Add Figs to Your Diet for Better Bone Density and Cardiovascular Health

Figs belong to the mulberry family and are quite sweet. They are chewy and have an interesting texture. Getting figs in your diet will supply you with plenty of vitamin C, dietary fiber, vitamin B6, potassium and manganese. Figs have a variety of health benefits, but are well-known for their ability to promote good bone density and cardiovascular health.

Bone Density

Figs, in addition to the above-mentioned nutrients, are considered a fruit source of calcium. Calcium plays a critical role in promoting bone density. The potassium that is present in figs may also help to reduce how much calcium is lost due to the high-salt diet many Americans follow. This will help to prevent bone density loss as well.

Cardiovascular Benefits

Animal studies have shown that fig leaves may help to lower triglyceride levels. However, the substances responsible for these effects have yet to be determined.

Figs contain a good deal of potassium and this mineral is known to help control blood pressure. Consuming high amounts of sodium along with not getting enough potassium may contribute to high blood pressure. Replacing just once snack a day with figs can help to reduce sodium intake and increase your potassium intake.

Your Weight

Figs contain good amounts of dietary fiber and fiber may help you manage your weight. One study showed that increasing fiber via supplementation significantly reduced energy intake in women.

Diabetes Management

In terms of diabetes management, you would use the leaves of the fig tree. They are purported to decrease how much insulin your body needs and to have anti-diabetic properties.

Nutrients

Figs contain vitamin C. This vitamin is important for many things including a healthy immune system.

Figs also contain the trace mineral manganese. You may not be familiar with this vital trace mineral because it is not as commonly talked about as vitamin C or potassium. It is important for normal blood sugar levels, optimal thyroid gland function, healthy nerve function, synthesizing cholesterol and fatty acids, strong bones and several other things.

If you need more manganese, you have experience nausea, high blood sugar levels, loss of hair color, low cholesterol levels, hearing loss, vomiting, skin rash, excessive bone loss, dizziness and reproductive system difficulties.

An adult should be getting 11 milligrams of this trace mineral per day per the tolerable upper uptake level recommendations. In addition to figs, you can also get this trace mineral from mustard greens, chard, pineapple, collard greens, kale, raspberries, romaine lettuce and maple syrup.

Resources

WHFoods: Figs