Click item No. 2.2 - a complete set of competent combinations for a healthy menu.
And don’t forget to check the rules for choosing quality dried fruits - point No. 4.
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Composition and calorie content
Calorie content and glycemic index are about 250 kcal per 100 grams and average GI = 47-55, comparable to fresh cranberries, persimmons and kiwis.
The chemical composition is largely the same as fresh fruits, but in different concentrations. Dried figs, compared to fresh ones, contain about 3 times more sugars and 4-5 times more dietary fiber. This makes it an advantageous participant in nutrition for at least two purposes - stable intestinal function and rapid delivery of glucose to the brain and muscles.
Estimate nutritional value Convenient infographics will help you with dried figs:
Benefits for the body
Fiber being the leader in dietary fiber content among popular dried fruits ( up to 10% of dry weight!), figs do an excellent job of toning the intestines and are useful for hypotonic constipation. Today this is the most common problem with cleansing - due to the lack of a split diet and physical inactivity.
Vitamin neuroprotectors group B. Among them, the most interesting is B1, which is extremely important for most functions nervous system and cannot be synthesized in the body.
Potassium is one of the basic minerals for maintaining water-salt balance, rhythmic heart function and healthy bone and muscle mass.
Magnesium is the most valuable element for the body, which is involved in many enzymatic reactions, including the formation of ATP. Harmony in the functioning of the nervous system, in the condition of the heart and blood vessels, in stable intestinal motility and bile outflow - everywhere there is a direct merit of magnesium.
Calcium is a mineral that is needed daily to maintain skeletal bone density. Some other mineral salts, including phosphorus (up to 5%). Figs also contain some iron, although in non-heme form it is poorly absorbed, which is worth understanding for yourself once and for all when you are excited about the presence of iron in plant foods.
What antioxidants are there in dried figs?
There is almost no vitamin C left in dried figs, but when the right technology dry fruits contain a whole range of bioflavonoids and polyphenols with antioxidant activity. Catechins and epicatechins - to protect the body from the proliferation of cancer cells. Rutin - to strengthen blood vessels. Syringic and gallic acids - for the harmony of intestinal microflora, including due to the bactericidal effect on opportunistic microorganisms.
What are the benefits of dried figs for women?
When exploring this issue, one cannot ignore the topics of weight loss and pregnancy. High calorie content and an abundance of sugars are not suitable for protein diets. However, figs will be a good help as part of a balanced diet.
If, when losing weight, you adhere to fractional meals with counting calories, That the best place for a sweet snack every other day (!) - second breakfast (until 12:00):
- It’s convenient to take figs with you to work and not look like a “black sheep” by replacing sweets with them when snacking in the office;
- Sugars, B vitamins, magnesium and fiber will ensure quick thinking, stability of emotions and stable intestinal motility;
- An adequate limit is 3 dry fruits (about 80 grams), which can be included even in a sharply reduced daily caloric intake.
During pregnancy, against the background of general health and normal weight, you can use up to 4 fruits per day, 3-5 times a week.
How to eat and what to combine with
The best time to eat with figs is the first half of the day.
Dried figs, like all dried fruits, are not a product that you should get carried away with, eating a dozen of them every day.
At the same time, it is quite easy to benefit from figs without harming the body. Let's take a closer look at the beneficial combinations.
For good absorption of vitamin C and strengthening of vascular walls
Add soaked figs to winter salads with shredded cabbage, carrots and apples, or eat 1/2 grapefruit and 2-3 dried fruits at the beginning of breakfast.
To obtain a beneficial complex of pectins, vitamin D and calcium
Add chopped soaked figs to the cottage cheese or beat the curd mixture in a blender.
How to diversify healthy diet with figs:
- We are mastering a simple nut-fig paste - for spreading on biscuits or plates from fresh apples: nuts + figs in equal proportions and a little lemon juice. This paste is an excellent base for homemade sweets or a layer in no-bake cakes.
- After cooking over a fire, add large chopped dried fruit to muesli and porridge. This adds piquancy to delicate cereals - oatmeal and rice.
- Figs can easily be substituted for blender smoothies. sweet banana and makes friends with any ingredients.
- From meat dishes Best suited for poultry and lamb - in sauces and stuffing when stuffing. However, we take into account: during heat treatment, some valuable substances are lost, including the destruction of coarse fibers.
Dried fruit mixture recipe for heart
A high concentration of sugars, potassium and vitamin C - complete health for the heart and blood vessels, normalization of immunity and stress resistance.
How to prepare: mix soaked dried fruits in equal proportions. To choose from - dried apricots, figs, raisins, prunes. Add walnuts, honey, lemon juice and blend in a blender until smooth.
Additional ingredients: citrus zest, other nuts. If you are allergic to honey, use a third more of the sweetest dried fruits - figs and dates.
How to use
We eat 2 teaspoons up to 3 times a day on an empty stomach (half an hour before meals).
