Fig Review

What You Should Know

Widely regarded as one of the most nutritional fruits on the planet, the common fig is rarely found fresh but is widely used in dishes and diet snacks because of its low caloric content and its numerous antioxidants. One fig amounts to roughly 44 calories per serving and also contains important nutrients such as iron, potassium, cancer-fighting flavonoids, and dietary fiber. Evidence supports its numerous benefits including its ability to lower high blood pressure, its ability to promote fullness in the abdomen, and its ability to lower insulin levels for diabetics. Finding figs fresh is a bit difficult because it is only grown in certain climates during the year, but nutritionists often recommend you try these fruits fresh rather than dry, due to the jump in calories — roughly 215 calories, to be precise.

Partaking in a bowl of figs to help you lose weight won’t necessarily help you drop pounds, however, and depending on this fruit may not be the best way to help further one’s weight loss efforts.

Ingredients

One fig contains around 44 calories and contains iron, potassium, Vitamin B6, dietary fiber, and antioxidants called flavonoids.

Product Features

When it comes to benefits, figs have numerous benefits documented by many studies which mainly include lowering blood glucose and blood pressure, as well as benefits that may help diabetics and overweight dieters. Its abundance of antioxidants, called flavonoids, are also proven to have cancer-fighting benefits and is shown to prevent cell mutation, the leading cause of most cancers. Its dietary benefits are also noted — at 44 calories per serving, it is considered one of the lowest caloric fruits available to consumers. It also contains nutrients which provide nutritional benefits, and dietary fiber is a big component here. Evidence shows dietary fiber helps promote fullness, which may act as a mild appetite suppressant.

Figs do have their limitations, however, and they won’t fix an unhealthy diet. Finding fresh figs, where all of these benefits are not compromised, is a bit difficult also and the fig fruit expires quickly. Finding dry figs or figs incorporated into diet snacks is not difficult, however, but the benefits are mostly negated when used in this fashion. Figs are a bit difficult to retrieve to receive its dietary benefits in this instance.

Advantages

• Is a low calorie food.
• It contains dietary fiber, which may provide an appetite suppressant effect.

Disadvantages

• Finding fresh figs, which contain the most benefits, is difficult.
• Most figs are included in sugary snacks, which does negate some of its dietary benefits.
• Figs alone will not provide substantial benefits, and will not replace a healthy diet and exercise.

Conclusion

Figs have numerous cited benefits including its appetite suppressant qualities and its helpful nutrients but figs alone will not replace a healthy diet. It may serve as a sweet snack to help supplement a diet, however, and few fruits contain as many nutrients as the common fig.