Dried figs: benefits and harms to the body

The benefits and harms of dried figs have been of interest to mankind since ancient times. The fruit of the fig tree has healing properties. Unfortunately, fresh fruits are not stored for long, so the store most often sells them in the form of dried fruits. You can also dry figs at home, the main thing is to do it right.

What does dried figs look like?

When choosing dried figs, you need to know what quality fruits are:

1. Dried fruits should be light beige without gloss, without dark spots. Dried figs should not be black inside. Sometimes there may be a touch of sugar.
2. The dried fig tree has a flattened shape, the same size.
3. The fruits should be soft to the touch.
4. The taste should be sweet, a little crunch. The presence of salt or acid in the fruits, a musty taste indicates that they are spoiled. To taste the berries, they need to be washed, otherwise you can pick up an infection.

You should know that dried figs smell very strongly of iodine. This specific aroma in fresh fruits is almost imperceptible due to the large amount of juice.

What vitamins are in dried figs

Dried berries contain a whole bunch of various vitamins that have a positive effect on the human immune system. The benefits of dried fruits in slowing down the aging process.

In addition to vitamins, the fruits are rich in minerals, thanks to which you can normalize metabolism, strengthen the skeleton:

• iron and potassium;
• zinc and selenium;
• copper and phosphorus;
• sodium, magnesium and calcium.

Dried figs contain:

• phytosterol;
• glyceric acid;
• pectins and coarse fiber;
• fatty acid;
• proteins and fats;
• sugar and carbohydrates.

Useful properties of dried figs

Doctors advise using the product due to the beneficial properties of dried figs for the human body.

The advantages are that dried figs have a beneficial effect on digestion, the nervous and muscular systems of a person. It is useful to use the product during the season of viral diseases, with coughs and bronchitis. Fig berries are able to relieve fever, as they have antipyretic properties.

Under what circumstances do doctors recommend dried figs:

1. Colds. Figs are boiled in milk, drunk when coughing and to reduce fever.
2. Constipation and gastritis. The presence of a large amount of fiber has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the intestines. The use of dried fruits provides timely stools, as it has a laxative effect. In addition, a few fruits eaten will help to quickly relieve stomach pain with gastritis.
3. With high mental stress. Trace elements and vitamins restore the body’s performance, reduce the risk of stress and depression.
4. Action on the liver and kidneys. Thanks to the enzymes that are part of the dried figs, toxic substances are naturally eliminated from the body. The health benefits of dried figs are also that they contain a lot of minerals, so the body quickly recovers from poisoning.
5. The cardiovascular system. The composition of figs includes potassium, which is necessary for the work of the heart.
6. The use of dried fruits allows you to quickly heal wounds, since the fruits contain a high content of pectin.
7. Rutin, which is part of the berries, contributes to the effective absorption of ascorbic acid.
8. Eating dried fruits helps lower blood pressure.
9. The presence of ficin reduces blood clotting, which is very important for many people.
10. Dried figs have long been taken for hangovers, as it, according to some narcologists, has the quality of an aphrodisiac.

What is useful dried figs for women

The fruits of the fig tree are of particular benefit to women. Dried figs are high in folic acid. That is why gynecologists recommend eating fruits when a woman plans to become pregnant. Folic acid preserves the placenta.

No less useful are dried fruits during menstruation, as they relieve pain. In addition, it is recommended to use figs for women engaged in mental work in order to activate brain activity and cheer up.

The minerals contained in the fruits help protect hair, skin and nails from adverse external influences, which is why figs are used in the creation of many cosmetics.

Benefits of dried figs during pregnancy

As mentioned earlier, dried figs contain folic acid, which is necessary for the proper development of the child, so the berry is simply necessary in the diet.

It is especially important, according to women’s experts, to include fig fruits in the diet in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Eating the fruit relieves contractions, childbirth is quick and easy, even for those women who give birth to their first child.

What is useful dried figs for men

The fruits of the fig tree in dried form are no less useful for the stronger sex. Their use has a positive effect on potency, helps in the treatment of prostatitis and other diseases of the male reproductive system.

In addition, dried figs:

• improves the reproductive health of men;
• improves blood circulation;
• reduces the level of bad cholesterol;
• helps to burn fat deposits in the abdomen.