Possible harm and contraindications
Absolute contraindications:
- Diabetes mellitus type 1;
- Acute pancreatitis;
- Ulcerative pathologies of the stomach and intestines;
- Chronic renal failure.
Strictly limit (2-3 pieces at a time, every other day):
- For type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity;
- For pathologies of pregnancy;
- For acute diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract.
The potential harm of dried fruits is also determined by the unsightly nuances of production. We have collected tips on how to avoid these pitfalls below.
How to choose correctly
Unfortunately, dried figs are not without the “charms” of industrial processing. Sulfur dioxide, unsanitary conditions, smoking liquid smoke, boiling water with caustic soda, gasoline burners and almost “harmless” against this background treatment with glycerin and cheap oil - for the “selling beauty of the product.” Alas, technologies harmful to health await us at any dried fruit counter.
| How to choose quality figs from the mountain of “pig in a poke”? |
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How to remove sulfur dioxide from dried fruits?
- Soak thoroughly - in cold (!) water. The first time - for 30 minutes. Then we drain the water a second time - for another 15 minutes, after which we wash it in warm running water, sorting the fruits with our hands one by one. This removes any remaining dirt (pieces of earth, sand, etc.) that may stick to the figs during drying and transportation.
We dry it ourselves instead of buying it
There are two ways to get the benefits of figs without harming your health:
- We take risks with the purchase, carefully studying the fruits according to the characteristics described above;
- We dry it ourselves - in an electric dryer. This is especially true for residents of the southern regions, where fresh fruits can be delivered without spoilage.
High quality, tasty, fast and cheaper - these are fair epithets for the results of an electric dryer.
Choosing figs for drying
Any fruit can be dried with benefit. But the ideal variety is still white or honey. Light, golden-skinned, with yellowish flesh, 4-5 cm in diameter (smaller fruits are sweeter). Important nuance A successful variety has a large number of seeds. The fewer seeds, the worse the variety.
When deciding to purchase a device, you should pay attention to models with a wide temperature range, starting from 33-35 degrees and the most ergonomic square shape pallets The relative disadvantages of home drying are the time spent on the process and the one-time investment in purchasing the device. But how much time and money do existing illnesses steal from us - due to dangerous food choices? A rhetorical question for personal reflection.
How to store at home
Dried figs require a cool (0-10 degrees) and dry (!) place. Lay him in glass jar, lined the inside with a thin cotton cloth and close tightly.
A good storage option for good air circulation is hanging canvas bags. Choose it for a batch that you will eat in a couple of months. The disadvantage of this method is that when the temperature rises, pests are easily introduced. You can also use paper bags that prevent insects from entering.
We will be glad if the detailed story about dried figs was informative for you. The benefits of figs are great when we know how to get around potential harm, choose the right culinary combinations and wisely limit the amount of sweet product.
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Botanical characteristics of figs
Figs (fig, fig, wineberry) belong to the Crassulaceae family. It is a dioecious deciduous fruit tree. The average trunk height is 10–20 m. The roots of the plant are powerful, woody, and root quite deeply in the soil. The common fig has dioecious flowers collected in inflorescences, which can be spherical, pear-shaped or flattened.
The fruit has a thin skin, is a small achene located inside a fleshy pear-shaped receptacle, weighs 20–75 g. The fig tree grows in Asia Minor (the plant’s homeland), and is found naturally in Iran, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Turkey and Central Asia . Figs are grown as a cultivated plant in the Caucasus and Crimea.
Useful properties of figs
Fig fruits contain sugars, pectin, proteins, fats, malic and citric acids. Anthocyanin glycosides, pantothenic and folic acids are present. Useful action Vitamins B1, B2, B6, C, PP have an effect on the body and the functioning of various systems. Carotene, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, copper are very effective for many diseases - these substances are involved in all processes of the vital organs of the human body.
The leaves of the plant are rich in furocoumarin, psoralen and bergapten. Tannins and resinous substances were also found in them. In addition to ascorbic acid and rutin, there is essential oil.
Figs have a laxative, diuretic and expectorant effect, lower blood cholesterol levels, and their omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are essential for the cardiovascular and nervous system. The plant also has anti-inflammatory properties.
Uses of figs
Official medicine has long recognized figs as a therapeutic and prophylactic remedy for many diseases. The fruits are delicious and healthy fruit used in the treatment of pulmonary artery blockage, vein thrombosis, and to restore the functioning of the cardiovascular system. The diuretic properties of figs make it possible to use it for kidney diseases and hypertension.
The plant has an expectorant effect for colds, relieves severe conditions with bronchitis and laryngitis. Decoctions, jams, and figs boiled in milk have a diaphoretic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effect.
Fig decoction: Boil 2 tablespoons of dried figs in 1 glass of milk until softened. Take 100 g 2-3 times a day. This medicine is recommended for gargling, externally in the form of poultices for acute inflammatory formation in the area of the periosteum or connective tissue, abscesses,.
