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Health Benefits of Anjeer (Fig): Dry Fruit Anjeer Uses & Side-effects

Anjeer – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

From taking care of your bones and heart to promoting weight loss, dry figs are a blessing in disguise. Read on to find out how.

Overview

Also known as Anjeer in Hindi, dry figs are scientifically proven to have a considerable amount of fibers, polyphenols, and antioxidants, along with a number of other essential nutrients.

Fleshy and mildly sweet, Anjeer is a unique fruit with a soft and juicy interior. With a resemblance to a teardrop, these thumb-sized fruits come with an edible green or purple peel with pink flesh.

However, dry figs are nothing like fresh figs and tend to be sweeter and chewier. Nutritious and loaded with taste, dry figs provide a variety of health benefits.

Dry anjeer benefits our body by promoting healthy digestion, lowering heart disease risks, and helping regulate our sugar levels.

Come let’s take a look at some anjeer benefits on our health along with their side effects and uses.

Health Benefits of Dry Figs

Before learning their health benefits, let’s take a look at the nutrition facts for every 30 grams of dry figs. In a serving of 30 grams of Anjeer or dry figs, you will find about 68 kcal with 1.1 grams of protein. Dry figs also contain 15.9 grams of carbohydrate along with 0.5 grams of fat.

Anjeer benefits us with its mineral contents like calcium (75 mg), iron (1.26 mg), magnesium (24 mg), and potassium (291 mg).

Dry figs are highly nutritious and can help with constipation, with a total of 3.0 grams of fibre in every ½ cup of dry figs. Besides helping achieve healthier bowel movements, high fibre also helps lower cholesterol levels. Anjeer benefits us as a laxative to help cleanse out the gut simply by soaking the figs overnight and consuming them the next day. The laxative properties have also been proven to help treat piles. Figs can also help clear out bronchial tubes and treat respiratory problems like bronchitis.

Anjeer benefits us with its high potassium content, making them extremely helpful in controlling blood pressure and improving heart health, and although they are a great source of energy because of their high sugar and carbs content, dry figs should be eaten in moderation if you are targeting a calorie-deficit diet. Figs contain the antioxidant called ‘phenol’ as well as fibre, which togetherly work to eliminate free radicals that would otherwise trigger the development of heart disease and damage blood vessels. Dry figs also contain calcium which helps a lot in the strengthening of bones and fighting against orthopaedic problems like arthritis.

Dry Figs Side Effects

Although extremely healthy, dried figs, too, just like anything else, can have side effects if not consumed in moderation. The first and most common side effect includes digestive issues caused by high amounts of fibre in them.

Figs have also been found to have constituents like furocoumarins which pose a risk of bleeding while taken with certain medications like anti-platelet drugs or blood thinners and can interrupt the treatment.

Figs have also caused allergies in some people. If someone is especially allergic to birch pollen, they are highly vulnerable to developing a fig allergy. Even the latex found in the fig trees has been said to cause allergic reactions.

Because of their higher amounts of carbs and sugars, people with diabetes are recommended not to consume dry figs. However, moderate consumption combined with a balanced diet might not be as harmful.

Uses of Anjeer

Dry Anjeer is a widely popular dry fruit in India and is used in a variety of culinary practices across the subcontinent.

One of the most popular uses of dry figs is Anjeer Halwa. It is made out of fig puree, almonds, milk, purified butter, and a little bit of added sugar.

Dry fig can also be enjoyed as a milkshake, and since this dry fruit is already sweet, your milkshake would not need any added sugar. You can also use dry figs as a sweetener for other sweet recipes like oatmeal making your sugar intake nutritious.

However, to get the most out of dry fig, it is best when consumed after being soaked in water overnight. Throw out the water the next day and eat the dry fig on an empty stomach to get the best results.

Conclusion

Dry Anjeer, or dry fig, is one of the most nutritious dry fruits out there with a wide range of benefits. Anjeer benefits have proven to have helped in maintaining a healthy gut and also fighting constipation. Anjeer benefits also include regulating blood pressure, maintaining healthy respiratory health, and fighting orthopaedic problems. All these benefits can be achieved with just two steps- soak 2-3 figs overnight and consume the next day.

FAQs

Who should not take Anjeer?

Although Anjeer is considered extremely healthy, it might not be the best friend for people who are sensitive to mulberry, latex, or weeping fig and might end up experiencing severe allergic reactions.