What are the nutritional benefits of figs?
What is fig latex?
Do figs contain fig wasps?
Figs are one of those ancient fruits up there with dates.
grapes and olives that have been utilized since the dawn of human life. Repeatedly
mentioned in the bible as well as valued as a holy tree species in many major
religions of the world, they are known to symbolize prosperity. peace and
fertility native to the middle east and then spreading to Mediterranean
locations, the physical Caracas species has been widely grown and consumed by
humans.
In region spanning from Portugal to Afghanistan. within the
physicians. There are also other tropical variations on the Indian
subcontinent, like the figures religious or the sacred fig yeah. also
interesting to note is that banyan trees are actually a type of fig tree called
a strangler fig.
Similarly, the sycamore fig is a variety common to numerous
areas of the middle east. in addition to the central and south Africa. as one
of the first wild fruits domesticated by humans, long before other food crops. Figures
are believed to have been a relevant food source for some of the first
civilizations on the planet.
Likewise, they're considered to be a keystone species,
helping to sustain wildlife populations in addition to maintaining the
structure of many ecosystems.
because of this feature, they're often viewed as a paradise
girl garden of Eden type three species with thick foliage and very large green
leaves that provide ideal shade canopies. the different types of figs. most all
commercial figs consumed come from the mulberry family and fakers karaka
species, which produces dozens of edible plump fruit cultivars.
Generally, there are three main subcategories classified as
the common figure. The common fig the Smyrna and the san Pedro. here in California.
fig trees were introduced by some of the first Spanish missionaries led by juniper
Sarah, hence the mission variety.
They are still today a very common wild edible that is
naturalized throughout the state. producing massive trees that can reach up to
fifty feet in height. like all fig trees, they usually produce two crops of
fruit in the spring and fall seasons. if you've never tasted a fresh, ripe raw
fig, they have a soft edible skin and jelly light consistency that is sweet,
delicious. and very satisfying to the appetite as a morning meal, they're also
commonly dried and make a convenient snack food.
Dried figs can be made into a type of fig paste or can be
soaked and utilized in recipes. why is it best to consume ripe figs. figs are
one of those fruits you wanna preferably consume at the peak of ripeness. this
is not only for taste considerations.
but also because the unripe fruit, especially the skin and
pulp. contains a white milky substance known as fig latex, that can cause a
burning sensation in the mouth. wild figs straight off the tree sometimes
cracks slightly upon ripeness. this is an indication that less latex is
present. before we delve into a few benefits of figs from a nutritional standpoint,
first, let's address the dead watch issue.
This is incidentally another reason why you might want to
consume ripe fake varieties. are figs vegan. Do they contain dead wasps? while
figs are basically considered a fruit, technically speaking, there actually an
inverted flower. what does that mean. well, figs are a bit unique in that they
basically bloom inside their pods as opposed to externally like most fruit and
plant species that.
Can be pollinated by wind, bees or other insects. this means
that some species, but not all, require cross pollination from the male copra
fig for the fruit to reach maturity. fixed species, for example, like the Smyrna
and its popular California sub cultivar known as the calamine fig, are
consequently fertilized by a specialized fig wasp. who tightly squeezes through
a hole or o. steel at the bottom of the fruit.
A female wasp lays eggs as well as drops pollen inside the
internal flowers, then it dies within the fig, the male larva who develop. first
fertilized the females then drill holes in the fruit pod. Which acted as an
escape route for wasps that will later hatch.
It is rare that you will see or notice the fragments of dead
wasp remains in these varieties because most of the time this protein is
consumed by the fig latex derived photolytic enzyme. known as fighting or
fishing after fully ripe. the crunchy texture in ripe fig fruits is not bits of
dead wasp. These are the seeds produced from these pollination activities. essentially,
so the plant can reproduce.
Nor are the golden seeds or white fiber strands, pieces of
wasp larvae or eggs. if you happen to cut open an unripe Smyrna or san Pedro
type fig before the pheasant has broken down the wasp protein. it'll have a
dark spot somewhere in the fruit. you can eat it without harmful effects. in
fact, it will provide a little more added insect protein. if you're into that
sort of thing. however, if you prefer
A vegan fig option, it is best to select soft, ripe cow,
mirna, figs or Smirnoff or sand page of varieties rather than firm ones. the
other good news is that the majority of common fig figures Carrick of varieties
sold on a commercial scale are produced on female trees. that don't require polarizer
as they're self fertile. these include figs such as the mission koda brown,
turkey and Canada.
