Health Benefits of Fig
Figs are lusciously sweet with a texture that combines the chewiness of their flesh, the smoothness of their skin, and the crunchiness of their seeds. Figs range dramatically in color and subtly in texture depending upon the variety. The majority of figs are dried, either by exposure to sunlight or through an artificial process, creating a sweet and nutritious dried fruit that can be enjoyed throughout the year.
Nutrient:
fiber 6%
vitamin B 64%
copper 3%
manganese 3%
potassium 3%
pantothenic acid 3%
Health Benefits:
- Help Lower High Blood Pressure: Figs are a good source of potassium, a mineral that helps to control blood pressure.
- A Sweet Way to Lose Weight: Figs are a good source of dietary fiber. Fiber and fiber-rich foods may have a positive effect on weight management. Figs, like other high fiber foods, may be helpful in a weight management program.
- Fruit and Cereal Fiber Protective against Postmenopausal Breast Cancer
- An Insulin-Lowering Leaf in Diabetes: The leaves of the fig have repeatedly been shown to have antidiabetic properties and can actually reduce the amount of insulin needed by persons with diabetes who require insulin injections.
- Cardiovascular Effects: Fig leaves have been shown to lower levels of triglycerides, while in vitro studies, fig leaves inhibited the growth of certain types of cancer cells.
- Protection against Macular Degeneration
Figs are lusciously sweet and feature a complex texture that combines the chewiness of their flesh, the smoothness of their skin, and the crunchiness of their seeds. In addition, the majority of figs are dried, either by exposure to sunlight or through an artificial process, creating a sweet and nutritious dried fruit that can be enjoyed throughout the year.
Figs range dramatically in color and subtly in texture depending upon the variety, of which there are more than one hundred and fifty. Some of the most popular varieties are:
Black Mission: blackish-purple skin and pink colored flesh
Kadota: green skin and purplish flesh
Calimyrna: greenish-yellow skin and amber flesh
Brown Turkey: purple skin and red flesh
Adriatic: the variety most often used to make fig bars, which has a light green skin and pink-tan flesh