Fantastic Figs. 

Digging into a ripe and juicy fig feels just so good.  Figs come from the Ficus tree which is part of the Mulberry family. Sweet to taste, figs are soft and chewy and are filled with crunchy edible seeds. Figs have a bud-like opening called an ostiole on the top which helps the fruit to develop. This fruit comes in many varieties, shapes and textures. The leaf of the Fig tree is also edible. 

Besides being highly nutritious, Figs have a historical and cultural significance  - being mentioned numerous times in the Bible as a symbol of peace and prosperity. The fig tree is one of the oldest fruit trees and is used for medicinal purposes in many cultures. In the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cultures, figs are consumed during religious festivals and celebrations. Fig trees are thought to have first originated in the Middle East and were first cultivated in Egypt. 

Fig leaves:

Fig leaves are edible and are good sources of vitamins A, and B2.Fig leaves impart a lovely coconut-walnut-vanilla flavour to food. Fig leaf tea made from either dry or fresh leaves helps to heal bronchitis, is said to be anti-diabetic and lower triglycerides. The first use of the fig leaf being used as a wrap dates back to the third century.

Nutritive value: Figs are packed with fibre, vitamins, and minerals that include potassium, calcium and magnesium which makes them a great addition to a healthy diet. They are particularly rich in copper and vitamin B6. Copper helps in metabolism and energy production while vitamin B6 helps the body break down dietary protein and create new protein. Fresh figs are low in calories while dried figs are high in calories and sugar. 

  

Health Benefits:

• Figs act as a natural laxative because of their high fibre content and generally nourish and tone the intestine. The fibre also has prebiotic properties, thus feeding the gut bacteria and thus promoting digestive wellness. 
• Figs, especially the ripe ones, are rich in polyphenols or plant compounds that have antioxidant properties
• Figs are said to support healthy blood pressure since they naturally increase potassium levels. 
• Figs support bone health as they are rich in calcium, magnesium and phosphorous. 

This post is part of the featured Blogchatter A2Z 2023challenge.