What is useful for children

We can talk about the benefits and harms of dried figs for women for a long time, but we must not forget about children. Pediatricians have a special attitude to figs, since it contains a huge amount of vitamins, trace elements that have a beneficial effect on a growing organism.

A child under the age of one year is enough for 1 dried fruit per day, which is given in small portions 2-3 times. It’s all about fast carbohydrates, which can harm the health of the child.

But dried fruits can also be given to children, because they:

1. Save children from constipation. To do this, the fruits are crushed and given to babies as a laxative. If the desired effect is not observed after a certain time, medications are taken.
2. Having dried figs available, you can cook delicious desserts by replacing sugar and sweets that are harmful to children’s teeth. With dried fruits, you can bake delicious rolls, cakes, pies, casseroles.
3. If there are problems with appetite, then decoctions are prepared as a tonic. They also help to treat coughs and colds.

dried figs while breastfeeding

After the birth of a child, many women reconsider their diet, consume only healthy foods. After all, all the substances necessary for development, babies receive with mother’s milk.

If some foods have to be removed from the diet, then dried figs for nursing mothers are very necessary. Moreover, it should become mandatory for use every day.

Dried figs for weight loss

The beneficial properties of dried berries are highly valued by nutritionists. Those women who dream of parting with extra pounds are recommended to introduce these dried fruits into their diet. The fact is that fruits are high-calorie foods. But thanks to them, you can quickly get enough (it is enough to eat 2-3 fruits). The main thing is that the dried fruits are of high quality.

Fruits do not have to be eaten just like that, they can be added to salads, yogurt, cottage cheese. In a week, a fig can be included in the diet no more than 3 times.

How to dry figs at home

Many people like fresh fig fruits, but keeping them at home is not so easy – the keeping quality is very low. If you managed to get juicy figs, then you need to process it as soon as possible: cook compote, jam, jam.

For the winter, the fruits can be dried to treat the household. For drying, you can use an electric dryer, oven or dry the fruits in the open air. But before that, they need to be prepared.

For dessert, choose ripe figs:

1. After washing, cut off the damaged areas.
2. After that, to obtain a dessert, the figs are laid out in a boiling syrup made from 3 tbsp. water and 1 tbsp. Sahara.
3. Cook no more than 7-10 minutes. Stir the contents gently so as not to damage the integrity of the fruit.
4. Then spread the figs in a colander to glass the water. Only after these procedures is the product ready for drying at home.

Figs in an electric dryer

Modern household appliances greatly facilitate the work of housewives. Using an electric dryer allows you to get juicy and golden dried figs.

The nuances of cooking a delicacy:

1. After blanching, the fruits are dried and cut, if necessary, into 2 halves (although they can be dried whole). Lay out on a towel to remove water.
2. After that, the pieces are laid out on a pallet.
3. Small fruits are dried for no more than 10 hours. The larger ones are a little longer.

In the oven

For drying fig tree fruits at home, many housewives use the oven.

Drying steps:

1. After appropriate preparation and blanching, the figs are dried with towels and cut into 2 parts.
2. Then spread the pieces on a sheet with holes for ventilation or on a wire rack.
3. Then they are sent to an oven preheated to 60 degrees (this is an important indicator, otherwise the fruits will simply burn!) Oven. The door must be kept ajar so that the fruits do not fry too much and dry out.
4. From time to time, the halves are turned over. Drying usually takes up to 8-9 hours.

When drying a healthy and tasty delicacy in the oven, you need to take out the fruits in time. The finished product will become leathery and dense. If a piece is cut, it will exude juice.

After cooling, dried figs are laid out in containers and put away for storage in the refrigerator. It can stay there for up to 24 months.

How are dried figs processed?

When buying dried figs in a store, it should be understood that for better storage it is specially processed in one of the following ways:

• sulfur dioxide;
• smoked with liquid smoke;
• for boiling use a solution of caustic soda;
• for drying – gasoline burners;
• fruits are processed with glycerin to give the finished product a marketable appearance.

All of these products are not safe for humans.

Do I need to wash dried figs

Dried fruits purchased at the store must be soaked in cold water, changing it several times. First, pour the figs for half an hour, then for another 15 minutes. After that, each fruit is washed separately, cleaning off dirt and sand with your hands.

