Nutritional Benefits Of Figs
Figs are well known for their mild laxative effect, so care
should be exercised when consuming fig juice. Try a small
quantity at first, prepared from two or three fresh figs. The
laxative prepared from the more concentrated, dried figs alone
is so mild that it is suitable for children, so the action of
the fresh fruit should cause you no alarm. However the term,
syrup of figs, is often used to describe "Compound Syrup of
Figs", this stronger laxative has added senna, rhubarb and
cascara extract to make it much stronger.
Fig juice is also recognized for its soothing effect on
irritated bronchia: passages. This demulcent action is soothing
to the inflamed mucous membranes that produce catarrh during a
cold. Fresh figs are a poor source of vitamin C, but they are a
better source of vitamin B6 than most other fruits. Figs contain
110 mg of vitamin B6 per 100g.
Figs played an important part in the diet of both the ancient
Greeks and Romans. The ancient Greeks fed large quantities to
their athletes, the Spartans, in the belief that the fruit
encouraged strength and swiftness. The Roman's fed fresh figs to
their slaves, particularly the agricultural workers, but dried
figs were also widely consumed.