My first association with figs was as a filling in a cookie…fig newtons. I loved that chewy cookie, and I had no idea figs were actual good for me. They are, I’ve discovered, extremely beneficial.
Did you know that the Romans thought so highly of figs that they considered them a sacred fruit? And in Greece the best figs were not exported but kept in the country as a staple food.
What are Figs?
Figs grow on a species of ficus tree, a member of the mulberry family. California, Greece, Turkey, Portugal and Spain are the world’s top producers of this fruit that prefers temperate climates.
They originated in southern Arabia and they were brought to the Western Hemisphere in the 16th century by the Spaniards.
Figs are an excellent source of dietary fiber, potassium, calcium and iron. They are high in B vitamins, which are specifically bonded to phytochemicals that reduce radiation in the body. Figs are also abundant in micronutrients, and antioxidants.
Health Benefits of Figs
Figs are excellent for supporting brain and gut health, balancing these two intertwined systems that contribute to our wellbeing. Their phytochemicals nourish and build neurotransmitters and support neurons and synapses in the brain, making them a powerful fruit for preventing Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, dementia and ALS.
For the intestines, figs are one of the most effective bowel cleansing foods available. The skins feed good bacteria in the gut while eliminating unproductive bacteria, parasites, mold and toxic heavy metals. Fig seeds clear intestinal crevices of disease causing bacteria and viruses. The fruit’s pulp massages the intestinal lining and builds up the digestive immune system to alleviate stomach pain, bloating, diverticulitis, inflammation, constipation and complications from C. difficile.
Bring more figs into your diet to help with epilepsy, salmonella poisoning, stroke, post traumatic stress disorder, lymphoma, cancer, chronic diarrhea, gallstones, urinary tract infections, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, liver disorders, all types of pain, nausea, lightheadedness, clogged veins, sinus issues and brain fog. (Info from Life Changing Foods by Anthony Williams)
How to Enjoy Figs
Figs can be enjoyed fresh or dried. Avoid the fig newton cookies though, which contain sugar and gluten, among other unhealthy things.
The fruit can be sliced up and added to salads, paired with other fruits, or eaten alone. Munching on celery while eating a fig creates the perfect nutritional combination. Chop figs and use them to top gluten free oatmeal, frozen banana dessert or mixed berries.
Since shifting my diet, I have enjoyed figs in dried form. I have yet to savor a fresh fig, however as we move into the cooler months and the holiday season, I intend to change that. I’ll be watching my local health conscious grocery store for the arrival of the fruit in their produce section. I look forward to sampling my first delectably sweet and chewy fresh, ripe fig.
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