Fig fruits are beneficial for both adults and children. If you need to get rid of boils and hives and ulcers, fresh leaves must be applied to the affected area of the skin. Recommended use fresh fruits weakened people who have suffered any illness. Figs can be dried, and in this or fresh it is useful for epilepsy. The juice of the fruit helps remove sand from the kidneys and heal wounds. You can get rid of warts and birthmarks by applying mashed unripe fruits to the skin.
The ash of fig wood is infused in water and lotions are made with this liquid for nerve inflammation. Fig leaves help with hardening of the eyelids and thickening of the membranes of the eyes. The resulting milky juice from figs is used to treat the initial stage of cataracts and remove the wet veil. and microelements contained in figs contribute to the production of serotonin, a substance that improves mood and improves well-being. Folic acid is useful for pregnant women because it participates in hematopoietic processes and supports immune system. Figs are considered the fruit richest in phosphorus, potassium, calcium, iron, sodium and fiber. Figs are a leader in the content of minerals, which are so necessary in the treatment and prevention of heart and vascular diseases. Calcium has a beneficial effect on bones and... Thanks to fiber, the body easily fights cholesterol and gets rid of toxins. Prepared from fig fruits delicious jams, marshmallows, sweets, compotes, wine, vinegar.
Dried figs
In dried and dried form, the fruit has a high concentration of carbohydrates, proteins, fats and sugar. 100 grams of this valuable product contains three hundred and forty kilocalories, so it is a very nutritious fruit. It is especially recommended for use for problems with blood vessels and the heart; the enzyme ficin has a beneficial effect on the treatment of thrombosis.
Dried figs are effective as an antipyretic and have a diaphoretic effect. Medicinal fruit acts as a laxative, and a miraculous decoction dried fruits figs in milk are used for whooping cough, dry cough, and swelling of the vocal cords. Today you can buy dried fruits in any supermarket; you need to choose light yellow fruits. They will fill the body with energy, give strength, and lift your spirits. Figs are used as an antitumor agent; they are taken during irradiation and anemia.
Figs with milk for cough
IN folk medicine for coughing attacks during a cold and for use a decoction of figs in milk. The course of treatment should be continued for 10–15 days, the drug will relieve cough and increase the body's resistance to respiratory diseases.
Recipe for figs with milk: for cooking healing drink you need to take 1.5 liters of pasteurized milk with a fat content of 3.2%, pour it into an enamel pan, heat it, place one medium-sized well-washed fresh or dried fruit in it, bring to a boil. With the lid tightly closed, the mixture should be kept for 0.5 hours over low heat until the volume is reduced by about 1/3, then cover the pan to steam the figs and leave it until it cools completely: 3–4 hours is enough for the figs to give up all their beneficial properties .
The product must be stored in a jar, tightly closed. nylon cover, in a refrigerator. You cannot prepare more than 0.5 liters of the drug; on the second day it will thicken and be a little viscous.
Calorie content of figs
Fresh figs contain up to 24% sugars, dried ones - from 50 to 77%. The calorie content of dried fruits is 214 Kcal per 100 grams, this is explained by the high sugar content, it is impossible to eat a lot of them, and a feeling of fullness quickly arises. If your body needs sweet foods and at the same time you want to stay slim, then it is better to eat figs. Since one fruit contains on average 40 to 50 calories and about 2 grams of carbohydrates, it is healthier than any candy. The fruits have very little fat.
Growing figs
Figs are quite exotic plant, not very suitable for living in Russia or Ukraine. But gardeners have learned to grow this crop in the southern regions, even at open ground. The tree loves good lighting. Does not grow well under straight lines sun rays, prefers moist soil. Figs are characterized by parthenocarpy - the formation of fruits without fertilization. The deciduous plant is generally not very demanding to care for, but does need good drainage.
During its development, it is necessary to limit the growth of the root system to prevent the growth of branches and trunk in height, otherwise such a tree will produce a small harvest. Before planting, it is necessary to clear the soil of weeds and apply mineral fertilizer. Every spring around fig tree mulching should be done with rotted manure. After the formation of skeletal branches to obtain a sufficient number of fruiting branches, pruning is performed by removing approximately half of the old fruiting branches and shortening them to two leaves. This is done after the first and second harvest.
Fig Recipes
Decoction of dry fig fruits in milk: 20 g of dry fruits are poured with 1 glass of boiling milk and simmered over low heat for 10 minutes. Drink a hot decoction of fruits for coughs, bronchial diseases, and tumors.
Fig decoction:
Recipe No. 1: two tablespoons of dry fruits should be poured into one glass hot water, leave in a water bath for half an hour in a sealed container, then strain, bring the liquid to the original volume and drink 0.5 cups three times a day before meals.
Recipe No. 2: 50 g of dry fruits need to be poured with a liter of boiling water and boiled over low heat for half an hour. It is recommended to drink the product 3 times a day, 1/2 cup, along with mashed fruits.
