Figs are seasonal plants which are native to Southeast Asia. These plants belong to the mulberry family. Figs are popular dry fruits in Asia, and they also come with their share of amazing health benefits. Apart from the fruits, the leaves are also just as nutritional. Fig leaves are abundantly rich in various vitamins and minerals. Vitamin A, vitamin B complex, iron, manganese, calcium, potassium, chlorine and phosphorous are some of the nutrients present in the leaves. Due to the abundance of these nutrients, the leaves of this plant provide a multitude of health benefits. Some of those incredible health benefits are listed below.
1. Remedy For Constipation
Constipation can be a difficult problem to deal with. It happens due to the lack of fiber in the diet. It is a common problem nowadays because of dependency on junk food. Junk or processed foods are tasty and palatable, but these foods hardly possess any healthy nutrients or fiber in them. Fig leaves can solve that problem. Any preparation with fig leaves can contain up to 10 grams of fiber. This can easily get rid of constipation and other discomforts associated with bowel movement. Consuming a fig leaves concoction or fresh fruits can also be helpful in this case.
2. Cholesterol Control
Fig contains a type of fiber called pectin. Pectin is a wondrous material as it can penetrate into the metabolic system and eliminate cholesterol by aiding its elimination through the excretory system. Pectin is a water-soluble fiber that can regulate healthy bowel movements. This can reduce the chances of colon cancer and other types of intestinal cancer as well.
3. Healthy Heart
Figs can help in the prevention of heart attacks. Dried fig leaves contain healthy fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6, and several phenolic compounds. These fatty acids can bring down the risk of coronary conditions. Fig leaves have been found to have a detrimental effect on the levels of triglycerides present in the blood. The chemical compounds present in fig leaves have been deemed useful in reducing the percentage of triglycerides from the blood which is a leading cause behind heart attacks.
4. Beneficial For Diabetics
According to the American Diabetes Association, including fiber-rich fig leaves in meals can help in the regulation of diabetes. Fig leaves can decrease the amount of artificial insulin required for daily functioning for diabetics. Also, fig leaves contain high amount of potassium, which is instrumental in the metabolism of blood sugar. Thus, adding fig leaves to your diet can help you in regulating the levels of your blood sugar.
5. Bid Adieu To Hypertension
Sodium is required for normal functioning of our bodies, but too much of anything is bad. Similarly, we tend to consume a lot more sodium than required from our foods (junk, salty foods). Too much sodium can cause hypertension. Potassium is a mineral that can help in eliminating excess sodium from our bodies and prevent hypertension. Fig leaves are a rich source of potassium. Hence, consuming fig leaves can help in reducing sodium levels as well as hypertension.
6. Strong Bones
Calcium is another mineral which is present in abundance in the fig leaves. And, calcium is crucial in maintaining healthy and strong bones. It can prevent bone-related conditions like osteoporosis. Apart from calcium, fig leaves also contain phosphorous which can help in the formation of new bones and recovery from bone injuries. Thus, fig leaves can help in providing overall good health to your bones.
7. Reverses Sexual Dysfunction
Figs have always been referred to as an aphrodisiac that can increase virility, sterility and endurance. From ancient times, figs have been used for increasing sexual prowess because of the large number of nutrients that it possesses.
Now that you know the complete nutritional capabilities of fig leaves, allow yourself to binge on some of those leaves today.
