Is it good to eat figs?

This is an automatically translated article.

The fig is one of the oldest trees in the world, the tree can be traced back to the earliest historical documents and features prominent in the Bible. Figs are native to the Middle East and the Mediterranean and were so valued by the Greeks that laws were once created to prevent their export. So is it good to eat figs? Read the article below to help you better understand this issue.

1. Overview

Figs are the fruit of the fig tree, belonging to the mulberry family (Moraceae), shaped like a drop of water, about the size of your finger. The flesh of the fruit is pink, has a characteristic mild sweetness, is soft, chewy, and has slightly crunchy, edible seeds. Fresh figs are very thin and perishable, so they are often dried for preservation. This creates a sweet and nutritious dried fruit that can be enjoyed year-round. There are many varieties of figs, all of which vary in color and texture. Their unique feature is a small bud-like hole called an ostiole at the tip that helps the fruit develop. Their natural sweetness means that, before the days of refined sugar, they were commonly used as a sweetener.
Figs and their leaves are packed with nutrients and offer many potential health benefits. They promote healthy digestion. Reduces your risk of heart disease and helps you keep your blood sugar under control.
Here is some background information about figs.

2. Nutritional value

Fresh figs are rich in nutrients while being relatively low in calories, making them a great addition to a healthy diet.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the nutritional content of 100 grams of fresh and dried figs is
Figs contain a natural amount of sugar, which some people like to eat as a snack or as a supplement to a low-calorie, main meal. Dried figs are high in sugar and high in calories, because the sugar becomes more concentrated when the fruit is dried.
Figs also contain many nutrients, especially copper and vitamin B6. Copper is an important mineral involved in several processes in your body, including metabolism and energy production, as well as the formation of blood cells, connective tissues and transmitters. nerve.
Vitamin B6 is an important vitamin needed to help your body break down dietary protein and make new proteins. It also plays a very important role in brain health.

3. Health benefits of figs

3.1. Promotes Digestive Health Figs have long been used as a home remedy or an alternative treatment for digestive problems such as constipation.
They're high in fiber, which can help promote digestive health by softening and adding bulk to your stools, reducing constipation, and serving as a bio-prebiotic - or food source for Healthy bacteria reside in your gut.
In animal studies, fiber from figs has been shown to speed the passage of food through the digestive tract, relieve constipation, and improve symptoms of digestive disorders, such as ulcerative colitis.
A study of 150 people with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) found that those who consumed about 4 dried figs (45 grams) twice daily experienced a significant reduction in symptoms - including: pain, bloating and constipation - compared with the control group.
Furthermore, a similar study in 80 people also found that supplementing with about 300 grams of fig powder daily for 8 weeks significantly reduced constipation, compared with control group
3.2. May improve your blood vessel and heart health Figs may help improve blood pressure and blood fats, which improves blood vessel health and reduces the risk of metabolic cardiovascular disease.
One study found that fig extract reduced blood pressure in rats with normal blood pressure, as well as those with high blood pressure.
Animal studies show improvements in total cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol, and triglycerides when supplementing with fig leaf extract.
However, in a 5-week study in 83 people with high LDL (bad) cholesterol, researchers noted that those who added about 14 dried figs (120 grams) to their diets daily days there was no change in blood fat levels, compared with the control group.
More human studies are needed to better understand the relationship between figs and heart health.

3.3. Potential Anti-Cancer Properties Many very promising laboratory studies have shown the effects of fig leaves on cancer cells.
The leaves and resin (pus) from the fig tree have been shown to have antitumor activity against human colorectal cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer and liver cancer cells.
However, this does not mean that eating fig leaves or drinking fig leaf tea will have the same effect. Laboratory studies are promising, but human studies are needed to evaluate how eating fig leaves or fig leaves affects cancer growth.
3.4. Skin Health Figs have a number of beneficial effects on the skin, especially in people with atopic dermatitis or dry, itchy skin caused by allergies.
A study in 45 children with dermatitis found that a cream made with dried fig extract applied twice daily for 2 weeks was more effective in treating symptoms of dermatitis than hydrocortisone cream, a treatment Standard value
Furthermore, a combination of fruit extracts including fig extract has been shown to have an antioxidant effect on skin cells, reducing collagen breakdown and improving the appearance of your wrinkles. These studies were conducted in laboratories and in animals
Therefore, it is difficult to determine if these positive effects are coming from fig extract or one of the other extracts being studied. More research is needed to determine the effects of figs on skin health.
Another use of figs is cryotherapy for common warts published in the International Journal of Dermatology. In the study, 25 participants with common warts on both sides of their bodies applied fig tree latex on one side and on the opposite side, doctors used cryotherapy.
The researchers found that, in 44% of the participants, fig tree latex completely resolved the warts. However, cryotherapy was more effective, leading to a complete reversal in 56% of the participants
Researchers still don't understand why figs can help with warts, but latex Supplements can provide a safe and easy to use treatment with few or no side effects.

3.5. Helps control blood sugar The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that people can use traditional plants to help treat diabetes. Among them, the researchers noted the hepatoprotective and glucose-lowering effects of figs.
Research on this topic is very limited. However, a small study from 1998 found that in 8 participants, postprandial sugar levels were reduced when they took a fig leaf extract. Study participants also needed a lower dose of insulin when they supplemented with the fig leaf extract.
In a study using rats with type 2 diabetes, researchers found that fig leaf extract was able to improve insulin levels and reduce blood sugar levels.
In another study on diabetic rats, researchers revealed that fig leaf extract can block or slow the production of glucose present in your liver.
3.6. Hair Health Very few studies have looked at the link between figs and hair health. However, figs are rich in iron – an important mineral to help maintain healthy hair.
But before you use figs or fig extract for your hair health, you should consult your doctor to make sure it's safe for you.
3.7. Antipyretic Effects More studies are needed to examine the effects of figs on fever. However, a study in rats showed that a single dose of fig extract reduced body temperature maintained for 5 hours.
However, further studies are needed to confirm these findings, as researchers have yet to explain the body temperature-lowering effects of figs.

4. Possible risks when you use figs

4.1. Drug interactions Both fresh and dried figs contain high levels of vitamin K. People taking blood thinners like warfarin need to keep the vitamin K levels in their diet consistent, so they may want to avoid figs.
4.2. Digestive symptoms Because figs have a high fiber content, eating too many figs, especially dried figs, can cause diarrhea.
4.3. Allergies Some people are allergic to figs.
Researchers in Vienna found that a high percentage of people allergic to birch pollen have positive skin allergy test results to fresh figs.
Specifically, although 78% of participants with birch pollen allergy had positive skin test results for fresh figs, most dried figs were tolerable.

5. Add figs to your diet

Depending on your preferences and circumstances, you can choose which type of fig is suitable.
Dried figs contain more calories, sugar, fiber, vitamins and minerals than fresh figs. Can effectively treat constipation. Fresh figs are high in vitamin C, vitamin A and beta-carotene. Fresh figs are low in calories and make a great snack, by adding it to a salad or dessert snack. Fig leaves: In Vietnam, fig leaves are used with spring rolls to make them less boring and increase the flavor of the dish, while abroad they are often used to wrap with meat. You can enjoy figs in many different ways, but due to their high sugar content, you should only eat dried figs in moderation or use them as a home remedy for constipation.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Reference sources: healthline.com, medicalnewstoday.com