Magics that fig will perform on your health

Figs and the dried version called Anjeer are rich in nutrients. Figs are one of the earliest fruits cultivated by man. It is a rich source of fibre with sufficient vitamins and minerals. Their taste added with the nutrients made it, a favorite fruit to man from ancient times. Read this article to know how they are helpful in maintaining our health.

Improves digestion

Anjeer is rich in dietary fibre. 3 pieces of dried figs contain 5 grams of fibre, which accounts for about 20% of our daily requirement. It is a natural laxative for preventing constipation and other digestive problems like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Helps to lose weight

Apart from being rich in fibre, dried figs are low in calories. One piece of dried fig gives you just 47 calories. And, you obtain only 0.2 grams of total fat per dried fig. So, dried figs are an ideal snack for people who want to lose weight.

Prevents hypertension

When you eat more salt, the level of sodium increases. This disturbs the sodium-potassium balance and in turn results in hypertension. Anjeer is an ideal fruit to restore this balance. One dried fig gives you 129 mg of potassium and just 2 mg of sodium. This helps to prevent hypertension. Besides fig, recipes with bananas are also great for preventing hypertension.

Rich in antioxidants

Dried figs are rich in antioxidants. A study suggested that processed dried figs are superior to natural figs when it comes to antioxidants. The study also mentions that dried figs have superior quality of antioxidants, called phenols, compared to other fruits that attribute their antioxidant property to vitamin C and E.

Say no to heart diseases

The high levels of antioxidants in dried figs help to eliminate free radicals that can damage blood vessels and result in heart disease. And, as mentioned earlier, they prevent hypertension, a huge risk factor for development of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD). Plus, there are some studies which suggest that dried figs help to reduce the levels of triglycerides that contribute greatly to heart disease.

Prevents Cancer

Antioxidant-rich dried figs also help in preventing cellular DNA damage due to free radicals that can make a cell cancerous.

Strengthens the bones

One dried fig gives you 3% calcium of your daily calcium requirement. Along with other calcium-rich foods, they can help to improve bone density and strength.

Good to reduce diabetes

The high fibre content in figs makes them good for people with diabetes. However, dried figs are high in sugar content. So, you should consult a diabetologist about the quantity of dried figs you can consume.

Cures anemia

Dried figs are a rich source of iron. One dried fig gives you 2% of your daily iron requirement. Iron is an important mineral that carries hemoglobin throughout your body. So, eating anjeer is a natural way to raise your hemoglobin levels indirectly by increasing the levels of iron in your body.

Cures fertility issues

According to ancient literature, the Greeks used fig as a natural aphrodisiac. Figs were considered sacred fruit and were closely associated with fertility and love. Scientifically, figs improve fertility and libido because they are loaded with minerals like zinc, manganese and magnesium which play an important role in boosting reproductive health.