Infusion of fig leaves: 3 tablespoons of dry leaves (collected before flowering) should be crushed, pour 0.5 liters of boiling water and leave for 4-5 hours in a thermos. Take the infusion four times a day, 1/2 cup, for bronchial asthma, kidney and urinary tract diseases.
Recipe for laxative balls: 100 g figs, 100 g raisins, 0.5 teaspoon ground ginger and 0.5 teaspoon nutmeg chop and mix. We form a sausage from the resulting mixture and then cut it with a knife into circles 1 cm thick. Roll them into balls and eat 1-2 balls in the morning on an empty stomach for constipation.
Fig syrup: to prepare it you need to pour 8 pieces of crushed fruits with 250 ml of water, boil for 20 minutes, then remove the figs, add 1 glass of sugar and add water to the original volume. Next, cook the mixture until the sugar is completely dissolved, add the juice of half a lemon, 1 teaspoon of ginger and pour the liquid into a vessel. Adults need to drink 3–4 dessert spoons, children – 1–2 dessert spoons per day for problems with the digestive tract, etc.
Fig salad: mix 300 g of figs, 150 g of prunes, 2.5 tablespoons of almonds, 1 cup of acidophilus, orange zest, sugar to taste. A morning salad will help your cardiovascular system.
Figs for weight loss
Vitamins, beta-carotene, minerals, amino acids, pectin, fig enzymes have a beneficial effect on the digestion process. Concentration nutrients in figs is in correct ratio, this allows them to be well absorbed by the body. Figs have more potassium than bananas; it promotes normal stomach function, muscle elasticity, and removes excess fluid from the body. Figs are rich in substances that help reduce hunger.
Fruit grains are fiber that relieves constipation. All these wonderful properties make figs an indispensable product for weight loss. There are many ways to replace sugar, which is so harmful for overweight people. Using figs with natural sugars, the presence of which is evidenced by white coating on dried fruits (glucose crystals), it is recommended to replace one of the meals with two or three fruits several times a week.
In this case, no further food should be consumed. You cannot eat a lot of fruits, otherwise the result will be the opposite. The fruit helps restore strength and fills you with energy. With the help of figs, the effect that has a bad effect on the body during weight loss is noticeably reduced.
Fig fruit
Depending on the variety, fig fruits can be either yellow or black-blue in color. But most often you can see yellow-green pear-shaped fruits the size of Walnut. Unripe fruits contain milky juice, which has a very strong taste. Ripe fruits are full of small seeds and have a taste ranging from sugary sweet to moderately sweet, as they contain fructose and glucose, malic and citric acids. The usefulness of fruits is determined by the presence of salts of potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, copper, vitamins A, B and C.
Carotenoids, pectin substances, enzymes, minerals, proteins and fats are preserved in dried fruits, and their concentration in this type of fruit increases. Before use, it is better to remove the peel of the dried fruit or soak it in water, because it is highly hard. The water in which figs were soaked has medicinal properties, since minerals and fruit sugar, so you can drink it.
Fig varieties
Exists a large number of varieties of figs. Dried fruit varieties include:
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Gray early 
Brunswick (chapla)  Dalmatian  Crimean black  Violet  Sochinsky – 4  Brunswick  Magnolia  July  |
Variety allows you to choose the best from the best varieties, they all have excellent characteristics, bear fruit well and do not require special care.
Nikitsky aromatic variety, used for making dried fruits, jam, and for fresh consumption.
Brunswick fig variety It has very large fruits, differs in skin color, it can be bluish-purple or dark brown. The pulp is juicy, white or pink.
Magnolia also has large fruits, their skin is amber, the variety is used for canning.
Corderia has pear-shaped, large fruits with a yellowish-greenish tint. The pulp is amber in color, juicy and very sweet. This variety of fig is common in dry areas.
San Pedro white - capable of producing two harvests: one produces fruits with shiny, yellow skin like a lemon, from the second harvest you can collect greenish-tinged fruits sea water color, with red pulp, similar to strawberries, juicy, incredibly tasty and aromatic.
San Pedro black also produces two harvests: one, with large fruits, used for fresh consumption, the second, with small fruits, used for drying.
Smirnensky variety has medium-sized pear-shaped fruits. The skin is brownish-purple, sometimes greenish, the flesh is brownish-pink.
Figs during pregnancy For every woman, it is important to eat right during pregnancy, replenish the body with vitamins and other useful elements that have a positive effect on fetal development. Figs are one of the most essential ingredients in the diet of expectant mothers. Women will receive sufficient amounts of vitamin C, folic acid, proteins, potassium, calcium, and iron by consuming at least 2-3 fig tree fruits daily. To avoid gaining weight, lovers of sweets can use figs as a sweet substitute. Figs satisfy hunger; natural sugar is not harmful to mother and child. Consulting a doctor, of course, in this matter will not be superfluous, since figs can be harmful to pregnant women diagnosed with “gestational” figs. |
Fig leaves
Many people eat the fruits of this tree today, but knowing the power of the leaves, they can be used to treat many ailments. Fig leaves are also edible, they help with diabetes, and are effective in reducing levels. Fig leaves are a popular natural remedy for stomach ulcers. A decoction of dry fig leaves is drunk for dysentery and colitis.
