Figs helps fight hypovitaminosis, gives vitality, improves bowel function. With it, they cleanse the body of toxins and increase the secretion of breast milk. Fig fruits contain a lot of fructose - this is the benefit and harm of figs to the body.

Useful properties of figs for the body

Figs are the fruit of a fig tree (fig tree). For sweetness and juiciness it is also called wine berry. Figs are used raw or in the form of dried fruits, used in folk medicine. Fresh and dried fruits vary slightly in their properties and scope.

What is the use of fresh figs?

Fig fruits are often eaten when losing weight, because they are an excellent substitute for sugar.

Here's what fresh figs are good for:

  1. Saturates the body with vitamins B1, B5, B6, B9, A, C, K, PP and nutrients. Its calorie content is 74 kcal / 100 g. It is rich in fruits and mineral compounds. They contain calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron and copper.
  2. Maintains a functional state of immunity.
  3. Helps to quickly deal with respiratory infections.
  4. Affects the health of the heart and blood vessels: normalizes blood pressure, prevents blood clots, lowers "bad" cholesterol.
  5. It has a diuretic effect, helps to remove excess fluid from the body.
  6. Accelerates the metabolism.
  7. Normalizes digestive processes, prevents constipation.
  8. Helps to eliminate toxins and alcohol.
  9. Increases the rate of regeneration of damaged tissues.
  10. Prevents the development of diseases of the reproductive system.

In addition to the listed properties, the use of fresh fig tree fruits gives an antidepressant effect. The fruit stimulates the production of a hormone that gives a feeling of satisfaction.

The benefits of dried figs

Dried wine berries are also used in traditional medicine. In cooking, it is used to prepare healthy dishes.

To find out what dry figs are, check out the list:

  • quickly quenches appetite due to high calorie content (257 kcal / 100 g);
  • increases the elasticity of veins and arteries;
  • helps to increase hemoglobin;
  • inhibits the development of tumors;
  • helps with constipation and intestinal cramps;
  • stimulates appetite;
  • positively affects the condition of the skin;
  • facilitates the course of respiratory diseases.

Sometimes dried fruit is used to increase the effectiveness of mental activity.

Contraindications and harm from eating figs

Due to the high amount of fructose, dried fruit should be consumed in limited quantities. But there are a number of diseases in which the fruits of the fig tree are not recommended. Strict contraindications include individual intolerance to the fruit and a tendency to allergic reactions.

Here is a list of diseases in which figs can be eaten little by little and only with the permission of a doctor:

  1. Diabetes.
  2. Obesity.
  3. Chronic gastritis.
  4. Pathology of the spleen and liver.
  5. Gastrointestinal ulcers.
  6. Pancreatitis in a chronic form.
  7. Bladder stones
  8. Gout in chronic form.

If wine berry is consumed in moderation, there will be no harm to the body. The daily norm for an adult is 2 pcs. per day, for children - 1 pc.

The abuse of figs may cause the following problems:

  • the development of diabetes;
  • weight gain;
  • poor bowel obstruction;
  • skin rashes, acne;
  • pressure reduction.

In addition, to give a marketable appearance, wine berries are sometimes processed with chemicals. This can lead to intestinal disorders.

Traditional medicine recipes with figs

The beneficial properties of figs allow its use in traditional medicine to alleviate the symptoms of certain diseases. Here are some effective folk wine berry recipes.

Milk infusion from sore throat

The tool softens the vocal cords and reduces the pain in the throat, so it is often used during tonsillitis and pharyngitis.

The recipe is very simple:

  1. 20 g of dried fruit and chop in a blender.
  2. Boil milk (250 ml) and pour dried fruit on it.
  3. Insist until cool.

The daily dose of the drug (250 ml) should be divided into 5 doses. It is not forbidden to add a small amount of honey to an already cooled infusion, it will enhance the useful properties of figs.

It is interesting that such a popular drug will help get rid of constipation. In this case, the daily portion is divided into 2-3 doses.

Milk cough broth

For diseases of the lungs and bronchi, to get rid of coughing attacks, a folk remedy is prepared according to the following recipe:

  1. In a small saucepan put 100 g of dried berries;
  2. Pour milk (500 ml);
  3. Bring to a boil;
  4. Dried fruits are boiled in milk over low heat for 10 minutes;
  5. Insist 3 hours;
  6. Filter.

You don’t need the berries themselves, but the milk broth has acquired healing properties. It should be consumed warmed 4 times a day. A single serving of medicine is ½ cup.

