Fig Fabulous!

Fig season in Terceira Island is August through September. Luckily, each time my family visited their homeland, it was perfectly timed to enjoy the festivities and the succulent sweet-tasting, fresh, plump figs.

I have always consumed figs in their entirety, with the skin. But figs can also be consumed unpeeled, if preferred. Although dried figs are never out-of-season and available year-round in the grocery store, freshly picked figs are truly worth the wait. Did you know that figs are an inverted flower, yet still considered a fruit?! These decadent fruits are densely-packed with nutrition. Figs are high in polyphenol antioxidants, minerals (potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, copper, and manganese), Vitamins B1 & B2, small amounts of omega-3 and 6s, phytosterols, carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin), and fiber. A serving of 4-5 figs provide a sweet source of 150 milligrams of calcium, plus 5 grams of fiber, and 400 milligrams of potassium. That’s about 10% of the daily value for both calcium & potassium, and 20% of the daily value for fiber! Figs provide a nice boost to your bones, while decreasing your blood pressure, and keeing you regular. The plentiful of seeds provide most of the fiber source. Their high amounts of mucin make figs a soothing laxative for constipation.

Figs are an alkaline-producing food—actually, one of the most alkalizing foods. As a result, figs help support a healthy pH in the body. There is one word of caution…If you are prone to calcium oxalate stones, then consider limiting fig consumption because they are known to have high levels of oxalates. Even the fig leaves are medicinal. Not only do the fig leaves have anti-diabetic properties to lower blood sugar, the leaves can also lower triglyceride levels.

Fresh figs even help maintain beauty and have a detoxifying action on the skin. Figs have been referenced in ancient writings. Figs were a favorite fruit for Cleopatra, and King Solomon used fig juice on boils. To discharge unwanted materials from the skin such as splinters, corns, warts, and boils—give figs a try! Figs contain a proteolytic (protein-dissolving) enzyme called ficin, which can be found in the milky discharge from the fruit and twigs. Ficin helps to dissolve unwanted skin growth. Just open up a fresh fig and adhere the pulp to the affected skin overnight. The next morning, uncover the affect area and soak in hot water before attempting to remove any unwanted discharges or growths. More than one application may be needed, especially if it is “stubborn”. How is that for a home remedy?!

If you have a “sweet tooth” like me, and want to satisfy your sweet-craving—Figs are lusciously sweet. A simple refreshing dessert of fresh fruit will usually do the trick!

Here is my grandfather enjoying a freshly picked fig!  Mmm. Fig-Licious!


Fig-licious ingredients:
Some raw honey (desired amount, but much in not needed)
Freshly squeezed lemon or orange juice, or both!
Ripe whole figs, rinsed in cool water and then sliced into rings
Variety of your favorite fresh fruits (I like to mix between oranges, blueberries,
raspberries, strawberries, peaches, pears, grapes, mango, cherries, pineapple, and
melons)
A cup of your favorite whole-fat plain (unflavored) yogurt is optional

Fig-licious instructions:
Stir the raw honey and freshly squeezed fruit juices together in a small bowl.
In another larger bowl mix, add all your fruits.
Then pour the honey & fresh juice mix over the fruit and stir.
Then stir in the unflavored yogurt if you’d like.
Cover and allow to chill in the refrigerator for an hour before serving.
Decorate with rinds and mint sprigs and enjoy a fig fabulous dessert with friends and
family!
Cindy Azevedo, ND Student, University of Bridgeport

Labels: figs, fruits, health benefits, nutrition, plants