Figs More Than Just a Newton Highest Contest of Polyphenols
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Commercially dried figs have one of the highest contents of 'polyphenols' -substances in plants hypothesised to confer reduced cancer risk benefits General prostate pains are caused by silicon deficiency. Figs, white onions, cabbage, cucumbers and radish are food, which if taken in sufficient quantity, offset this deficiency. Figs: More Than Just a Newton Figs have been popular for a long time. Ancient Sumerians heralded their medicinal value as early as 2900 BC. Mithridates, the Greek king of Pontus, claimed that the fruit was an antidote for all ailments. Pliny, the Roman physician and writer, said figs increased the strength of the young and preserved the health of the elderly. So, the fig is not a stranger, but it is still uncommon to find it in an American fruit bowl among apples and oranges. Figs contain several nutrients including vitamin B6, iron, and calcium. Figs are a particularly good source for potassium and an excellent source of fiber. Potassium is a mineral crucial to the control of blood pressure. People who eat potassium-rich foods tend to have lower blood pressure and, subsequently, have less risk of related conditions such as strokes. Potassium helps reduce blood pressure in several ways. For example, it removes excess sodium from cells, which helps balance body fluid levels. Another example is that potassium helps prevent low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol from collecting on artery walls. Three figs, fresh or dried, contain about five grams of fiber. The fiber in figs is both soluble and insoluble. Dissolved soluble fiber coats the walls of the digestive tract, preventing potentially harmful substances in stools from adhering to the walls. Soluble fiber can also help people cut down on snacking because causes nutrients to be absorbed more slowly, making people feel more satisfied after a meal. Insoluble fiber does not dissolve in the digestive tract. Instead, it travels through the tract, absorbing water. The result is that stools become firmer and move out faster so there is less opportunity for them to do harm. Sources: "New Foods for Healing" by Selen Yeager and the editors Figs apparently have a derivative of benzaldehyde. It has been reported that investigators at the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research in Tokyo say benzaldehyde is highly effective at shrinking tumors, though I haven't seen this report. In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says figs, which contain vitamins A and C, and calcium, magnesium and potassium, may curtail appetite and improve weight-loss efforts. Fig juice is also a potent bacteria killer in test-tube studies. General prostate pains are caused by silicon deficiency. Figs, white onions, cabbage, cucumbers and radish are food, which if taken in sufficient quantity, offset this deficiency. Raw juices, especially a mixture of the juices of oranges, apples, spinach, carrots, beet, celery, cucumber and parsley, are of great benefit in prostate troubles. Fig Ficus carica Domestication dates aren't known; fig seeds have been found in bronze age settlements in the Mediterranean, but it's impossible to say whether they were from wild or domestic trees. Figs are very soft
when they are ripe, so they are particularly difficult to market as a fresh
fruit. Most of the fruit is dried.
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