8 Benefits of Figs and How to Eat Them
What are the benefits of consuming figs? Starting from overcoming insomnia, maintaining heart health and preventing cancer.
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Have you ever heard of figs? Or, maybe even consumed it? If not, come on, read carefully the short article below.
The fig fruit, whose Latin name is Ficus Carica, has been around for 1400 years. This fruit, which is the name of a letter in the Koran, has many health benefits. The reason is this fruit contains lots of vitamins and minerals which are very necessary for the body's metabolism.
Quoted from the Hello That page, according to the U.S. website. Department of Agriculture, that 100 salts of fresh figs contain the following nutritional composition:
Fig Content
- Energy: 74 kcal
- Protein: 0.75 g
- Carbohydrates: 19.18 g
- Fiber: 2.9 g
- Sugar: 16.26 g
- Calcium: 35 mg
- Magnesium: 17 mg
- Potassium: 232 mg
- Vitamin C: 2 mg
- Vitamin B6: 0.113 mg
So, what are the benefits and properties of this fruit? Looking at the nutritional content of figs, there are many benefits that can be gained from consuming this fruit. Among them:
Benefits of Figs for Health
1. Prevents Cancer
As we know, cell damage caused by free radicals can trigger the growth of cancer cells. Well, figs contain antioxidants such as phenolic acids and flavonoids, which function to prevent cell damage due to free radicals. By consuming figs regularly, you can prevent the growth of cancer cells.
2. Increase bone density
Figs, which are rich in calcium and potassium, can maintain bone density and prevent bone loss, such as osteoporosis.
The function of potassium itself is to maintain bone health and prevent bone damage. Meanwhile, calcium is the main component of the bone structure itself.
By consuming foods rich in calcium and potassium, such as figs, you can optimize the development of bone structure in children and adolescents.
3. Maintain healthy skin and hair
Another benefit of consuming figs is that they can maintain healthy skin and hair. The antioxidants contained in figs can stimulate the production of collagen, which can help tighten and maintain skin moisture. The benefits of consuming figs can also relieve itchy and sore skin due to dermatitis or allergies in children.
Apart from that, figs also have a high iron content, so they can be useful for maintaining healthy hair.
4. Maintain a healthy digestive tract
The fiber content in figs can support the growth of good bacteria in the digestive tract, thus improving the health of the digestive system. For a long time, figs have been able to treat digestive disorders, such as constipation. In a study, it was proven that the figs can reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), such as constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and stomach cramps.
5. Overcoming anemia
Another benefit of figs is that they help overcome symptoms of anemia. Anemia or anemia is a condition of low levels of red blood cells in the body caused by several things, such as iron deficiency. Figs contain iron and multivitamins, which can help the production of red blood cells.
6. Helps lose weight
For those of you who are on a diet or losing weight, consuming figs can be an alternative to your diet. This is because figs contain a lot of fiber, multivitamins, and minerals, which are very good for your diet program. Apart from that, consuming figs also makes you feel fuller and reduces hunger.
7. Maintain heart health
Another benefit of figs is that they can maintain heart health. The content of soluble fiber in the form of pectin is what makes figs control cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. High levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood can cause plaque, which can cause narrowing of the blood vessels, thereby disrupting heart performance.
Apart from that, figs can help lower blood pressure. The mineral content and other compounds found in figs can control blood pressure.
As is known, hypertension or high blood pressure can cause heart problems.
8. Overcoming insomnia
When the quality of your sleep is disturbed, your health may also be affected. This is because our bodies need rest to restore their body condition after being active all day. By consuming figs, you can overcome insomnia. The amino acid content in the form of tryptophan in figs can help produce the hormone melatonin, which is a hormone that regulates your sleep cycle.
How to Serve Figs
To consume figs, you can eat them directly like normal fruit. It can also be served mixed with salad or can also be used as a juice drink.
In addition, apart from the fruit, the leaves of the fig tree can also be useful for lowering blood sugar levels. So, it is very suitable for consumption by diabetics. The way to serve it is simply boiled or dried first and then brewed like tea.
It should also be noted that consuming figs in excess can actually cause digestive disorders. And for some people, consuming figs can cause allergies.
Well, those are some of the benefits of consuming figs. Please share if this article is useful.
Image source: https://plantstory.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Ficus-carica-L.-Tanaman-Buah-Tin-768x511.webp
