Figs, originally from the Mediterranean, have been cultivated for over 5,000 years. These fruits have pink flesh and a characteristic mild sweetness when ripe, and are very rich in nutrients. In ancient Greece, figs were considered an indispensable fruit for Olympic athletes during training and were even called the "Fruit of Life."
Figs originate from the Mediterranean region (Source: Sohu)
Figs are both a fresh fruit and a traditional Chinese medicine. They contain sugar, vitamins, amino acids, malic acid, citric acid, hydrolytic enzymes, as well as abundant minerals such as selenium and fiber.
According to the "Compendium of Materia Medica," figs are sweet, neutral in nature, non-toxic, soothe the throat, and reduce swelling, pain, and ulcers.
Dr. Jin Yan, from the Department of Prevention and Treatment at the No. 1 Hospital of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, stated that figs are rarely mentioned in the daily diet of Chinese people, but they are a common fruit in the Mediterranean diet, and have even been used as medicine for 6000 years.
Recently, scholars from the Center for Nutritional Research at the Institute for Food Safety and Health of the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) in the United States conducted a comprehensive analysis of relevant global literature from 2000 to 2022, and summarized the various health benefits of figs. The conclusions were published in the Swiss journal Nutrients.
Weight loss support
In 2011, a study published in the journal "Nutrients" followed 13,000 people for four years, showing that those who regularly ate dried figs had lower body mass index (BMI) and smaller waist circumferences compared to those who did not eat them.
Additionally, studies have shown that eating 120 grams of fresh figs daily instead of other snacks for 5 weeks may help control weight.
Promotes digestion
Figs are rich in fiber and pectin, and are often used to improve digestive health. A randomized controlled study on patients with irritable bowel syndrome whose primary symptom was constipation showed that consuming 45 grams of dried figs daily significantly improved constipation and other symptoms.
Good for blood vessels
A study published by researchers at the Institute of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania showed that in overweight individuals or those with risk factors for cardiovascular disease, after eating 3/4 cup of mixed dried fruit (approximately 120 grams, including dried figs) daily for 4 weeks, their HDL (high-density lipoprotein) levels increased.
Maintaining stable HDL (high-density lipoprotein) levels helps the body eliminate excess fat and plaque buildup in the arteries, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Control blood sugar levels
For centuries, figs have been used to treat diabetes. In recent years, numerous studies have confirmed the role of active compounds extracted from this fruit in lowering blood sugar levels.
A 2016 study showed that after type 2 diabetes patients drank fig leaf decoction, their post-meal blood sugar levels decreased within 2 hours. In another study, patients' blood sugar levels decreased by 13.5% after eating figs for 2 months.
Source
Comment (0)