So ultimately, there's more of a chance that non commercially
cultivated figs may contain wasp protein. most figs you find at your local
supermarket do not involve wasp fertilization to develop fig fruits. nutritional
benefits of figs, high fiber food good for constipation. the central cd.
fibrous pulp and thick outer layer of the fig fruit is a very good source of
dietary fiber. as such, one may notice that figs happen to be very satisfying
to one's appetite. and help you to feel full for longer periods of time.
One of the top benefits of figs and consuming their high
fiber content is their ability to encourage healthy bow functions. along with
prunes and dates, they are an often top recommended food for constipated
conditions. useful as a natural laxative. They can be a great addition to the
diet for such issues, especially when eaten alone. First thing in the morning. one
large fresh fig provides approximately one point nine grams of dietary fiber
for seven percent, the daily value based on a two thousand calorie diet.
In one study conducted on dogs, it was shown that fig paste
promoted laxative effects and decreased high protein died induce constipation. by
increasing fecal weight and shortening transit time. it was concluded that fig
paste might be useful for humans suffering from diet related constipation. contains
antioxidants, polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthony and fig, fruit, skin and pulp is also valued for
its high amount of polyphenol content, which exhibits antioxidant properties.
Some varieties notably have more than others and dried figs,
are shown to be particularly concentrated. in some research. the polyphenol
content found in two tunisian fig varieties, temporary and sultan. were
observed to be the main components responsible. for the antioxidant activities,
in one review published in the journal of evidence based complementary
alternative medicine, who was reported that fig fruits.
Might even contain greater of phenomenal compounds than red
wine and t. one of the studied flavonoids found in figs, especially the skin,
is anthos cyanine. this is a purple, red or blue plant pigment, also
concentrated in other super fruit varieties like asai, maki and blueberries. the
main antha cyanine in most all fig fruits, according to research, was a cyanide
in three zero routine outside or c r compound.
In other reports. the dark skinned mission fig variety showed
the highest any oxygen capacity. vikas karaka polysaccharides. the physics
caracas species is also apparently composed of plant specific policy sacrifice
known as fc. or physics carica policy rides.
All those scientific research is currently limited in some
investigation. these polysaccharides are identified to have an influence on
modulating immune response, providing any oxygen. a potential antitumor
properties. in one study on carp, fcps was shown to up regulate immune
regulated gene expression. Stimulate immune response, and enhanced disease
resistance. top nutritional benefits of figs. snacking on fresh or dried figs
is a low calorie way to increase your intake of some essential nutrients.
according to nutrition data, fig fruits are a good source of
minerals and vitamins like potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron and sync in
addition to the vitamins, kay. b six a and c. they're often considered a
beneficial food for reducing hypertension. this is mostly due to the fact that
dietary potassium can help to balance and excrete high sodium levels. associated
with higher blood pressure risk.
Figs are viewed as a health enhancing fruit for increasing
bone density. magnesium and calcium are, of course, healthful nutrients that
work together for healthy bones. big fruit is also a source of fat soluble
vitamin k. deficiency of which can increase the risk of osteoporosis and
fractures. while tried, figs are nutrient dense because the water content has
been evaporated, keep in mind, they're also higher in sugar content and sometimes
hearted digest.
How to use. the best way to eat a fig. in our opinion, is
straight as a fresh, ripe fruit. however, because figs are somewhat fragile and
have a relatively short shelf life, they are commonly available as a dried
variety outside of their habitat locations. fresh figs can be found at most
major grocery stores, went in season, and of course, that local farmers markets
in fig producing regions.
It is a good idea to store them in the refrigerator. As they
will last considerably longer. there are a multitude of ways to use both fresh
and dried figs, and different cultures have their own unique ways to utilize
them.
Any countries. fig paces often use to add moisture and
sweetness to various types of desserts. in the us fakes became very popular
with the invention of the fig Newton, the type of saw centered cookie featuring
the paste ingredients. we use soaked and blended figs in many dehydrated
recipes like our apple cinnamon granola.
Precautions figs consumed in excess may cause loose stools. we recommend avoiding figs, especially dried varieties. if you have sugar sensitive health issues like Candida overgrow. consult your healthcare practitioner before adding large amounts of fig to the diet if pregnant nursing will have a serious health condition. Thanks.