Dry fig benefits have a lot. Dried figs are the dried forms of the fig fruit, which grows on the fig tree, scientifically known as Ficus carica. While fresh figs are quite popular for their juicy, luscious texture, they are rather delicate fruits and are only available for a short time each year. Fresh figs are only good for 1-2 weeks after they are harvested, and are best consumed within a few days. Dried figs, on the other hand, can be savored throughout the year. They are also readily available in many parts of the world and have a much longer shelf life than fresh figs. This is a Middle Eastern fruit but is now widely exported to the rest of the world. Dried figs are made by either drying in the sun, or through a dehydration process to remove excess water, leaving behind a fiber-rich, nutrient-dense snack. Here we are going to discuss the benefits of dry fig.
Dry Fig Benefits
Dry Fig Benefits of Skin Care
With a good amount of vitamin E, vitamin C, and calcium, these dried fruits can give your skin a much-needed boost. These active ingredients can work as antioxidants to clear out free radicals and prevent them from causing oxidative stress, which leads to wrinkles, age spots, and other blemishes. It can also improve skin elasticity, to keep you looking younger for longer.
Dry Fig Benefits of Bone Density
There is a diverse range of minerals found in these dried fruits, which can be good news for those looking to protect their bone density. As you age, your body pulls minerals from the bones, resulting in weak joints and increasing your risk of osteoporosis; fruits like this can slow down that process.
Dry Fig Benefits for Blood Pressure
With a significant amount of potassium, these dried fruits are excellent for lowering blood pressure. Potassium is a vasodilator, meaning that it can reduce the strain on blood vessels and arteries, thus protecting your cardiovascular system from heart attacks, strokes, and atherosclerosis, while also lowering your risk for coronary heart disease.
Dry Fig Benefits for Immune System
Vitamin C is a key component of any immune system, as it can stimulate the production of white blood cells and strengthen your defenses against various infections and foreign pathogens. The other antioxidants in these fruits can further reduce the workload on your immune system.
Dry Fig Benefits for Chronic Disease
Chronic disease and inflammation are serious issues that many people face, but by increasing the number of minerals and vitamins, particularly antioxidants, you can reduce oxidative stress in your system and prevent things like heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis.
Dry Fig Benefits for Weight Loss
The significant level of fiber in these dried fruits helps to increase feelings of fullness, thus preventing overeating or unnecessary snacking; that being said, the high calorie and sugar level should be noted, and this fruit should only be eaten in moderation.
Dry Fig Benefits for Diabetes
While the fiber content of these fruits can regulate the release of glucose and insulin in the body, the high concentration of natural sugars must be considered, particularly if you are diabetic, as per a study published in the International Journal of Medical Research and Health Sciences in 2017.
Dry Fig Benefits for Cholesterol
Dietary fiber has been proven to scrape excess cholesterol from the cardiovascular system, thus protecting against heart disease and the buildup of plaque.
100g Dry Fig Nutrition
- Water [g] 30.05
- Energy 249
- Energy [kJ] 1041
- Protein [g] 3.3
- Total lipid (fat) [g] 0.93
- Ash [g] 1.86
- Carbohydrate, by difference [g] 63.87
- Fiber, total dietary [g] 9.8
- Sugars, total including NLEA [g] 47.92
- Sucrose [g] 0.07
- Glucose (dextrose) [g] 24.79
- Fructose [g] 22.93
- Galactose [g] 0.13
- Starch [g] 5.07
- Calcium, Ca [mg] 162
- Iron, Fe [mg] 2.03
- Magnesium, Mg [mg] 68
- Phosphorus, P [mg] 67
- Potassium, K [mg] 680
- Sodium, Na [mg] 10
- Zinc, Zn [mg] 0.55
- Copper, Cu [mg] 0.29
- Manganese, Mn [mg] 0.51
- Selenium, Se [µg] 0.6
- Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid [mg] 1.2
- Thiamin [mg] 0.09
- Riboflavin [mg] 0.08
- Niacin [mg] 0.62
- Pantothenic acid [mg] 0.43
- Vitamin B-6 [mg] 0.11
- Folate, total [µg] 9
- Folate, food [µg] 9
- Folate, DFE [µg] 9
- Choline, total [mg] 15.8
- Betaine [mg] 0.7
- Carotene, beta [µg] 6
- Vitamin A, IU [IU] 10
- Lutein + zeaxanthin [µg] 32
- Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) [mg] 0.35
- Tocopherol, beta [mg] 0.01
- Tocopherol, gamma [mg] 0.37
- Tocopherol, delta [mg] 0.01
- Tocotrienol, alpha [mg] 0.03
- Vitamin K (phylloquinone) [µg] 15.6
- Fatty acids, total saturated [g] 0.14
- Fatty acids, total monounsaturated [g] 0.16
- Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated [g] 0.35
- Tryptophan [g] 0.02
- Threonine [g] 0.09
- Isoleucine [g] 0.09
- Leucine [g] 0.13
- Lysine [g] 0.09
- Methionine [g] 0.03
- Cystine [g] 0.04
- Phenylalanine [g] 0.08
- Tyrosine [g] 0.04
- Valine [g] 0.12
- Arginine [g] 0.08
- Histidine [g] 0.04
- Alanine [g] 0.13
- Aspartic acid [g] 0.65
- Glutamic acid [g] 0.3
- Glycine [g] 0.11
- Proline [g] 0.61
- Serine [g] 0.13
Dry Figs Side Effects
Figs may cause digestive upset or diarrhea due to their anti-constipation effects. They may also interfere with blood thinners, and some people may be allergic to them.