Infusion of fig leaves: 1 tablespoon of dry crushed leaves should be poured with a glass of boiling water, left for 1 hour and taken 1/3 or 1/2 glass 2-3 times a day. You can make an infusion of the fruit with milk.
Fresh leaves Figs are used to quickly ripen boils. Decoctions of leaves treat cough, bronchial asthma, kidneys.
Black figs
Black figs are incredibly healthy, they healing properties recognized by official medicine. By eating one fruit every day for a month, you can reduce the likelihood of the formation of sclerotic plaques and blood clots. The beneficial substances of figs affect the functioning of the brain and capillaries. Essential oils enrich the blood with oxygen, the fruit is recommended for people of mental work and creative individuals. Black figs are good to use for inflammatory processes in the larynx, kidneys, and urolithiasis.
This fruit also helps with bronchitis. Due to the presence of potassium, iron, magnesium and phosphorus salts, it is excellent for complex therapy for cardiovascular disorders and anemia. This is one of the most excellent folk remedies, which must be included in the diet of older people, a real elixir of youth that will fill you with energy and give you strength. Black figs contain ficin, which can cleanse blood vessels, gives them strength and elasticity.
Recipe No. 1: Mash 4-5 figs thoroughly in a glass of warm milk. Take 0.5 cups 2-4 times a day for bronchitis and tracheitis.
Recipe No. 2: boil 3-5 figs over low heat in 1 glass of water for 5 minutes, then mash and grind. Take the decoction during the day before meals, dividing into equal portions. The product helps break up stones and removes them from the kidneys and bladder.
Black figs combined with almonds are an excellent remedy for weight gain when severe weight loss and loss of appetite.
Contraindications to the use of figs
Figs are contraindicated for pancreatitis, diabetes, and inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract. The ban on eating figs applies to diseases such as enteritis and obesity. Since figs contain oxalic acid, this fruit is also contraindicated for people prone to the formation of gallstones.
Expert editor: Kuzmina Vera Valerievna| Nutritionist, endocrinologist
Education: Diploma of the Russian State Medical University named after. N.I. Pirogov, specialty “General Medicine” (2004). Residency at the Moscow State Medical and Dental University, diploma in Endocrinology (2006).
Figs are fruits fig tree, or fig tree, the same one whose leaves helped the ancestors of mankind Adam and Eve cover their nakedness.
But this is not the only thing that made the fig tree famous.
Over its long history, it has brought a lot of benefits. The benefits and harms of figs have been known to people since ancient times.
For example, the soldiers of Alexander the Great, going to distant lands, always hung a bag with dried figs. They knew that gruel from crushed figs would help quickly heal wounds, and after a hard battle or march, just a few fruits would relieve fatigue.
Beneficial features and contraindications of figs are due to its vitamin and mineral composition. The fruits of the fig tree are surprisingly tasty, but do not last long. Therefore, most often you can see figs in dried (dried) form. But even in this form it does not lose its properties, and even acquires new ones.
The fruits of the fig tree are surprisingly tasty, but do not last long. Therefore, most often you can see figs in dried (dried) form. But even in this form it does not lose its properties, and even acquires new ones.
This table shows how the value of dried fruits increases.
After drying, the content of macro- and microelements in figs increases significantly - manganese, copper, selenium, zinc and others:
- it contains 10 times (!) more sodium than fresh;
- almost 3 times more potassium;
- calcium increases approximately 5 times,
- magnesium in 4,
- iron 3 times,
Therefore, to replenish phosphorus, it is better to eat fresh fruits. And in terms of beneficial properties and potassium content dried figs second only to nuts.
In terms of the amount of iron, fig tree fruits are superior to the most powerful supplier - the apple.
The beneficial properties and contraindications of fresh figs largely depend on the concentration of vitamins. So, in fresh and dried form, figs contain:
- vitamin C,
- nicotinic acid, beta-carotene,
- thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), vitamin E.
Figs also contain:
- organic acids,
- pectins and enzymes.
The coating that appears on dried fruits contains fructose, glucose, lysine, aspartic acid, asparagine and some citric and malic acids.
Beneficial properties of fresh and dried figs
Eating it fresh or dried helps:
- recover quickly
- improve digestion, help the heart, liver and stomach,
- cure cough and sore throat,
- have a laxative effect,
- save from poisoning by helping the kidneys and liver remove toxins.
Fresh fig pulp:
- can cure fungal diseases,
- strengthens bones,
- has a beneficial effect on the skin, reduces blood sugar.
Fresh juice is good for anemia, increasing the level of hemoglobin in the blood.
Dried figs will compensate for the lack of vitamins and other substances necessary for normal human life. It is impossible to overestimate its role in the treatment of the cardiovascular system.
