How Can Dried Fig Infusion Benefit Your Health
It is common to use dried fig infusion, because people believe that its benefits differ from eating it without soaking it, but there are no studies that confirm this, and it is usually soaked in warm water to become soft and easy to eat, and dried figs can also be eaten as it is without soaking.
Does dried fig infusion have benefits on an empty stomach ?
There are no studies on the benefits of eating dried fig infusion on an empty stomach, but as mentioned earlier, dried figs are soaked to make it easier to eat.
General benefits of dried figs
Dried figs have several benefits, including the following :
- Rich in dietary fiber : dietary fiber helps facilitate bowel movements, and may therefore contribute to relieving constipation.
- Rich in vitamins and minerals : dried figs contain a group of vitamins B1, B2, and B5, which all help produce energy in the body, vitamin B5 also helps to form antibodies to fight infection and maintain the health of the digestive system, and figs contain manganese, an important mineral in metabolic processes, and vitamin K, which is necessary for blood clotting, in addition to its calcium content, which the body needs for many functions, the most important of which is maintaining the strength of bones and teeth.
- Rich in antioxidants : dried figs are dried fruits rich in antioxidants, compounds that have a role in reducing the harmful effects of free radicals and have a potential role in preventing some diseases.
- Rich in phenolic compounds : phenolic compounds are responsible for many of the health benefits of dried figs, and they also have antioxidant properties, dry, unpeeled, dark-colored figs contain the highest percentage of phenolic compounds, which are the main types of beneficial plant compounds available in fresh and dried figs, for example, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, and rutin.
On the other hand, it is worth noting that dried figs contain a higher percentage of calories and sugar compared to fresh figs, so it is recommended to eat them in moderation.
The harm of dried figs
The degree of safety of eating dried figs
Eating dried figs is often safe for most people, and for pregnant and breastfeeding women when consumed in the amounts available in food.
Precautions for eating dried figs
People with certain health conditions are advised to be careful when eating figs, and we mention the following :
- Allergy sufferers : people who are allergic to berries, Weeping figs, or natural rubber may develop an allergic reaction when eating figs.
- Who will have surgery : taking fig extracts or supplements containing them – not fig fruits – may cause a decrease in blood sugar levels, which may interfere with controlling blood sugar levels during and after surgery, so you should stop taking these extracts in large quantities at least two weeks before surgery.
As mentioned earlier, dried figs are high in sugar, and may increase blood sugar levels in the short term, so it is recommended to limit the intake of dried figs in case of any problem in controlling blood sugar levels.
Interactions with eating dried figs
Eating dried figs may interfere with blood-thinning drugs such as warfarin, because figs contain a high percentage of vitamin K, and it should be noted that people who consume these drugs need to stabilize the amount of vitamin K consumed daily, so they should reduce the intake of dried figs.
The recommended amount of fruits
The recommended daily intake of fruit for a diet containing 2,000 calories is estimated at two cups of fruit, equivalent to one cup of fruit : a cup of fresh, frozen, canned, or cooked fruit, or a cup of 100% natural fruit juice, and the size of one serving of dried fruit, including dried figs, is 30 grams, which is equivalent to two dried figs.
Nutritional value of dried figs
The following table shows the nutrients in one 8-gram dried fig :
| Item | Nutritional value |
| Energy | 19.9 calories |
| Water | 2.4 milliliters |
| Protein | 0.264 g |
| Total Fat | 0.074 g |
| Carbohydrates | 5.11 grams |
| Dietary fiber | 0.784 g |
| Drunkenness | 3.83 grams |
| Calcium | 13 milligrams |
| Iron | 0.162 milligrams |
| Magnesium | 5.44 milligrams |
| Phosphorus | 5.36 milligrams |
| Potassium | 54.4 milligrams |
| Sodium | 0.8 milligrams |
| Zinc | 0.053 milligrams |
| Copper | 0.023 milligrams |
| Vitamin C | 0.096 milligrams |
| Vitamin B1 | 0.007 milligrams |
| Vitamin B2 | 0.007 milligrams |
| Vitamin B3 | 0.05 milligrams |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.008 milligrams |
| Folate | 0.72 mcg |
| Vitamin K | 1.25 mcg |
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