VIDEO- 5 Amazing Health Benefits of Eating Anjeer

In India, dry fruits are a popular choice when it comes to daily munchies. The chewy flesh with natural sweet flavour is not only a treat to bite into but also provides you nutrition. Be it raisins, dates, dehydrated mangoes and berries, there are plenty of options to choose from and mix match with other health boosters like nuts and seeds for a guilt-free treat.

Of these, the one dry fruit that stands out for its incredible health benefiting properties is anjeer or fig, a member of the mulberry family. The small bell or pear-shaped fruit is commonly available it its dried form throughout the year, but like the saying goes, there’s nothing like having it fresh. The sweet juicy flesh loaded with crunchy seeds is an absolute delight, especially when wine poached or grilled, and drizzled with a little honey on top.

* Weight management

Since figs are a good source of fiber, research has found that they could aid in weight management as high-fiber foods have a positive impact. Fiber forms an essential part of our daily diet. Not only is fiber good for our digestive system, it has also been linked to the reduced risk of cancer and type 2 diabetes. Health experts will tell you that foods with high fiber makes one feel full and satiated for long which is why they easily fit in your weight-loss strategies.

* Helps Prevent Constipation

The high fiber content in figs helps in maintaining a healthy digestive system, thus also aids in preventing constipation. Fibers are essential for maintaining regular bowel movements and food sources such as figs are found to help in easing digestion when consumed regularly.

* Boosts Heart Health

Studies have shown that figs help reduce the level of triglycerides in the body, which are fat particles that circulate in the bloodstream and are a major cause of heart disease. Moreover, the high antioxidant content in dried figs couple with blood pressure lowering properties help in eliminating free radicals from the body, which could lead to the blockage of coronary arteries in the long run, and prevent coronary heart disease

* Promotes Bone Health

Dried figs are a good source of calcium. The human body requires around 1000mg of calcium per day to meet the daily requirement of the mineral. Since calcium isn’t produced by the body, what we eat solely contributes to the body’s requirement. Most often we fail to meet the set requirement despite having milk, which is the highest source of calcium. Therefore it is important to include other food sources of calcium such as figs in our diet.

* Regulates Blood Sugar

The high potassium content in fig helps in regulating the blood sugar level in the body, thus keeping a check on the amount of sugar that is absorbed after meals. A high potassium diet is therefore said to help diabetics. Research studies have also found that chlorogenic acid present in figs helps lower blood sugar levels and control blood-glucose levels in type-II diabetes.