Benefits of dried figs (pumpkin) and the best time to eat them

Dried figs have many benefits, as they are considered a fruit rich in many nutrients that enhance general health and help in particular in gaining weight when eaten at certain times and within a balanced diet. Through the "Dalili Medical" website, we review the benefits of dried figs and the best times to eat them.

**What are dried figs (Qatin)?**

Dried figs, also known as Qattin, are the form resulting from drying figs. Figs can be easily dried either by leaving them in the air and sun, or by using sulfur oxide after dividing the fruit in half, which turns them into dried figs.

**How ​​can you prepare dried figs with olive oil at home?**

You can cut a dried fig into small pieces, then put it in a large jar containing extra virgin olive oil. The jar is tightly closed to prevent air and moisture from entering, and the mixture is left for at least 35 days until it is ready to use.

**Do dried figs help treat constipation?**

Yes, dried figs contain a group of dietary fibers that promote bowel movements and help facilitate the process of defecation.

**How ​​many tablespoons of dried figs and olive oil should you eat daily?**

A tablespoon of olive oil with figs is enough to meet a person's daily needs of sugars, fiber and vitamins.

**Calories in some common dried fig dishes**

Calories vary in dishes that contain dried figs. Here are some recipes that include dried figs and the number of calories in each:

**Recipes that contain dried figs:**

1. **Spanish Almond and Fig Ball:** It consists of a tablespoon of whole roasted almonds, a third of a cup of dried figs, one piece of dried apricots and dried cranberries, in addition to two teaspoons of sesame seeds with a little honey and garlic. This recipe contains 306 calories.

2. **Fig and Goat Cheese Salad:** It includes two cups of green salad, four dried figs, two tablespoons of goat cheese, 1.5 tablespoons of toasted almond slices, two teaspoons of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, with half a teaspoon of honey. This salad contains 340 calories.

3. **Dried Fig Breakfast:** It consists of a cup of skim milk, two dried figs, and a third of a cup of oats, and contains 163 calories.

**Benefits of dried figs (pumpkin):**

- **Rich in vitamins and minerals:** Dried figs contain a group of vitamins B1, B2, and B5, which contribute to energy production in the body. Vitamin B5 also helps in the formation of antibodies to fight infections, and supports the health of the digestive system. In addition, figs contain manganese and vitamin K, which are necessary for blood clotting, and calcium, which strengthens bones and teeth.

- **Control blood pressure:** Thanks to its high levels of potassium, dried figs can help lower high blood pressure, as potassium helps maintain the balance of salts in the body, especially when consuming large amounts of sodium.

- **Maintain digestive health:** Dried figs are rich in fiber and nutrients that support beneficial bacteria in the intestines, which enhances digestive health.

- **Maintain bone density:** Dried figs contain important nutrients such as potassium and calcium, which play a role in strengthening bones and maintaining their density. As you age, the body may lose some elements from the bones, leading to their weakness. Eating dried figs can help slow down these processes.

- **A good source of iron:** The body needs iron to transport oxygen efficiently. Iron deficiency can lead to low oxygen levels and a feeling of fatigue. Dried figs provide a good amount of iron, as half a cup of it contains 1.5 milligrams of iron.

**Rich in antioxidants**

Dried figs are a dried fruit rich in antioxidants, which are compounds that help reduce damage caused by free radicals and may play a role in preventing some diseases.

**Beneficial for diabetics**

The fibers in dried figs help regulate the secretion of glucose and insulin in the body. It also has properties that help lower blood glucose levels and promote liver health. However, due to its high sugar content, diabetics should be careful not to overeat it.

**Cancer prevention**

Due to its high content of antioxidants, dried figs may have anti-cancer properties. Many scientific studies have been conducted to prove this benefit, but most of them are still in the laboratory research stage, which calls for the need for more clinical studies on humans. One of the types of cancer that dried figs may benefit from is breast cancer.

**Benefits of dried figs for sex**

Dried figs can be beneficial for sexual health, as they contain a high percentage of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, which give the body energy and enhance stamina. One of the potential benefits of dried figs in this context is its ability to treat erectile dysfunction and increase stamina during sexual intercourse. To obtain these benefits, it is preferable to eat dried figs soaked in milk overnight.

**Benefits of dried figs for pregnant women**

Pregnant women are looking for nutrients that support their health and the health of their fetus, as this stage is critical for fetal development. Eating dried figs is an effective way to support the healthy growth of the fetus, as it contains folic acid, which plays an important role in preventing birth defects. Pregnant women should study the benefits and harms of dried figs before eating them to avoid any potential problems.

**Control cholesterol levels**

ASeveral studies have shown that the high amount of fiber in dried figs helps reduce the levels of cholesterol accumulated in the blood vessels. Therefore, eating dried figs regularly as part of a balanced diet may help prevent heart disease and the accumulation of fat in the blood vessels.

**Maintaining cardiovascular health**

The potential benefits of dried figs also include reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks and strokes. It helps lower blood pressure thanks to its good potassium content, and it also contributes to improving blood cholesterol levels thanks to the dietary fiber it contains.

**Enhancing memory and brain health**

Dried figs contain a group of antioxidant compounds that reduce the harmful effect of free radicals on body tissues, including brain cells and nerves. Among these compounds are:

- Flavonoids

- Quercetin

- Ferulic acid

- Anthocyanins

Dried figs contain copper, which enhances the activity of a group of enzymes necessary to maintain brain and nerve health. Among the potential benefits of dried figs on the brain and nerves:

- Improving memory

- Delaying the formation of plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease

- Preventing neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease

**Benefits of dried figs in the diet**

Eating dried figs can contribute to weight loss, thanks to their dietary fiber content that promotes a feeling of fullness and reduces hunger, leading to a reduction in the amount of food consumed. Dried figs are also free of added sugars, making them a healthy choice instead of sweets, chocolate, and other foods rich in sugar.