How to eat dried figs

You can eat no more than 5-6 fruits per day, but only if there are no problems with the intestines. In the presence of diseases, you need to use 1-2 pcs.

Most often, it is recommended to eat figs without additives, although there are healthy recipes for various dishes. The fruits of the fig tree are combined with unsalted porridge, meat products. Fried meat will become healthy and less high-calorie if you eat it with dried figs.

What to cook with dried figs

Dried figs are widely used in cooking:

1. Roast lamb or veal. Pieces of meat are fried with garlic or onions. When the dish is almost ready, you need to add chopped figs.
2. healthy salad. Washed dried fruits are cut into pieces, parsley, dill or other favorite herbs are added. Olive oil is used as a dressing.
3. Casserole. Dried figs need to be cut into circles, laid on a sheet. Grind cottage cheese with spicy herbs and grease the fruits. Bake in the oven until golden brown.
4. Grilled figs. 60 g of cottage cheese is mixed with a small amount of rosemary and 1 tbsp. l. honey. The fruits are cut into 2 parts, filled with stuffing and placed on the grill. A healthy delicacy will be ready in 7 minutes.
5. Figs in saffron milk. 1 st. l. saffron must be insisted overnight in milk. Stuff 9 pieces of figs in the morning. This portion is enough for 3 days. Store the delicacy in the refrigerator.

And now the recipe for dried fig compote. Add 5-7 dried fruits to a liter of water, boil for several minutes. Compote will retain all the beneficial vitamins and properties of berries.

Sweets lovers can prepare such desserts:

1. Candy. Combine the washed figs with any dried fruits, chop in a meat grinder. Add honey, ground nuts. Roll the balls from the resulting mass and dry them.
2. Jam. Take 1 kg of dried fig berries, pour the same amount of granulated sugar. Add 2 tbsp. l. water. From the moment of boiling, cook for 5 minutes. When the mass has cooled, put it in jars.

Use in folk medicine

The beneficial properties of the fig tree have been known since ancient times. Then they didn’t know about medicine yet, all ailments were treated with folk methods. There are many recipes for using dried figs to reduce fever, increase tone, and as an expectorant.

Cough for children:

1. Boil 1 tbsp. milk, add 4-5 figs.
2. Infuse for a third of an hour under the lid.

Take 4 times a day for ¼ tbsp. until the child gets better.

At high temperature:

1. 100 g of dried fruits are poured with boiling water (2 tablespoons), boiled for 15 minutes.
2. After infusion for 2 hours, the liquid is filtered.

Take before meals 3 times half a cup.

Противопоказания

Despite the useful properties, the product is not shown to everyone, as it contains a large amount of sugars.

Diseases in which dried fig berries are contraindicated:

1. Diabetes.
2. Gout. Since the product is saturated with oxalic acid.
3. Problems with the gastrointestinal tract. Fiber can cause inflammation.
4. It is not recommended to consume dried figs before and during travel because of the laxative effect.

dried figs calories

No wonder the fig tree is advised to include in the diet. These berries are very beneficial for health. They contain a huge amount of necessary substances. The energy value of 100 g of dried figs is 978,6 kJ.

How many calories in dried figs in 1 pc.

Since it is most often recommended to use the product by the piece, you need to know the calorie content of one fig. Average 1 pc. contains about 50-60 kcal.

How many calories in 100 grams

There are about 100 kcal in 300 g of the product. Therefore, for weight loss, it is recommended to consume no more than 4-6 fig berries.

How to store dried figs at home

To store dried figs, it is necessary to create optimal conditions: temperature – from 0 to 10 degrees and a dry place. A large number of fruits can be folded into a hermetically sealed glass jar. But many housewives advise storing a small portion of dried fruits in a linen bag, hanging it in a cool, dry place.

The beneficial properties of dried fig berries are preserved for up to 2 years, subject to the conditions. But it is advisable to eat the fruits within 6-8 months. From time to time the contents are inspected and ventilated.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of dried figs have been proven for centuries. It is easy to get the finished product at home. You just need to take ripe berries and follow the recommendations. Since fresh fruits are not stored for long, having received dried fruits, you can provide the family with a healthy and tasty dessert.

Step-by-step recipe for drying figs at home outdoors: