Fig: The Gift Of God

Figs are probably the earliest fruits that humans have tasted. This fruit is so ancient that it has been mentioned in many civilizations of the world and is known to be found its mention in the Bible and other scriptures. Romans considered it to be a boon from the goddess Bacchus to bless them with children and lovers used to exchange this fruit as a gift wishing to have children. It was the favourite fruit of the beauty queen Cleopatra.

This is one of the wonderful fruits given by the nature. These figs have tremendous health benefits. After fever or illness we lose our appetite due to the tastelessness and feel very weak. In such a situation, if one takes two figs, they not only give strength but can help take the edge off appetite.

Make a habit of eating two figs daily to gain energy. It gives added energy if you drink half glass milk after eating figs.

BENEFITS

■             Figs are uniquely nutritious fruits. They have higher amount of calcium than any other fruits. Calcium is a mineral that has many functions including promoting bone density. For children they give strength to bones, improve IQ and intelligence.

■             They are anti-cancerous as they are excellent source of dietary fibre. The fibre in this fruit has been shown to significantly lower the risk of breast cancer in menopausal women. It also helps in controlling weight. They also contain vitamins such as vitamins A, B, C and K. They are a good source of minerals like iron, magnesium and potassium. Potassium controls blood pressure.

■             Figs contain a number of anti-oxidants, which clean up free radicals that cause the development of cancer, heart disease and signs of aging by damaging DNA and other body systems. The riper the fruit the more anti-oxidants they contain.

■             Certain medicinal properties of figs help reduce triglycerides in the blood thereby protecting the heart. The enzyme called pectin reduces cholesterol in

the body.

■             It is beneficial for diabetics to eat figs. Chewing the leaves of the fig helps in reducing the dosage of diabetic medicine or consuming the extract of the leaves increases the insulin sensitivity and may even be useful in preventing diabetes.

■             Tryptophan in figs can help you get good sleep. Those who suffer from insomnia should have early dinner and have three figs with hot milk and can go to sleep.

■             These fruits help relieve tiredness and give energy to raise brain power. Anaemic people can drink figs boiled in milk to gain the right levels of haemoglobin.

■             Fig juice gives relief from cold. Those who suffer from piles can soak three fruits in water over night and then have in the morning.

■             Eating three or more fruits helps you lower the risk of molecular degeneration. Fruit intake is definitely protective against severe form of vision destroying disease.

■             Bruises can be cured by applying the extract of figs on the effected parts. Girls can get rid of the pimples by eating two figs daily.

■             Those who want to lose weight should eat two to three figs daily apart from routine exercise.

By Nibhanapudi Suguna