Originally hailing from the Transcaucasia region, Figs (Ficus carica) are now ubiquitous in different Mediterranean and Central Asian countries such as Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey and Georgia.

Turkey is the world’s leading producer of figs. The country’s largest fig tree populations are found along the shores of the Black Sea, the Aegean Sea and the Sea of Marmara as well as along rivers in southeastern and central Anatolia. Iran is also a major producer of the fruit with about 90 percent produced in the southwestern Fars province.

Aside from being used for food, figs have also been used for medicinal purposes. In Iran’s Fars province, figs are traditionally used to cure warts and as a purgative. In Omani traditional medicine, fig fruits are boiled in water and the resulting liquid drunk to relieve cough. Meanwhile, Greek folk medicine traditionally recommends eating large quantities of fresh figs to expel intestinal worms.

With these in mind, it may be a good idea for you to follow suit and include figs in your diet today?

Figs can help address heart diseases

If you suffer from high blood pressure, eating figs may help address any symptoms you may experience. A 2017 study looked at the effects of fig fruits on blood pressure, heartbeat and heart rate. Rats given an aqueous methanolic extract of fig fruit had a significant decrease in blood pressure, and also experienced weakened muscular contractions in the hearts and changed heart rate. The authors said that flavonoids, phenols and potassium promoted these cardiovascular effects, concluding that figs may reduce the risk of heart disease in hypertensive patients

Figs can help keep blood glucose levels at bay

Naturally sweet figs can also stabilize your blood sugar levels, aside from being delicious snacks themselves. A 2018 study found that compounds present in figs such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins and vitamin E contributed to enhanced production of insulin and reduced blood glucose in diabetic patients.

A study performed the succeeding year found that fig fruit extract had significant effects on blood sugar and insulin levels. Ten healthy adults drank four test beverages with 100 milligrams, 200 milligrams, 600 milligrams and 1,200 milligrams of fig fruit extract – with researchers assessing their post-meal glucose and insulin levels over two hours. Volunteers who drank the beverages containing 600 and 1,200 milligrams of fig fruit extract had lower blood sugar levels, while blood insulin levels in all participants went down depending on the amount of fig extract their drink contained.

Figs can help make bowel movement easier

Aside from addressing the effects of hypertension and high blood sugar, figs can also help alleviate difficulties in your daily bowel movement. A 2015 study looked at the effect of fig paste in patients with constipation associated with multiple sclerosis: Forty patients were divided into two, with one group receiving 10 grams of fig paste and the other receiving a placebo thrice daily for a period of three months. The group given fig paste reported less frequent spontaneous bowel movements and straining during defecation, and minimized sensations of incomplete waste expulsion.

A later study looked at the effects of fig extract combined with flaxseed powder on functional constipation. Fifteen patients took three caplets of fig extract and flaxseed powder daily for 14 days and recorded their bowel activities. The participants reported significant improvements in their frequency of defecation and stool consistency, and experienced less pain during stool expulsion.

Both fresh and dried figs are commonly eaten as healthy snacks — usually on their own or combined with other ingredients such as other dried fruits and nuts in trail mixes. A common recipe for figs involves them being baked with honey and served with yogurt and a dash of cinnamon. The Croatian spirit rakija travarica is the country’s most popular alcoholic beverage, commonly served with dried figs. Rakija travarica is made from grapes, figs and other local herbs such as fennel, sage, and wormwood.

A word of caution, however: You should avoid consuming too much fresh figs as their laxative properties can cause excessive flatulence and diarrhea.

Include figs in your daily diet and experience its literal and figurative benefits to your overall health!

Visit FoodIsMedicine.com to learn more about the curative power of figs and other fruits.

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