Why is figs good for you

The rats that received this mixture had increased sexual activity, compared with the control group. However, it is difficult to determine which of the three plants was responsible for the increased sexual activity. Researchers have not yet examined the aphrodisiac effects of figs in humans.

Further studies are necessary before doctors can recommend using figs for erectile dysfunction. An older study in the International Journal of Dermatology compared the effects of fig tree latex with those of cryotherapy on common warts.

In the study, 25 participants with common warts on both sides of their body applied fig tree latex on one side. On the other side, doctors used cryotherapy. Researchers do not yet understand why figs can help resolve warts, but fig tree latex could offer a safe and easy-to-use treatment option that presents little or no side effects. Very few studies have looked at the connection between figs and hair health.

However, figs are very high in iron , which is an important mineral for helping maintain healthy hair. Before a person starts taking extracts or supplements for hair health, they should speak with their doctor to ensure that it is safe for them. More research is necessary to test the effect of figs on fever. However, a study in rats showed that a dose of a fig alcohol extract reduced body temperature for up to 5 hours. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings, however, as researchers are still unsure how to explain the body temperature-lowering effect of figs.

However, only a few studies have ever provided evidence of figs helping with constipation. In one study , the researchers gave rats loperamide Imodium to cause constipation.

The rats that received fig paste had fewer episodes of constipation than the control group. Another study compared the effects of figs and fiber supplements in people with functional constipation. Figs improved the majority of constipation symptoms, including:. Figs also decreased the effort necessary to pass a stool and improved the sense of incomplete evacuation.

The researchers did not note any differences in constipation relief between fiber supplements and figs. The risks associated with figs may vary depending on how people use them. The sections below cover this in more detail. There are a number of ways to add figs to your diet, each with its own potential benefits.

Here are the four main ways you can include figs in your diet:. You can enjoy figs in a variety of ways, but due to their high sugar content, you should only eat dried figs in moderation or use them as an occasional home treatment for constipation. To reap the benefits of figs, you can buy fresh figs, dried figs, fig leaves, or fig leaf tea to add to your diet. Be sure to only use dried figs in moderation due to their sugar content.

Along with the fruit, fig leaves and fig leaf tea appear to be beneficial for health. Dried figs in particular may help relieve constipation. However, figs may interfere with blood thinning medications due to their vitamin K content, and dried figs should be eaten in moderation due to their high sugar content. That said, overall, fresh figs, fig leaves, and fig leaf tea make great additions to a healthy diet.

This article looks at both sides of…. Figs and dates are popular snack foods, particularly when dried, but you may wonder how they differ. This article compares the nutrient profiles of…. This is a detailed article about dried fruit and its health effects.

Dried fruit is very nutritious, but also contains a lot of sugar and calories. Though fruits may not be what first comes to mind when trying to gain weight, several types may be beneficial in this regard.

Here are 11 healthy…. Dates are chewy fruits with a sweet flavor. This article discusses 8 health benefits of dates, as well as how to add them to your diet. Vitamin K plays a vital role in blood clotting, as well as bone and heart health. This article lists 20 foods that are exceptionally high in vitamin K.

Vitamin D has numerous health benefits, but it's tricky to know which supplement to choose. Here are 13 of the best vitamin D supplements, according….

This is a detailed review of vitamin D toxicity and how much vitamin D is considered too much. Toxicity is rare, but can occur with extremely high…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Use our award-winning symptom checker to find out — it's free!

All of Healthily's articles undergo medical safety checks to verify that the information is medically safe. View more details in our safety page , or read our editorial policy. Fresh or dried figs make a handy, portable snack, or you can chop them up and add them to salads and sandwiches.

They also make a good natural sweetener in baked goods, such as breads, cookies or muffins. But are there any other fresh or dried fig benefits? The common fig plant belongs to the mulberry family and grows naturally in most Mediterranean countries.

Figs contain calcium, copper, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and iron, as well as the vitamins A, B6, C and K. Like all fruits, they also provide fibre. Both fresh and dried figs are tasty and contain lots of nutrients.

There are some differences, however. The main difference is that dried figs are much higher in sugar and calories, because the sugar gets condensed when fruit dries. However, they also provide more fibre and minerals than fresh figs. Fresh figs, on the other hand, are lower in calories and sugar and provide more vitamin C and vitamin A.

Figs have long been known as a home remedy for digestive problems. Dried figs in particular are a good source of fibre, which supports your digestion and may help prevent both constipation and diarrhoea.

Calcium and potassium are minerals we need to look after our bones and keep them healthy, and dried figs are a good source of both. Some small studies have suggested that consuming figs or fig extracts may have other health benefits, including improving blood pressure and heart health.