The benefit of fresh figs is that it eliminates tachycardia. And thanks to the ficin content, it thins the blood, reduces the amount of “bad” cholesterol and reduces the risk of atherosclerosis and thrombosis.
Therefore, its use is a good prevention of coronary heart disease, reduces the risk of heart attack and hypertension.
For treatment, both the fig tree fruits themselves and infusions (decoctions) from them are used. Infusions have anti-inflammatory, antiseptic effects and regulate metabolic processes. Fig infusions with milk are especially good.
It’s not difficult to prepare them:
- you need to pour 40 g of dried fruits with one glass of water or milk,
- wait 5–6 hours until the fruits give all their strength to the milk,
- and drink small portions throughout the day.
This infusion is very useful for colds - it reduces fever and has a diaphoretic effect. He also turns out healing effect with a diseased liver or spleen.
The medicinal properties of figs are used for the treatment and prevention of urolithiasis and cystitis. In this case, the roots and leaves of the fig tree are used as an astringent. The milky juice of the fig tree removes sand from the kidneys and treats purulent wounds and tumors that do not heal for a long time.
For older people, fig helps to cope with fragility and fragility of bones, improve vision, improve tone and overall well-being.
Eating figs significantly reduces the likelihood of getting sick diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis and thrombophlebitis.
All of the above is already quite enough to take its rightful place among the most healthy fruits, but the benefits of figs are not limited to this.
What are the benefits of figs for men?
The beneficial properties of figs for men are that the active substances contained in the sweet fruit effectively cope with impotence. Fig(another name for this fruit) is a natural and very effective way to combat sexual weakness in men.
In the east, it has long been consumed as a means of enhancing potency at any age.
It is enough to soak 2 fruits in a glass of warm milk and leave them overnight, and the next morning drink the infusion and eat the pulp.
Figs will also help defeat such an unpleasant male disease as prostatitis.
In folk medicine the following recipe is used:
- You need to take 5 fruits and pour a glass of hot water over them.
- Mix thoroughly, leave for a little while and drink this drink twice a day. glass half an hour before meals.
Treatment is carried out for one month, the course can be repeated if necessary after 2-3 weeks.
What benefits can figs bring to women?
Women are usually very concerned about being overweight and often resort to various dubious means to lose weight. But there is absolutely safe and effective way get rid of extra pounds without exhausting diets, chemicals and painful exercises.
Just 2-3 fruits a day - and after a while the body will acquire the desired lightness and harmony.
The beneficial properties of figs used for weight loss are determined by the calorie content of fresh fruits. It was said above that natural fruits contain much less calories, therefore fresh figs will be more useful for weight loss.
To correct your figure, a diet is suitable when you have a fasting “fig” day once a week. On this day you need to eat 100 g of dried fruits, 1 kg of any raw fruits, 0.5 kg of vegetables and drink 2 liters of low-fat kefir.
Another problem that many lovers of high heels face is varicose veins. If you include a few figs in your daily diet, you can avoid unsightly protruding veins and preserve the beauty and health of your legs for a long time.
Syrup from the fruits of the fig tree will help in the treatment of diseases of the female intimate sphere - it will eliminate such a female nuisance as leucorrhoea (discharge due to fungal and other diseases).
Many women use the beneficial properties of figs during pregnancy.
Thanks to wealth useful substances, its fruits will support the health of mother and baby with vitamins, macro- and microelements and other substances necessary during this period.
If expectant mother If rapid weight gain occurs, then figs will help you adjust your diet in such a way as to stabilize the weight without harming the child.
Almost every pregnant woman faces difficulties with bowel movements. Eating figs helps to quickly get rid of the problem, having a delicate laxative effect.
Figs are also useful for pregnant women because they help cope with iron deficiency anemia. Just 1-2 fruits daily for breakfast will quickly raise the level of hemoglobin in the blood.
When feeding a child, it is very important that the woman’s body receives sufficient quantity calcium. Unfortunately, if you are intolerant to milk and dairy products, they have to be replaced with artificial drugs.
Figs in in this case will be useful and tasty alternative. But it should be introduced into the diet of a nursing mother with caution, as this fruit can cause diarrhea and bloating in the child.
The beneficial properties of figs for women also include the fact that the fruits of the fig tree enhance lactation, and when mastitis appears, they become a natural medicine. Fruits steamed in milk, if applied to the breast at the site of the abscess, can easily cope with inflammation.
The benefits of figs for a child
Many mothers wonder whether these sweet fruits can be given to children. It is not only possible, but also necessary, of course, if the child has no contraindications.
What are the benefits of figs for a baby? First of all, fig fruits are an excellent natural vitamin preparation that can replace any purchased vitamin complexes.
Secondly, for colds, figs are an excellent substitute for medications. Drink made from dried figs with milk, butter and honey - an excellent natural remedy for any type of cough.
Syrup made from figs is a very good tonic for babies - it will improve digestion and increase appetite.
