Did You Know that Fig was Cleopatra's Favourite Fruit? Did you know that Fig Is called Nature's Candy? Did you know that Anjeer are one of the earliest recorder fruits ever found, with remnants of it being recorded as far back as 5000 years ago? These facts about this intriguing fruit have led us to know and write about its story and the 12 most amazing benefits it provides. So here we begin..
Fig is a fruit of the fig tree named Ficus, which is a member of the mulberry family and are usually found in Asia. In India, the fruit is often referred to as Anjeer. With lots of varieties in place, Figs are considered as one of the healthiest fruits in the world. Most of the fig trees are small and are at about 10 to 30 feet in size. They thrive in warm and dry climates. Another interesting fact about the species is that fig trees never blossom because the flowers are on the inside, producing dozens of minuscule seeds that give figs their unique and crunchy texture, so essentially a fig is a flower inverted into itself.
Anjeer are generally sweet and very juicy and can be eaten either when ripe or dried, however, the majority of Figs are consumed when dried because of their perishable nature. A fig can only last for a few days even after refrigerating it to the coolest. Therein comes the process of drying, to preserve them and make them available to the demands of mass markets and people, a natural process is followed to dry them. Drying does not in any way reduce the benefits of it.
Considering them on your shopping list yet? Here are some of the amazing benefits for your help.
● Helps Lower Blood Pressure:
High blood pressure is nowadays the most common and dangerous condition particularly among the adults. It is the leading cause of Heart diseases and strokes. Having high blood pressure means the pressure of the blood in your blood vessels is higher than it should be.
Figs are high in fiber and are a considered a good source of potassium, which helps lower blood pressure. Potassium is known for promoting the excretion of excess sodium thereby helping persons suffering from high blood pressure to get some degree of control over their condition. Apart from potassium, it contains omega-3s and omega-6s fatty acids which help in maintaining blood pressure as well.
● Helps Maintain Diabetes:
In the case of Diabetes, it is not only the fruit which does the magic but the leaves of the Fig tree as well. The potassium which is found in figs in abundant quantity has a supporting role in managing Diabetes. Potassium helps promote absorption of glucose into muscle cells thereby controlling the level of sugar in the blood.
Apart from that, studies have suggested that Ficusin which is an extract from the fig tree improves insulin sensitivity and has other antidiabetic properties as well. Animal research was conducted in 2016, where Rats under experiment showed a considerable positive sensitivity towards the compound. It also helps in controlling diabetes by maintaining blood fatty acid and vitamin E levels.
● Helps Prevent Constipation:
Figs are loaded with dietary fiber, which helps in healthy bowel movement and thereby relieves constipation. Soluble fiber helps add hydration to hardened waste material and aids in the smooth passage from the body. In Fact with healthy fibre rich content, the entire Digestive system is put in right. So for anyone who struggles with digestive problems, adding a handful to a diet will do away the trouble.
● Lower Cholesterol Levels:
Another beneficial fibre which is present in Figs is called Pectin. Pectin is a high-molecular-weight carbohydrate polymer that binds cholesterol and helps remove it from the body via feces. They also contain Phyto-sterols, compounds which are regarded as excellent natural alternatives to strong medication for treating high cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
● Hasten Recovery From Sore Throats:
Sore throats are a pain for everyone. You generally need to have plenty of rest to give your immune system the time needed to fight the infection. However, a little bit of help is always a good idea. Figs contain high mucilage that helps in healing and protecting against the sore throat. The compounds help soothe the sore throat by forming a protective film on the area and natural juice relieves pain and stress in the vocal cords. Also, they are a natural cure for tonsillitis. They help in reducing the swelling and irritation caused due to the condition.
● Promotes Bone Health:
Studies suggest that figs are rich in calcium, which is one of the most important mineral components in the strengthening of bones. Having a calcium-rich diet also reduces the risk of osteoporosis, a state where the bone density decreases and the body stops producing as much bone as it did before. Statistically Worldwide, osteoporosis causes more than 8.9 million fractures annually, resulting in an osteoporotic fracture every 3 seconds.
Osteoporosis is estimated to affect 200 million women worldwide - approximately one-tenth of women aged 60, one-fifth of women aged 70, two-fifths of women aged 80 and two-thirds of women aged 90. Including a handful of Figs in your diet can considerably reduce your risk of the disease. They are also rich in phosphorus which works with calcium to help build bones and spurs regrowth if there is any damage to or degradation in bones.
● Helps In Weight Loss:
For the people who have losing weight on their wishlist, figs are a must have in the diet. Losing weight is not there only to have a beautiful body but weight control is vital to prevent yourself from many weight-related diseases as well like Osteoarthritis, Gout, Gallbladder disease, and gallstones. They being very rich in fiber helps you feel satiated for a much longer time thereby stopping you from eating excess. Moreover, they help is controlling the two important hormones named Insulin and ghrelin as well, which stimulate the hunger in the body.
● Beneficial For Skin & Hair Health:
Packed with vitamins and minerals, figs are full of nutritional values for the body. To fight the skin and hair related problems, They are being used as traditional medicine for years now. A variety of skin related issues like eczema, vitiligo, and psoriasis have been effectively dealt with Figs. Other benefits include:
Strengthens and moisturizes hair.
Promotes hair growth.
Helps speed up hair follicle recovery.
Presence of Vitamin C helps even tone skin
Helps prevent wrinkles
Helps cure Boils and Warts
Helps rejuvenate skin
Works as an amazing hair conditioner.
● Improves Heart Health:
Anjeer help in reducing the triglyceride levels in blood and contribute to improving heart health. Triglycerides are the fat particles which are present in blood and are a leading cause of heart-related diseases. Apart from this, the antioxidants present in Them helps 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.
● Keeps Insomnia At Bay:
A balanced diet is very essential for good sleep. Including figs in your diet enhances the quality of your sleep. They contain the amino acid tryptophan that helps your body create melatonin, which induces sleep. They also contain omega-3 fatty acids that help you to sleep better. The tryptophan present in figs helps in synthesizing vitamin B3 in your body, which keeps insomnia at bay. Lack of vitamin B3 in your body makes you unstable and restless, which can spoil your sleep. Anjeer are a rich source of magnesium. Lack of magnesium in the body causes stress and irritability, which lead to insomnia.
● Helps Prevent Macular Degeneration:
A healthy vision is a sign of healthy living, one of the very essential nutrients for maintaining healthy vision is Vitamin A and its family of related carotenoid anti-oxidants. Figs, although are not an extremely rich source of these nutrients, however, they do contain them in small quantities. If Consumed consistently, they offer excellent support to the health of your eyes, helping prevent macular degeneration, enhancing night vision and reducing the likelihood of cataract development. Macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of vision loss in older people.
● Helps 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. Other benefits include:
Boosts Immunity.
Improve Liver Health
Helps Treat Piles
Helps Prevent Coronary Heart Disease
Venereal Disease
Increase Sexual Stamina
With so much of benefits in store, when are you planning to buy a handful of health for yourself?
Shop at: https://www.kashmirbox.com/exotic-foods/healthy-living-exotic-foods-dry-fruits