Lotions from abscesses

Figs contain antiseptic substances, so it can be used for skin diseases. For faster maturation of the abscess, cut wine berries should be applied to the sore spot. You can use dried fruits, but first you have to soak them in water.

Laxative sweets

Fruit mixtures have long been used in folk medicine to improve digestion and relieve constipation.

Here is one of the options for a laxative with the addition of wine berries:

  • 100 g of dried berries (figs + raisins) scroll in a meat grinder;
  • add spices to the resulting mass - ginger and nutmeg (½ tsp each);
  • mix and knead the ingredients thoroughly;
  • divide into portions and roll the mass into balls 1 cm in diameter;
  • keep sweets in the refrigerator.

Such a laxative is best taken in the evening for 1-2 pcs.

Digestive Soap

For stomach pain and slow digestion in the intestines, soaked figs are used. Dried berries (3 pcs.) Are crushed and poured with cool water. A folk remedy should be taken in the morning: drink an infusion along with wet berries.

Application

Fig fruits can have different effects on people depending on their gender, age and physiological condition. Let's talk more about the benefits and harms of figs for various population groups.

Figs for children

Despite all the usefulness of the fruit, it is not allowed to give it to infants up to a year, since it can disrupt digestion. Children older than 1 year can be given half of dried figs per week. Children of gardening and school age can already eat 1 wine berry.

In what cases can a child be given figs?

  1. For problems with the stool (constipation), figs 1 each. consumed daily for 3-5 days. If the expected effect does not occur, you should immediately consult a doctor!
  2. For sweet tooth, dried fruit will be healthier than sweets. But you should not abuse too, because the sugars and acids contained in figs contribute to the destruction of enamel.

Typically, figs are added to cereals for children to give them a pleasant taste.

Figs for men

Among the adepts of traditional medicine, there is a myth that with the help of figs, impotence can be cured. In fact, this is not possible.

Fig fruits can be attributed to aphrodisiacs: they increase the sensory perception and sexual energy of healthy men, but they can not cure sexual dysfunction.

For women

But for women, a sweet fruit is useful, especially for menstrual pain. It weakens pain, helps fight weakness. With premenstrual syndrome, it improves mood, smoothes out mental reactions.

Wine berry is also useful for expectant mothers. Thanks to vitamin B9, a stable condition of the pelvic organs is maintained, the same substance affects the health of the placenta.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnant women often suffer from constipation, so they are usually allowed to eat figs. And in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, wine berries are even recommended to be eaten in small quantities. Some doctors believe that eating figs makes it easier and faster to give birth.

You can also eat figs for nursing mothers. It positively affects the secretion of milk, does not cause allergic reactions in the baby. And the fruits of the fig tree help to cope with the anemia that many women are exposed to after birth.

How to choose and store figs?

Figs are subtropical fruits, so in the northern regions it is rarely possible to buy high-quality and fresh wine berries. They quickly deteriorate on their own, and the inevitable shaking during transportation damages the skin of the fruit, as a result various microorganisms penetrate inside. Shelf life of fresh figs is not more than 10 days. So that the fruits do not deteriorate, they can be picked in advance. In this case, the storage time will increase, but the fruit will be almost tasteless.

If you climbed into the warm regions (at least to the Black Sea), you can try fresh figs.

Here are some things to look for when choosing:

  1. The appearance of the peel. It should not have dents, scratches or punctures.
  2. Hardness. When pressed with a finger, the mature fig is slightly soft. If the fruit is stiff, then it is unripe.
  3. Smell. Ripe wine berries are very fragrant.

But it is not worth paying attention to the color: depending on the variety, figs are green, purple, yellow.

The fruits of the fig tree in the refrigerator can be stored for up to 10 days, but already on the 4th day after collection, the aroma weakens and the taste is worsened.Also, fresh fruits can be frozen for up to 1 year.

When choosing dried figs, use the following tips:

  1. Buy fruits of yellow and light brown shade.
  2. Give preference to dried fruits with a matte coating. It shows that the fruit is covered with protruding sugar. If the surface glistens and glosses, then the figs are clearly processed with something to give the product an attractive look.
  3. Squeeze the dried fruit in your fingers, it must be elastic. Overdried figs should not be purchased.

If you have purchased dried wine berry for the future, you can save it in cloth bags or cardboard boxes. They should be put in a cool place. Make sure that the humidity in the storage area is not high, otherwise dried fruits will begin to mold.

Fig fruits are a tasty and healthy delicacy with which you can get rid of digestive problems and ease the symptoms of a cold. But to abuse these dried fruits is harmful because of the large amount of sugar and high calorie content.

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