Figs and Why They are a Great Fruit to Eat
published by pattiann on Feb 27, 2012
I am going to tell you why figs should be a regular part of your diet.
When a person says fig, most people often think of the popular cookie Fig Newtons.
Figs are considered to be a super source of fiber. It is a tasty way to fit fiber into your diet because the American on average only eat 12-17 grams of fiber a day. The American Dietetic Association says it suggests between 20-30 grams a day. The Daily Value is 25 grams. Diane Grabowski-Nepa, R.D. a dietitian and nutritional counselor at Pritikin Longevity Center in Santa Monica, California says, “Fiber is so good for so many things. Because fiber builds heavier stools, it helps you eliminate waste more quickly and efficiently, which studies shows help relieve constipation and possibly prevent colon cancer.” The more fiber in your diet you will not let you gain a lot of weight and will reduce your cholesterol, which in turn helps you avoid heart disease.
Back to figs. You will get 5 grams of fiber in three fresh or dried figs and that is 20% of the Daily Value suggestion. 43,757 men between the ages of 40-75 were studied by Harvard University and the results of the study say that those men who got the most fiber had half the risk of having heart attacks than those who barely ate any. A man can drop his chance of getting heart disease by 30% by adding 10 grams a day to their diet.
Grabrowski-Nepa says, “Figs are particularly good for people who are overweight which is another risk for heart disease. And figs are very sweet, so they satisfy those sweet cravings.” Figs have so much fiber it takes longer for them to leave your stomach you will feel full and not each as much. But, you knew there had to be a caveat, figs are high in calories so don’t eat too many each day.
We need potassium a lot for our blood pressure and figs are full of potassium. If you eat a lot of food that contains potassium you will have a lower blood pressure. (I eat a banana a day and my blood pressure is 110/80 and the nurse said that was fantastic) and you will also have less chance of stroke or blood clots.
# 1 by rgreenfield
February 27th, 2012 at 6:08 pm #
Good to know these great info about figs. Thanks for sharing, Pattiann.
# 2 by Lynn Proctor
February 27th, 2012 at 7:02 pm #
There is nothing better than a fresh fig right off the tree. The ones you buy in the fresh food section of the grocery have usually already lost their flavor. Fig leaves also have some therapeutic value, and are made into tea and eaten as dal in Indian cuisine. Fig leaves are also used historically for many different illnesses. Thanks for the article on one of my very favorite foods!
# 3 by Lynn Proctor
February 27th, 2012 at 7:05 pm #
Made a mistake about them being eaten as dal. I was thinking of hibiscus leaves. Sorry.
# 4 by Uma Shankari
February 27th, 2012 at 9:23 pm #
I love figs, and I like this article…
Lynn Proctor, I know about Hibiscus being used to shampoo hair or its flowers being used to make drinks, but its use in making dal is …something new.
# 5 by ittech
February 27th, 2012 at 9:26 pm #
Powerful as always …
# 6 by SharifaMcFarlane
February 28th, 2012 at 7:24 am #
Good that they help to reduce the risk of heart disease.
# 7 by diamondpoet
February 28th, 2012 at 9:50 am #
I love fig newtons. Well written article and very informative.
# 8 by Margaret Boseroy
February 28th, 2012 at 11:47 am #
I love figs. My sister has a fig tree in her backyard, and when they get ripe, we have to compete with squirrels for them!
# 9 by johnbee79
February 28th, 2012 at 10:39 pm #
I do love my fig Newtons. Good write and good fruit.