When it comes to regular munchies, dry fruits are a common option in India. Not only is the chewy flesh with a naturally sweet taste a pleasure to bite into, but it also offers you nutrients. If it's raisins, dates, dehydrated mangoes, or berries, for a guilt-free treat, there are plenty of choices to pick from and pair with other health boosters such as nuts and seeds. Of these, Anjeer or fig, a member of the mulberry family, is the one dry fruit that stands out for its amazing health-beneficial properties.
The tiny bell or pear-shaped fruit is widely available during the year in its dried form, but there's nothing like having it fresh, as the saying goes. An absolute delight is the soft, juicy flesh loaded with crunchy seeds, particularly when it is wine poached or grilled, and drizzled with a little honey on top. Toss it into rocket leaf salads, nuts, summer vegetables and cheese, and right there you have a lunch champion!.
Although the fresh fruit can score high on natural taste, the dried anjeer matches us for being a balanced snack that is simple at any time. It has a higher vitamin, mineral and antioxidant concentration is readily accessible, and can also be used to produce mithais, halwas, jams, and other preserves. Besides the different ways in which it can be used to brighten up your palate;
Here are some of the health benefiting properties of ajneer-
1. Weight Management
Since figs are a good fiber source, research has found that as high-fiber foods have a positive impact, they could help in weight management. In our daily diet, fiber forms an essential part. Fiber is not only good for our digestive system; it has also been linked to a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and cancer. Health experts will tell you that high-fiber foods make you feel full and satisfied for a long time, which is why they easily fit into your strategies for weight loss.
2. Reduces blood pressure
A good source of potassium is Anjeer. Potassium is an important mineral that is necessary for the body, and it is said that its regular intake helps to maintain blood pressure because it tends to negate sodium's harmful effects. A diet rich in potassium is essential because we live in a world where we constantly rely on processed foods that have high sodium content. Doing so can help with blood circulation and digestive disorders as well. According to a study done by the Shiga University of Medical Science in Japan, it states that having a diet rich in potassium can help you protect against heart and kidney disease for people with diabetes.
3. Encourages Reproductive Health
Figs were considered to be a sacred fruit and a natural aphrodisiac, according to the ancient Greeks. Fertility and love symbolized it. Figs were combined with milk and taken in ancient India, too. They all contribute to improving reproductive health since it is loaded with minerals such as zinc, manganese, magnesium and iron. Moreover, young girls are often advised to eat figs to overcome PMS problems as a home remedy. Studies have also found that dried figs help to protect against postmenopausal breast cancer and hormonal imbalances, as they are a high source of antioxidants and fiber.
4.Heart Health Boosts
Studies have shown that figs help to decrease the level of triglycerides in the body, which are fat particles that circulate in the bloodstream and are a major cause of heart disease. In addition, the high antioxidant content in dried figs coupled with blood pressure lowering properties helps to remove free radicals from the body, which in the long run could lead to coronary artery blockage and prevent coronary heart disease.
5. Assists in preventing constipation
The high content of fiber in figs helps maintain a healthy digestive system, thus helping to prevent constipation as well. In order to maintain regular bowel movements, fibers are essential and food sources such as figs are found to assist in easing digestion when regularly consumed.
6.Promotes Bone Health
A good source of calcium is dried figs. To fulfill the daily requirement of the mineral, the human body requires about 1000mg of calcium per day. Since the body does not produce calcium, what we eat only contributes to the needs of the body. Despite having milk, which is the highest source of calcium, we most often fail to meet the fixed requirement. It is therefore important to include other sources of calcium in our diet, such as figs.
7. Regulates Blood Sugar
The high level of potassium in the figure helps to control the level of blood sugar in the body, thus keeping a check on the amount of sugar absorbed after meals. Therefore, to help diabetics, a high potassium diet is said to help. Research studies have also found that chlorogenic acid in figs helps to lower blood sugar levels and control type II diabetes blood glucose levels.