However, dried figs should be consumed in moderation, as they contain a percentage of sugar and are rich in calories, which can lead to weight gain if consumed in large quantities.

**Skin care and improving its appearance**

Dried figs are characterized by their high content of antioxidants, vitamin E, and vitamin A, which are important nutrients.

These elements help give the skin a healthy appearance and improve its elasticity, and they also act as antioxidants that protect against the harmful effects of free radicals, reducing the chances of signs of aging such as wrinkles.

In addition, the high antioxidant content in dried figs makes them an important element in protecting against diseases caused by free radicals, such as rheumatoid arthritis and heart disease.

**Benefits of dried figs with olive oil and garlic**

There are many benefits to soaking figs and garlic in olive oil for at least a week, as a teaspoon of this mixture works to:

**Regulate blood pressure**

Many people suffer from chronic high blood pressure, so eating a spoonful of the mixture daily can contribute to improving blood pressure levels throughout the day. It also has a significant effect in regulating cholesterol levels in the body.

**Protection against cancer**

This mixture helps reduce the growth of cancer cells in the body, and works to prevent serious immune diseases, as it provides the body with a group of vitamins and antioxidants.

**Improving respiratory health**

The mixture consists of a rich group of nutrients that contribute to reducing bronchial inflammation and help expel accumulated phlegm. In addition, it contributes to relieving the symptoms of severe colds.

**Benefits of dried figs with olive oil for joints**

The mixture of dried figs with olive oil is very effective in promoting bone health, as it contains abundant amounts of calcium that contribute to increasing bone density. It is also rich in minerals such as iron and copper, which significantly support bone health. Many studies have shown the ability of this mixture to relieve joint pain and treat associated inflammation.

**Benefits of dried figs with olive oil for the stomach**

This mixture is considered an effective natural treatment for stomach problems, as it shows great ability to treat many disorders. Among its most prominent benefits are:

- This mixture promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the body, which helps combat harmful bacteria that may affect the stomach.

- Reduces recurring cases of indigestion, which contributes to preventing esophageal reflux and nausea.

- The fiber in figs helps improve bowel movement and treat constipation problems.

**Benefits of dried figs with olive oil for the colon**

After soaking dried figs in olive oil for several days, you have an ideal mixture for treating colon diseases, as it works to:

- Protect the colon from cancer thanks to its containing a group of antioxidants that prevent the formation of cancer cells or tumors.

- Dietary fiber plays an important role in preventing colon spasms and inflammation of its wall.

- It helps people who suffer from chronic inflammation of irritable bowel syndrome, as a spoonful of the mixture can relieve pain and spasms.

- It stimulates bowel movement and treats digestive disorders, and also contributes to improving excretion and ridding the body of toxins.

**Benefits of dried figs for sex with honey**

Dried figs, which are dried after harvesting, are considered a fruit rich in nutrients. When combined with honey, its nutritional value increases significantly, and its most prominent benefits in enhancing sexual health in men and women are:

- The combination of dried figs with honey is considered one of the best options that enhance fertility, as they contain important nutrients such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, and zinc, which support the production of sex hormones such as estrogen and androgen.

This combination contributes to enhancing erection, which prolongs the duration of sexual intercourse, and also plays a role in treating infertility problems in men and women. Among the prominent benefits of dried figs areHoney is a prevention of diseases affecting the reproductive system.

**Dangers of dried figs**

**Calories in dried figs**

Despite the many benefits of dried figs, it should be noted that eating large amounts of it on an empty stomach may lead to a sudden rise in blood sugar levels, especially for people with health conditions such as diabetes. Therefore, it is preferable to consume it in moderation and balance within a healthy diet. Dried figs can also cause allergies in some individuals who are allergic to figs, berries, or natural rubber. In addition, it may lead to some digestive disorders due to its high fiber content.

The calories in dried figs vary depending on the size of the fruit and its nutritional composition. In general, it is estimated that 100 grams of dried figs contain about 250-300 calories, and this value may vary depending on the amount consumed and the method of preparation.

**Dishes and juices that can be prepared from dried figs**

A variety of delicious and nutritious dishes can be prepared using dried figs, especially during the month of Ramadan. The most prominent of these dishes are:

- **Healthy dried fig jam**: It is usually prepared from water and sugar with the addition of a group of nuts.

- **Dried fig pudding**: It is prepared using liquid milk, sugar, vanilla and starch.

- **Dried fig juice**: It is characterized by its delicious taste and health benefits.

- **Dried apricot and fig juice (Khashaf)**.

- **Arugula salad with dried fruits**.

- **Sugar-free fig and dried fruit cake**.

- **Dried fig smoothie with walnuts and milk**.

- **Dried fig soak with olive oil**.

This combination contributes to enhancing sexual desire in both sexes, as figs help produce amino acids that increase the level of nitric oxide, which leads to the expansion of blood vessels and increased blood flow to all parts of the body, including the genitals.

Dried figs with honey also contain a high percentage of sugars that nourish sperm in men. In addition, eating dried figs with honey regularly and in appropriate quantities can contribute to increasing sexual desire by improving body activity

**Methods for storing dried figs:**

1. It is important to follow appropriate storage methods for dried figs to protect them from the effects of weather factors, as they can be kept at room temperature for up to a month.

2. If you want to store them for a longer period, it is preferable to put them in a plastic bag inside the refrigerator.

3. The shelf life of dried figs ranges between 6 months and a year.

4. When stored properly, the benefits of dried figs will remain preserved, with the need to pay attention to potential harms.