In addition, a bowl of dried figs instead of sweets can be an excellent substitute for store-bought sweets, but you must keep in mind its laxative effect.
If a child has problems with stool, then puree from these fruits normalizes intestinal function.
When including figs in your baby’s diet, you should do this gradually, starting from very small quantities and carefully monitoring the body's reaction.
To summarize, we can say that the spectrum of effects of fig tree fruits is very wide, therefore figs and preparations made from them are used in the treatment and prevention of many diseases:
- anemia;
- infections;
- fungi;
- oncology;
- musculoskeletal system;
- nervous, cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine systems;
- skin, oral cavity and respiratory organs;
In addition, fig is used to improve brain function, boost immunity, as an aphrodisiac, and also in the treatment of female and male diseases.
Harm of figs
Fresh figs can practically not cause harm to the body of a healthy person. But its fruits should not be consumed acute diseases gastrointestinal tract and gout.
Dried fruits, due to their high sugar content, are contraindicated for patients with diabetes and are not recommended for those with excess weight. People with urolithiasis you should be careful when including it in your diet.
The harm of figs for pregnant women, as well as its benefits, is of great importance. During pregnancy, it is forbidden to eat figs if a woman is gaining weight too quickly, has gestational diabetes, or suffers from any kidney disease.
Figs have minimal contraindications, but this does not mean that healthy person you can absorb it in any quantity. In everything you need to observe moderation and common sense - for prevention, 2-4 pieces a day are enough.
How to eat and cook figs?
As a means to quickly satisfy hunger, figs are suitable in fresh or dried form. He is much healthier than sweets, chocolates and other sweets that are often consumed as a snack.
Dried fruits can be consumed like regular dried fruits. However, it is better to pour boiling water over it or steam it. The second option will help preserve all the benefits of the fruit.
Fresh figs will become delicious dessert, if the fruits are simply cut into slices and topped with whipped cream or sweet sour cream sauce. And in combination with soft cheese, figs turn into an excellent snack that complements the taste of champagne or white wine.
It goes well with meat and poultry.
For example, it gives stewed pork a completely unusual exotic taste and aroma.
If you want something more interesting, then for festive feast You can bake chicken in Greek style. It is guaranteed to amaze guests and household members.
And preparing this dish is quite simple:
- marinate chicken legs
- put them in a baking dish,
- placing fig slices between the pieces of meat,
- and keep in the oven for about an hour.
It turns out that figs, despite the inherent sweetness of the fruit, are used to prepare many delicious and healthy dishes with added sugar: jam, marmalade, pastille, compotes or even wine.
Fig jam retains almost all of its beneficial properties and is prepared without much difficulty.
Fig jam has the greatest number of beneficial properties. For cooking according to classic recipe you will need:
- 1 kg fresh or dried fruits (medium size),
- 1 kg granulated sugar,
- 300 ml of water and a little citric acid.
Wash the figs, remove the “tails” and pierce each fruit with a toothpick in several places. Then pour water into a saucepan and boil it. Pour the figs into boiling water and cook for 10 minutes.
After this, remove the fruits and rinse them with cold water. Dry the figs on a dry towel. While the figs are drying, you need to make a syrup: add sugar to water (300 ml) and put on fire. Cook while stirring until you get a homogeneous mass.
Place the dried fruits in it and cook for about 40 minutes or a little more (this depends on the ripeness of the fruits). At the end of cooking add citric acid, and mix everything thoroughly. Place the jam in sterilized jars.
The benefit of fig jam is that it can be used as medicine for colds and as a vitamin supplement to the daily diet.
The fruits of the fig tree have a healing effect on the body; it is not without reason that they have been used in folk medicine since ancient times. But even today, figs have not lost any of their healing power and can serve well for those who prefer to be treated with natural remedies.
Against the backdrop of entirely artificial drugs that cause a lot of side effects, figs become an almost ideal alternative that has a beneficial effect on health.
Figs are safe and extremely beneficial if you follow just two rules - do not eat them after 6 pm (otherwise insomnia is guaranteed) and do not consume more than 160 g per day.
Many people are distrustful of exotic fruits and are in no hurry to introduce them into their diet. The same figs, which grow in the subtropics, do not look very attractive when dried, so uninitiated people taste qualities may raise doubts.
But if you find out the benefits and harms of dried figs for the body, you can learn to manage your health and forget about many ailments for a long time.
What are figs
Figs are pear-shaped dark blue or purple berries with juicy and sweet bright red flesh, the fruits of a subtropical plant known as the fig tree or common fig tree. In Rus', where the exotic tree arrived only at the end of the 18th century, the fig was called fig and wineberry.
The plant's homeland is regions with a subtropical climate: the Mediterranean and Africa. On the territory of the Commonwealth countries, fig tree fruits are harvested in Georgia and Abkhazia, Azerbaijan and Armenia, Krasnodar Territory and South Ossetia.
Figs are one of the types of fruits healing qualities which people have been using for a long time and successfully. The fruits of the fig tree are often mentioned in the Bible, the Old and New Testaments, and many ancient manuscripts.
