Health Benefits Of Fig
1.Help Lower High Blood Pressure
Figs
are a good source of potassium, a mineral that helps to control blood pressure.
Since many people not only do not eat enough fruits and vegetables, but do
consume high amounts of sodium as salt is frequently added to processed foods,
they may be deficient in potassium. Low intake of potassium-rich foods,
especially when coupled with a high intake of sodium, can lead to hypertension.
In the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) study, one group ate
servings of fruits and vegetables in place of snacks and sweets, and also ate
low-fat dairy food. This diet delivered more potassium, magnesium and calcium.
Another group ate a "usual" diet low in fruits and vegetables with a
fat content like that found in the average American Diet. After eight weeks,
the group that ate the enhanced diet lowered their blood pressure by an average
of 5.5 points (systolic) over 3.0 points (diastolic).
2. Lose Weight
Figs
are a good source ofdeitary fiber. Fiber and fiber-rich foods may have a
positive effect on weight management. In one study, women who increased their
fiber intake with supplements significantly decreased their energy intake, yet
their hunger and satiety scores did not change. Figs, like other high fiber
foods, may be helpful in a weight management program.
3. Postmenopausal Breast Cancer
Results
of a prospective study involving 51,823 postmenopausal women for an average of
8.3 years showed a 34% reduction in breast cancer risk for those consuming the
most fruit fiber compared to those consuming the least. In addition, in the
subgroup of women who had ever used hormone replacement, those consuming the
most fiber, especially cereal fiber, had a 50% reduction in their risk of
breast cancer compared to those consuming the least. Fruits richest in fiber
include apples, dates, figs, pears and prunes. When choosing a high fiber
cereal, look for whole grain cereals as they supply the most bran (a mere 1/3rd
cup of bran contains about 14 grams of fiber).
4. Diabetes
You
probably do not think about the leaves of the fig tree as one of fig's edible
parts. But in some cultures, fig leaves are a common part of the menu, and for
good reason. 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. In one study, a liquid
extract made from fig leaves was simply added to the breakfast of
insulin-dependent diabetic subjects in order to produce this insulin-lowering
effect.
5.Cardiovascular Effects
In
animal studies, fig leaves have been shown to lower levels of triglycerides (a
form in which fats circulate in the bloodstream), while in in vitro
studies, fig leaves inhibited the growth of certain types of cancer cells.
Researchers have not yet determined exactly which substances in fig leaves are
responsible for these remarkable healing effects.
Besides
their potassium and fiber content, figs emerged from our food ranking system as
a good source of the trace mineral manganese.
6.Protection against Macular
Degeneration
Your
mother may have told you carrots would keep your eyes bright as a child, but as
an adult, it looks like fruit is even more important for keeping your sight.
Data reported in a study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology indicates
that eating 3 or more servings of fruit per day may lower your risk of
age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), the primary cause of vision loss in
older adults, by 36%, compared to persons who consume less than 1.5 servings of
fruit daily.
In
this study, which involved over 100,00 women and men, researchers evaluated the
effect of study participants' consumption of fruits; vegetables; the
antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E; and carotenoids on the development of early
ARMD or neovascular ARMD, a more severe form of the illness associated with
vision loss. Food intake information was collected periodically for up to 18
years for women and 12 years for men.
While, surprisingly,
intakes of vegetables, antioxidant vitamins and carotenoids were not strongly
related to incidence of either form of ARMD, fruit intake was definitely
protective against the severe form of this vision-destroying disease. Three
servings of fruit may sound like a lot to eat each day, but by simply tossing a
banana into your morning smoothie or slicing it over your cereal, topping off a
cup of yogurt or green salad with a couple of diced figs, and snacking on an
apple, plum, nectarine or pear, you've reached the goal.
