Figs and their leaves are packed with nutrients like copper and vitamin B6 and offer a variety of potential health benefits.
Promote digestive health.
Figs have long been used as an alternative treatment for digestive problems and gut health สมัคร UFABET
They contain fiber, which may help regulate bowel movements and decrease constipation by softening and adding bulk to stools. Fiber also serves as a prebiotic, which is the food source for the healthy bacteria populating your gut.
Those who consumed about 4 dried figs (45 g) twice daily experienced a significant reduction in symptoms. Including pain, bloating, and constipation — compared with a control group.
May improve vascular and heart health.
Figs may play a role in improving your vascular health and decreasing your risk of heart disease.
According to a 2023 review, some animal studies have found that supplementing with fig leaf extract led to improvements in:
- blood pressure
- total cholesterol
- HDL (good) cholesterol
- triglyceride levels
That said, the authors note that of the few studies assessing the impact of figs on blood lipid markers in humans, none of them found any significant benefits. In fact, figs were seen to slightly increase LDL (bad) cholesterol and fasting glucose levels in some participants.
More human studies are needed to better understand the relationship between figs and heart health.
May help manage blood sugar levels.
Some research suggests that figs may play a role in managing blood sugar levels.
Drinks containing high doses of fig fruit extract had a lower glycemic index (GI) than beverages with no fig fruit extract. Meaning these drinks may have a more favorable effect on blood sugar levels.
A 2020 study in mice with obesity found that fig extract could help improve glucose tolerance. Insulin sensitivity, and fasting blood glucose levels. This may be due to the fig’s high concentration of abscisic acid.
However, fig fruits — especially dried are high in sugar and may increase blood sugar levels in the short term. If you have trouble managing your blood sugar levels, consider limiting your intake of dried figs.