage, which can relieve a sore throat. Eating fig fruit can give relief to the throat and drinking its juice can reduce throat pain.

Besides, tonsils can also be cured naturally by the use of figs. It can reduce inflammation of the throat. If figs are made with hot water and applied to the throat, pain can be relieved.

Increase in resistance

According to scientific research, if our immunity is not good, then many diseases surround our bodies. At the same time, Ayurveda says that if the body’s immunity is to be improved, then fig must be consumed. Figs contain many essential ingredients such as potassium and antioxidants, which can improve immunity. Therefore, it is better to take fig extracts every day than to take any medicine to improve immunity. Now the number of extracts per day should be better, only doctors or dieticians can tell it better.

Source of energy

The body needs energy for a day’s run. To maintain this energy, it is necessary to include figs in the diet along with food. Consumption of figs increases the energy level. Figs contain carbohydrates and sugar, which can increase energy in the body’s manifold. The benefits of eating figs also include better energy levels.

Disadvantages of eating figs

It is well known that figs are hot. Therefore, eating figs above the prescribed quantity can also cause harm, which is as follows:

1. Eating two to three dry figs daily is sufficient. It should be soaked in water overnight and eaten the next morning. If the fig is eaten without soaking or more than is necessary, the body may get heat and the nose may bleed.
2. Figs are high in fiber, so eating too much can cause diarrhea.
3. Eating more figs can cause pain in the intestines and stomach.
4. Figs work as a kind of natural sugar. If it is eaten too much, the teeth can rot. Diabetes patients should also ask the doctor once before eating it.
5. Some people may also be allergic to eating figs, so ask your doctor once before eating it.
6. Eating more figs can increase weight.