Figs or figs - this is one of the oldestcultivated plants on our planet, which is repeatedly mentioned in the Bible. As is known, according to the Old Testament, it was her leaves that became the first "clothing" for man, and in the Koran there is Surat At-tin, in which Allah swears by fig and olive, as two blessed fruits.
Figs are consumed in fresh and dried form.From its ripe fruits prepare also tasty jam and jam. This fruit is perfectly combined with meat, so it is included in the main dishes of the most exquisite restaurants.
About this, what useful properties and contraindications for dried figs, this article will tell.
Depending on the variety, the fruits of the fig treehave a black-blue, yellow, purple or black color. They are covered with thin skin with small fluff. At the top there is a hole in the form of an eyelet, which is covered with scales.
Fig fruits in a ripe form have excellenttaste and contain many valuable substances. However, they are very gentle and they are almost impossible to transport, as they quickly lose marketability. To export fresh figs, it has to be ripped from trees in an immature form. However, in this case, the fig fruit contains significantly fewer substances that have a positive effect on the human body.
Save all the valuable vitamins and trace elements contained in fresh fig tree fruit, you can by removing excess moisture from them.
The dried figs, whose useful properties will be considered further, are easily and quickly obtained in the oven. A little longer you will dry it under the direct sun.
In the first case you need:
Dried figs, whose useful properties wereknown in ancient times, can be considered ready when its upper part becomes leathery and dense. In addition, when cutting the finished dried fruit should not be allocated juice.
The traditional way is to leave the cut fruit under the direct rays of the sun. To dry figs in the open air, you need:
To prepare this method of dried figs,useful properties of which are widely used in folk medicine, it will take 2-3 days. In this case, you need to turn every morning pieces of fruit, so that they dried out faster and more evenly. If after 3 days the fig is not ready, you can dry it in the oven.
Finished dried fruit should be decomposed into containers and closed with a lid. Store dried figs should be in the refrigerator. It will not lose its beneficial properties within 2 years.
The benefits of dried figs for the health of adults and children have long been proven. It is a consequence of the balanced chemical composition of the fruit of the fig tree.
The unripe fig fruits contain acrid milky juice and are inedible. A completely different situation with ripe figs.
When fresh, its fruits contain up to 24% of sugars.(fructose and glucose), and in dried - up to 50%. They also contain tannins, organic acids, fats and proteins, and in the leaves - such unique substances as psoralen and bergapten.
In addition, fresh figs contain up to 24%sugars, 1.3% protein and 0.5% acids. In dried fruits, protein is 3-6%, and sugar - 40-50%. This composition gives them a pleasant taste, and the person who tried them, there is a feeling of satiety. At the same time, the caloric content of dried fruits is 214 kcal per 100 g. They contain vitamins (A, B1, B3, C and PP) and minerals (sodium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus). In addition, figs contain potassium. At the same time it is so much that in its content the fig is inferior only to nuts.
This fruit is widely used in folkmedicine. It has a beneficial effect on intestinal peristalsis, removes toxins and toxins from the body, and gently solves the problem of constipation. Pectins contained in fruits restore and heal connective tissue and articular cartilage.
A high level of antioxidants cleanses the blood of dense cholesterol plaques, as well as small vessels and capillaries, making them more elastic and less permeable.
Healers and folk medicine specialistsFigs are used to treat anemia, various infections, oncology, fungal diseases, problems of the musculoskeletal system, diseases of the cardiovascular, nervous, digestive and endocrine systems, as well as the oral cavity, skin and respiratory organs.
In many countries of the East dried figsSince ancient times, recommended for girls and women suffering from pain during menstruation. In addition, the inclusion of this fruit in the diet helped to normalize mental equilibrium during menstruation.
Figs are especially useful for those planningget pregnant or is expecting a baby. Dried figs contain significant amounts of folic acid, which helps to preserve the integrity of the placenta and has a very positive effect on the fetal development of the fetus.
And yet, in many countries of the East, future momstry to regularly treat figs, especially in the last months of pregnancy, as it is noticed that in this case, childbirth is easier and less often protracted.
It is recommended to use figs and representatives of the stronger sex. Useful properties of dried figs for men - the ability to effectively cope with impotence.
This was known in antiquity.Oriental doctors prepared a healing medicine in the following way: they soaked 2 dried fruits in 1 cup of warm milk and left to stand overnight. In the morning the patient had to drink the resulting liquid and eat the pulp of the fruit.
Figs in traditional medicine and used to fightwith prostatitis. To prepare a medicinal drink, take 5 fruits and pour them with 1 cup of hot water. Mix thoroughly, insist a little and drink twice a day, 1 glass 30 minutes before meals. Treatment should be carried out within 1 month. If there is no improvement in the patient's condition, you can repeat the same course in 2-3 weeks.
The well-known properties of driedfigs for weight loss. It is established that in its ripe fruits contains many ballast substances that reduce the feeling of hunger. In addition, its pips have an effect on the human body that is identical to what fiber has on the intestine. They improve digestion and prevent constipation.
In order to shed those extra pounds,it is necessary at least 2-3 times a week instead of snack or dinner to eat a couple of figs. Moreover, nutritionists recommend eating it separately without adding other products.
Thus, dried figs - is a great assistant in the fight against obesity.
For kids, the beneficial properties of dried figs(see photo above) also should not be ignored. These fruits are not only possible, but should be given to children. They are a real source of vitamins and can replace any “pharmacy” vitamin complexes. At the same time, in case of colds, it is useful for babies to give a drink from milk in which dried figs were soaked with the addition of butter and honey. Use of this remedy will relieve cough much faster than any pills.
For children who eat poorly, fig syrup will help restore appetite and improve digestion.
In addition, the mineral salts contained in figspotassium, iron and magnesium normalize blood formation processes, so their use helps to increase hemoglobin level, as well as relieve anemia and improve blood quality.
If the baby often has problems with the stool, then the puree of dried or soaked dried fruit in hot water normalizes the bowels.
The only thing: it is recommended to include figs in the diet of children gradually and closely monitoring the body's response to a new product for it.
As you can see, the list of useful properties of FIG.quite extensive. However, dried figs, the calorie content and useful properties of which you already know, has a number of contraindications to use. In particular, it is not recommended to use diabetics because of the high content of sugars, as well as people suffering from gout, since the fruits of this fruit have a high content of oxalic acid. Doctors do not advise to use figs and exacerbations of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract due to the abundance of fiber in them.
People with a weak stomach are not recommended to eat figs before long journeys or before an important meeting, as this fruit has strong laxative properties.
All this indirectly affectscardiac activity and contributes to its improvement. When using dried fruits of figs, the heart rhythm is normalized, as well as blood pressure goes down and tachycardia passes.
If you boil dried figs in milk, thenyou get an excellent cough remedy, which is used for various respiratory diseases, which are accompanied by cough, such as whooping cough, tonsillitis, bronchitis and pneumonia.
The same healing broth is used as an antipyretic and sudorific for these diseases.
Значительное содержание витаминов группы В в The dried fig fruit explains the benefits of this fruit for the nervous system. In particular, after its use in humans, the activity of the nervous system is normalized, the mood improves, and mental activity and efficiency increase.
256 are present in 100 g of dried figscalories, so it is not recommended to consume a large amount of this dried fruit, especially if you want to get rid of extra pounds. But for those who have a lack of body weight, for example, after surgical interventions and strict diets for medical reasons, figs are useful as a restorative and high-calorie food.
Now you know what useful properties andcontraindications for dried figs. We hope this information will help you to improve your health and cope with being overweight, without resorting to medications and without using dietary supplements.
