Figs and their Nutritional Benefits

Na na na na na na na na Gettin Figgy with it!  Hey hey summer is coming to an end but not without a respectable mention to the delightful FIGS.  Ahh I remember when my taste buds first experienced the sweetness of this fresh whole fruit.  My expectations of figs were blown away.  I used to associate this fresh fruit with Newton, Fig Newton. Only in emergency was I ever going to ingest them.  Well let me tell you ~ Figs are Figgin Amazing!

Dried figs are available throughout the year, but if you want fresh sweet figs, NOW’s the time to still enjoy them.  They are in season between June and September with some varieties extending further into the Autumn season. So hurry up before they are gone for the year.

Interesting Tid Bit of Information

Figs can be traced back to ancient times and have some biblical reference.  It is thought that they were first cultivated in Egypt and then were late spread throughout the Mediterranean. The fig tree was considered sacred by European and Southwestern Asian cultures and early Olympians feasted on these fruits for their nutrients.

Figs: What are they good for?

Weight Loss / Weight Management

Figs may even help you to lose weight and manage your weight.  This is due to their great source of dietary fiber.  So you could say, it’s a sweet way to lose weight. They are a gentle and effective laxative, though too many may cause diarrhea.

Blood, Hearts and Brains!

Figs are also a good source of Potassium.  This essential mineral helps to control blood pressure.  If you are someone who does not eat enough fruits and veggies and / or if you are someone who consumes more than a fair share of processed foods then your body may be deficient in potassium.  This is because most processed foods are high in sodium not to mention any added table salt that some of us shake onto our meals.  This excess amount of sodium that our bodies really do not need robs us of what our bodies really DO need.

Studies have shown that low intake of potassium-rich foods, especially when combined with a high intake of sodium, can lead to hypertension.  Figs are also important for brain and nerve function.  Other problems related to insufficient potassium intake are muscle aches and twitches, electrocardiogram abnormalities, respiratory depression, decreased reflex response and cardiac arrhythmia.

Intestines

Taken either fresh or dried, the fig is regarded as a dependable laxative on account of its large cellulose content and its tough skin. The tiny seeds in the fruit possess the property of stimulating peristaltic or wave like movements of intestines which facilitates easy evacuation of feces and keeps the alimentary canal clean.

Asthmatic Lungs

Figs are considered beneficial in the treatment of asthma. Phlegmatic cases of cough and asthma are treated with success by their use. It gives comfort to the patient by draining of the phlegm.

Other Nutrients

calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin C, choline, vitamin A, phosphorus and vitamin K.  Other trace nutrients found in the fruit are lutein, vitamin E, vitamin B6, folate, zinc, selenium and copper.

Selecting and Eating Figs

Figs vary in color and texture depending upon the variety, of which there are more than one hundred and fifty. Some of the most popular varieties are:

• Black Mission: blackish-purple skin and pink colored flesh
• Kadota: green skin and purplish flesh
• Calimyrna: greenish-yellow skin and amber flesh
• Brown Turkey: purple skin and red flesh
• Adriatic: the variety most often used to make fig bars, which has a light green skin and pink-tan flesh

One of my favorite ways to eat figs is to slice them up into small slices and place a few pieces onto a cracker along with avocado and goat cheese.  It is an equal balance of sweet and savory.

Figs can be made into jams, all kinds of desserts, you can boil them and stew them to add into a savory dish.  Or you can simply enjoy them by plucking off the stem and devouring it.  Figs are a fruit worth sharing!

Won’t you try out some recipes and share them with us? Take a picture of you dish and tell us how you made it!

FYI:  Some Caution

An important and interesting fact is: “Figs are among a small number of foods that contain measurable amounts of oxalates, naturally-occurring substances found in plants, animals, and human beings. When oxalates become too concentrated in body fluids, they can crystallize and cause health problems. For this reason, individuals with already existing and untreated kidney or gallbladder problems may want to avoid eating figs.”

Figs are a fruit worth sharing!  So enjoy the rest of this summer and seek out these fabulous fruits and get Figgy With It!

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