Introduction
Figs are a delicious and nutritious fruit that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. They are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help improve your overall health. Eating figs can provide your body with a range of health benefits, including improved digestion, better blood sugar control, and increased energy levels. In this article, we’ll explore what happens to your body when you eat figs and how they can benefit your health.
What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Figs — Eat This Not That
Figs are a delicious and nutritious fruit that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. From fresh figs to dried figs, figs are a great addition to any diet. But what happens to your body when you eat figs? Let’s take a look at the health benefits of figs and how they can help you reach your health goals.
Nutritional Benefits of Figs
Figs are a great source of dietary fiber, which helps to keep your digestive system running smoothly. They are also a good source of potassium, magnesium, and calcium, which are all important for maintaining healthy bones and muscles. Figs are also a good source of antioxidants, which can help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Health Benefits of Figs
Figs are a great source of dietary fiber, which can help to reduce cholesterol levels and improve heart health. They are also a good source of potassium, which can help to regulate blood pressure. Figs are also a good source of magnesium, which can help to reduce stress and improve sleep quality. Additionally, figs are a good source of calcium, which can help to strengthen bones and teeth.
How to Enjoy Figs
Figs can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Fresh figs can be eaten as a snack or added to salads, oatmeal, or yogurt. Dried figs can be enjoyed as a snack or added to baked goods, trail mix, or granola. Figs can also be used to make jams, jellies, and preserves.
Bottom Line
Figs are a delicious and nutritious fruit that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. They are a great source of dietary fiber, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, which can all help to improve your health. Figs can be enjoyed fresh or dried and can be used to make jams, jellies, and preserves. So, if you’re looking for a tasty and nutritious snack, give figs a try!
From their introduction to the New World by missionaries in the 1500s to their planting in various places throughout California in the 1700s, figs bring an ancient sweetness to the table—with a myriad of health benefits, of course. Although figs can be used to satisfy your sweet tooth, dried or fresh, these fruits can benefit your body in more ways than one.
Here are some of the ways figs can positively aid your body’s health, and for more healthy eating tips, check out these 9 Healthy Eating Habits to Live Over A Century, Say Dietitians.
Figs have a healthy dose of soluble fiber. About four dried figs provide 100 calories and four grams of fiber, which is 14% of the daily recommended amount. Eating foods, like figs, with soluble fiber has been shown to help decrease cholesterol.
Sign up for our newsletter!
Figs contain phytonutrients, or natural plant compounds, called polyphenols and carotenoids. Both act as antioxidants and help scavenge free radicals. These antioxidants also help fight inflammation.
Research has found that figs contain a compound called ABA (abscisic acid) that has been shown to enhance the peripheral intake of glucose and pulls glucose into the body independent of insulin. The fig extract used in the research equates to about 1 1/2 servings of figs.
About four figs provide 100 calories and 6% of your daily recommended amount of potassium, as well as with 4% of the daily recommended amount of both calcium and iron. Potassium and calcium are nutrients identified by the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans as lacking in the American diet. As such, eating figs is a means to your body getting more of the nutrients it’s commonly lacking.
In addition, figs also provide magnesium. Magnesium, calcium, and potassium all play a role in cardiovascular health.
Figs provide polyphenols and carotenoids, which are two phytonutrients, found to help detoxify carcinogens that can lead to cancer. These two phytonutrients also help repair DNA and other tissue damage.