It is known that the cultivation of fig trees played a significant role in the development of agriculture ancient Greece, Phenicia, Syria and Egypt. And by the end of the 16th century, Americans were able to appreciate the beneficial properties of figs.
Beneficial properties of dried figs for the body
Freshly picked figs cannot be stored for more than three days. To preserve the beneficial properties of figs for as long as possible, the fruits are dried. And it's worth it. Because it is difficult to find another type of fruit that has the same level of medicinal health benefits.
The chemical composition and amount of valuable components in the fruits is amazing:
- fatty polyunsaturated acids Omega-3 and Omega-6;
- potassium, sodium, manganese, phosphorus and iron, magnesium and calcium;
- vitamins of group B, PP and pectins;
- antioxidants and fiber;
- rutin and beta-carotene;
- tanning elements;
- glucose and fructose;
- fucin enzyme.
We can talk about the usefulness of figs for a long time. Just one fact: 100 g of dried figs provide 4% daily value B vitamins and 3% daily value of iron.
Indications for use
Thanks to the valuable microelements contained in figs, its fruits are recommended for use as an additional therapeutic agent in the drug therapy of common diseases. The doctor’s task is to convey to patients information about the benefits of figs as a means of complex effects on human health:
- with increased blood pressure;
- to strengthen bones when the body needs calcium;
- for prevention against cancer, diabetes;
- for pathologies of the respiratory system;
- patients diagnosed with anemia;
- as a laxative;
- for colds;
- for genital ailments in women.
Figs grow in warm, dry climates around the world. It is eaten fresh or dried.
Sweet fruits contain a lot of sugar. In Mediterranean countries, figs are so popular that they are called "poor man's food."
Figs have been used to treat ailments for thousands of years. It contains many vitamins and minerals.
Composition and calorie content of figs
Figs are rich in fiber, which is good for digestion and prevents blood clots.
Composition 100 gr. figs as a percentage of the daily value:
The calorie content of figs is 74 kcal per 100 g.
For centuries, figs and their extracts have been used to combat constipation, bronchitis, disorders, wounds and warts.
For muscles
Figs contain magnesium, which is important during physical activity. It is involved in the production of energy during muscle contractions. During intense exercise, magnesium requirements increase by 10-20%.
For the heart and blood vessels
Figs relieve stress on the walls of veins.
Thanks to magnesium and potassium, figs help keep blood pressure normal. The element removes sodium from the body through urine.
For the nerves
The beneficial properties of figs protect nerve cells from destruction and age-related death.
Magnesium in figs prevents migraines, helps fight depression, insomnia and improves mood.
For the gastrointestinal tract
Doctors advise adding figs to the diet of people suffering from chronic constipation.
For the pancreas
The leaves of fig trees are valuable for health due to their antioxidant properties. Taking fig leaf extract reduces blood sugar levels.
Figs improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.
For the reproductive system
Figs are good for women because they contain magnesium and vitamin B6. They reduce the manifestation of premenstrual syndrome, which occurs 1-2 weeks before menstruation. This manifests itself in the form of mood swings, weight gain, food cravings, fatigue, irritability, chest pain and digestive problems.
For skin
Fig leaves prevent the development of skin cancer. Creams with fig extract reduce facial wrinkles thanks to antioxidants. They can be used for hyperpigmentation, acne and freckles.
For immunity
Figs contain antioxidants that prevent aging and cancer. The fruit relieves inflammation in all organs.
Beneficial properties of dried figs
Dried figs contain 19% of the daily value of potassium, which regulates blood pressure. At regular use dried fruit you will protect yourself from the development of hypertension.
The fruit contains a lot of fiber, which protects against overeating. If you want to lose weight, replace sweets in your diet with dried figs.
Dried figs are rich in iron. Women aged 19 to 50 years should receive 18 mg. iron per day, and over 51 years - 8 mg. A glass of dried figs contains 3 mg. gland. If the body lacks an element, you become vulnerable to infections and constantly feel weak.
Harm and contraindications of figs
Contraindications to consuming figs:
How to choose figs
Figs are sold in grocery stores and markets, they are supplied all year round. It is advisable to eat the fruit from mid-June to mid-October - this way the benefits from it will be maximum. Choose figs that are richly colored.
How to store figs
Fresh figs are best eaten immediately after picking from the tree. In the refrigerator, its shelf life will increase by a couple of days. After purchasing figs, immediately remove them from the packaging.
Jams and confitures are made from figs or dried. You can freeze figs within 12 hours of harvesting to prolong their freshness.
Drying the fruit is the easiest way to preserve fig fruits. The traditional method of sun drying produces products of varying quality. Drying the fruit in special "dryers" ensures that you get healthy dried figs. In most commercial growing areas, figs are picked as they fall and placed on trays to dry.
There's a lot in figs useful compounds, so it can be used as a healthy alternative to sweets.
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