9 Health Benefits of Dried Figs for Your Diet ...

One of the main benefits of eating dried figs is they promote an alkaline environment in the body, which is important to prevent acidity that leads to inflammation. Some processed dried fruits actually promote inflammation but figs are the exception. An alkaline body helps improve your energy and overall health.

Harmful “fake” estrogens from cleaning products, the environment, and pesticides on our foods disrupt optimal endocrine function. Dried figs are one of the few foods that help fight off these fake estrogens and help to rebalance your hormones naturally. Have three or four dried figs with some oatmeal or quinoa first thing in the day to start your body out on the right foot.

Figs are especially cleansing to the body and can make you more regular. They’re a rich source of soluble fiber, which soaks up water and waste, along with cholesterol and toxic fats. Figs are also higher in fiber than any other dried fruit. The tiny seeds within the fruits themselves are one of the main reasons they’re so powerfully cleansing.

Dried figs are actually higher in calcium than milk! Just one quarter cup provides you with 100 milligrams of calcium, compared to one entire cup of cottage cheese. Dried figs’ calcium content can help improve your nail health, calm your nerves, and strengthen your bones without the harmful side effects of dairy, such as compromised digestion, skin issues, and inflammation.

Fructose malabsorption is a growing problem these days that leaves many people unable to eat most fruits. Fructose can be hard to digest because the liver can only handle so much at one time before it becomes overwhelmed. Fruits like bananas, apples, oranges, figs, kiwis, and melons are all low in fructose and higher in simple sugars and slow digesting fiber.

All fruit is a wonderful source of potassium and figs are no exception. Potassium helps improve your blood pressure to conquer stress and it also helps improve your joint health. Muscle cramps, headaches, tension and anxiety may be nothing more than insufficient potassium intake. A half cup of dried figs contains over 300 milligrams of potassium, which is more than most any other dried fruit.

Figs are also a powerful source of magnesium, an important mineral for your bones and nervous system function. Magnesium is a critical nutrient needed to maintain optimal blood pressure and metabolism to keep you calm, focused, and energized. A half a cup of figs can supply you with 10% of your daily magnesium needs, which makes them a great source for such a small serving.

Figs also contain 10% of your daily iron needs, with 2 milligrams in just one half cup. Consider having some dried figs chopped onto your morning oatmeal or make homemade dried granola bars with figs, oats, raisins, almond butter, and chia seeds. All of these plant-based foods are high in iron and rich in potassium. Figs, prunes, and raisins are also higher in iron than other dried fruits.

Figs are lower in calories than other dried fruits like dried pineapple or dates. They’re also very filling due to their high fiber content, so you won’t be inclined to eat more than one serving. Though most all figs are the same in calories and sugars, Black Mission figs (the dark purple variety) are higher in antioxidants than other types.

All dried fruits contain less water than fresh fruit (which is always the best choice), though dried figs are one of the most beneficial snack choices you can choose so long as you keep serving sizes to ½ cup per serving. Do you like dried figs? Have you ever tried them?

Sources: livestrong.com, whfoods.com, livestrong.com