Medical Information In the present day: Can figs be helpful to our well being?

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A fig is a tender fruit with a skinny pores and skin that may be both inexperienced or purple. The flesh of a fig is often crimson, and everything of the fruit is edible.

Folks have used figs to assist deal with well being circumstances associated to the endocrine, reproductive, and respiratory techniques, in addition to the digestive tract.

This text explores the advantages and dangers related to fig consumption. It additionally discusses the dietary content material of each recent and dried figs.

Share on PinterestFigs might scale back abdomen ache in an individual with constipation.

Practitioners of Indian techniques of drugs have lengthy used figs to deal with circumstances affecting the next bodily techniques:

Some researchers consider that figs have the next properties:

antioxidantanticanceranti-inflammatoryfat-loweringcell-protective

These properties could also be chargeable for the therapeutic results of figs. The sections beneath talk about these potential advantages in additional element:

Diabetes and glucose management

The World Well being Group (WHO) have steered that individuals can use conventional crops to assist deal with diabetes. Researchers have famous the fig’s liver-protecting and glucose-lowering results.

Analysis on this topic could be very restricted. Nonetheless, one small examine from 1998 discovered that in eight individuals, there was a lower in after-meal glucose ranges after they took fig leaf extracts.

The examine individuals additionally wanted decrease doses of insulin after they supplemented with fig leaf extract.

In a examine that used rats with sort 2 diabetes, the researchers discovered that fig leaf extract may enhance insulin ranges and decrease blood glucose ranges.

In a special examine utilizing mice with diabetes, the researchers revealed that fig leaf extract may cease or decelerate the manufacturing of glucose within the liver.

Erectile dysfunction

Some folks think about sure crops to be aphrodisiacs as a result of their potential potential to stimulate sexual arousal. Certainly, some folks use figs for his or her alleged aphrodisiac properties.

A examine in rats examined the aphrodisiac skills of three crops: earth smoke, Chinese language cinnamon, and figs.

The researchers measured the effectiveness of a mix of those crops by learning the rise in mounting habits. The rats that obtained this combination had elevated sexual exercise, in contrast with the management group.

Nonetheless, it’s tough to find out which of the three crops was chargeable for the elevated sexual exercise.

Researchers haven’t but examined the aphrodisiac results of figs in people. Additional research are needed earlier than medical doctors can advocate utilizing figs for erectile dysfunction.

Pores and skin well being

An older examine within the Worldwide Journal of Dermatology in contrast the results of fig tree latex with these of cryotherapy on widespread warts.

Within the examine, 25 individuals with widespread warts on each side of their physique utilized fig tree latex on one facet. On the opposite facet, medical doctors used cryotherapy.

The researchers discovered that in 44% of the individuals, the fig tree latex fully resolved the warts. Cryotherapy was simpler, nevertheless, leading to a whole reversal in 56% of the individuals.

Researchers don’t but perceive why figs will help resolve warts, however fig tree latex may supply a secure and easy-to-use therapy choice that presents little or no uncomfortable side effects.

Hair well being

Only a few research have regarded on the connection between figs and hair well being. Nonetheless, figs are very excessive in iron, which is a vital mineral for serving to keep wholesome hair.

Earlier than an individual begins taking extracts or dietary supplements for hair well being, they need to converse with their physician to make sure that it’s secure for them.

Fever

Extra analysis is critical to check the impact of figs on fever. Nonetheless, a examine in rats confirmed dose of a fig alcohol extract diminished physique temperature for as much as 5 hours.

Additional research are wanted to substantiate these findings, nevertheless, as researchers are nonetheless uncertain the right way to clarify the physique temperature-lowering impact of figs.

Digestive well being

Because of the fruit’s laxative properties, folks generally use fig syrup to assist deal with constipation. Nonetheless, just a few research have ever supplied proof of figs serving to with constipation.

In a single examine, the researchers gave rats loperamide (Imodium) to trigger constipation. The rats that obtained fig paste had fewer episodes of constipation than the management group.

One other examine in contrast the results of figs and fiber dietary supplements in folks with useful constipation. Figs improved the vast majority of constipation signs, together with:

bowel motion timenumber of bowel movementsstomach ache and discomfort

Figs additionally decreased the trouble essential to cross a stool and improved the sense of incomplete evacuation.

The researchers didn’t word any variations in constipation reduction between fiber dietary supplements and figs.

Fig syrup is on the market for buy on-line.

The dangers related to figs might fluctuate relying on how folks use them. The sections beneath cowl this in additional element.

Treatment interactions

Each recent and dried figs comprise a excessive stage of vitamin Ok. Folks taking blood-thinning medicines comparable to warfarin have to maintain the vitamin Ok ranges of their weight loss program constant, so they might want to keep away from figs.

Digestive signs

Since figs have a excessive fiber content material, consuming too many figs — particularly dried figs — may cause diarrhea.

Allergic reactions

Some folks could also be allergic to figs.

Researchers in Vienna discovered excessive share of individuals allergic to birch pollen had constructive pores and skin allergy exams to recent figs.

Particularly, though 78% of the individuals with birch pollen allergy had a constructive pores and skin take a look at to recent figs, most tolerated dried figs.

Selecting dried or recent figs will depend on an individual’s tastes, preferences, and circumstances.

Dried figs comprise extra energy, sugar, dietary fiber, nutritional vitamins, and minerals than recent figs. Contemporary figs could have extra vitamin C, vitamin A, and beta-carotene.

An individual ought to at all times rinse recent figs. After that, they’re edible as they’re.

Folks may also eat dried figs as they’re, or they’ll reconstitute them by soaking them in heat water till they soften.

Folks can use recent and dried figs in quite a lot of dishes. Listed below are just a few recipes to attempt:

The next desk, which is customized from the USA Division of Agriculture, reveals the dietary content material of 100 grams (g) of uncooked and dried figs in kilocalories (kcal), g, milligrams (mg), and micrograms (mcg):

Uncooked figsDried figs Energy74 kcal249 kcal Protein0.75 g3.three g Lipids0.three g0.93 g Dietary fiber2.9 g9.eight g Sugar16.26 g47.92 g Calcium35 mg162 mg Iron0.37 mg2.03 mg Magnesium17 mg68 mg Phosphorus14 mg67 mg Potassium232 mg680 mg Vitamin C2 mg1.2 mg Folate6 mcg9 mcg Choline4.7 mg15.eight mg Vitamin A7 mcg0 mcg Beta-carotene85 mcg6 mcg Lutein and zeaxanthin9 mcg32 mcg Vitamin K4.7 mcg15.6 mcg

A fig is a nutritious fruit that gives numerous calcium and fiber. Folks can select to eat recent or dried figs, however they need to be conscious that dried figs comprise extra energy and sugar.

Folks can use figs to assist deal with quite a lot of circumstances, as they’re unlikely to trigger hurt. Nonetheless, there’s not at present sufficient analysis to again up most of the claims related to the alleged well being advantages of figs.

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