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Figs a species of F. carica, belong to the family Moraceae. It is a deciduous shrub, native to Southeast Asia. The tree can grow to a height of 33 ft and the fruit can be as large as 2.0 inches
Nutritional Supplements
1. Carbohydrates
2. Sugars
3. Fiber
4. Fat
5. Protein
6. Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
7. Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
8. Niacin (Vitamin B3)
9. Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5)
10. Vitamin B6
11. Folate (Vit. B9)
12. Vitamin C
13. Calcium
14. Iron
15. Magnesium
16. Phosphorus
17. Potassium
18. Zinc
19. Etc.
Health Benefits
A. Health benefits according to studies
1. Lipid peroxidation
Cyanidin-3-rhamnoglucoside (C3R) isolated from fig fruits has exerted the inhibited activities of lipid peroxidation from producing peroxy radicals (ROO(*)) and MDA in a dose-dependent manner, according to the study of "Protection of fibroblasts (NIH-3T3) against oxidative damage by cyanidin-3-rhamnoglucoside isolated from fig fruits (Ficus carica L.)" by Solomon A, Golubowicz S, Yablowicz Z, Bergman M, Grossman S, Altman A, Kerem Z, Flaishman MA.(a)
2. Antimicrobial activity
ethyl acetate extracted from Ficus carica had inhibition effect on the multiplication of five bacteria species (Enterococcus fecalis, Citobacter freundei, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Echerchia coli and Proteus mirabilis), according to the study of "In vitro antimicrobial activity of four Ficus carica latex fractions against resistant human pathogens (antimicrobial activity of Ficus carica latex)" by Aref HL, Salah KB, Chaumont JP, Fekih A, Aouni M, Said K.(b)
3. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity
The leaves of common fig have exerted the proprrty in inhibition the inflammatory conditions like painful or swollen piles, insect sting and bites due to it antioxidant scavengering activities, according to the study of 'Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of Ficus carica Linn. leaves" by Ali B, Mujeeb M, Aeri V, Mir SR, Faiyazuddin M, Shakeel F.(3)
4. Anti-insects
5-methoxypsoralen and 8-methoxypsoralen were isolated from the milky sap of F. carica. of Ficus carica L. have demonstrated a significant toxic effect against early fourth-stage larvae of Aedes aegypti L, according to the study of "Immunotoxicity activity of natural furocoumarins from milky sap of Ficus carica L. against Aedes aegypti L." by Chung IM, Kim SJ, Yeo MA, Park SW, Moon HI.(d)
5. Antioxidant and immunity activity
Crude hot-water soluble polysaccharide (PS) from Ficus carica L has shown the higher scavenging activity than on superoxide radical and hydroxyl anion radical due to the presence of phenolics and flavonoids, according to the study of "Antioxidant and immunity activity of water extract and crude polysaccharide from Ficus carica L. fruit" by Yang XM, Yu W, Ou ZP, Ma HL, Liu WM, Ji XL.(5)
6. Etc.
B. Health Benefits according to concentration
1. Fiber
Fiber helps to treat constipation due to its laxative effect as a result of high amount of fiber which binds the hardening waste in the marge intestine, according to the study of "Fiber (glucomannan) is beneficial in the treatment of childhood constipation" by Loening-Baucke V, Miele E, Staiano A.(1)
2. Potassium
Potaasium beside is important in balance the levels of sodium, but also in regualting the body fuild in the lympatic system, decieciency of potassium may cause fuild retention and lead to membrane rigidity, according to the study of "Retention of water and potassium by erythrocytes prevents calcium-induced membrane rigidity" by Dreher KL, Eaton JW, Kuettner JF, Breslawec KP, Blackshear PL, White JG.(2)
3. Manganese
It is one of important trace in preventing osteroposis, according to the study of "[Study of estrogen deficiency impact on manganese levels in teeth and mandible of rats after ovariectomy]. [Article in Polish]" by Rahnama M, Błoniarz J, Zareba S, Swiatkowski W.(3)and regulating blood sugar level, according to the study of "[An inadequate intake of manganese may favour insulin resistance in girls]. [Article in Spanish]" by Rodríguez-Rodríguez E, Bermejo LM, López-Sobaler AM, Ortega RM.(4)
4. Etc.
C. Other Health Benefits
1. Breast Cancers
It also prevents cancers due to high amount of flavonoid by enhancing the the immune system in fighting against the improper cells division and DNA replication, according to the study of "The flavonoid luteolin induces apoptotic cell death through AIF nuclear translocation mediated by activation of ERK and p38 in human breast cancer cell lines" by Kim MJ, Woo JS, Kwon CH, Kim JH, Kim YK, Kim KH.(5)
2. High blood sugar
Common Fig helps to treat diabetes as a result of high amount fiber that helps to release sugar slowly into blood stream with no causing stress of pancreas, according to the study of "Efficacy of high-fiber diets in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus" by Wolfram T, Ismail-Beigi F.(6)
3. Etc.
Side effects
1. High amount of oxalate can cause kidney and bladder health problem for some people and interfere with the absorption of calcium
2. Contact with the plant may cause photocontact dermatitis, according to the study of "Photoallergic contact dermatitis to 8-methoxypsoralen in Ficus carica" by Bonamonte D, Foti C, Lionetti N, Rigano L, Angelini G.(11)
No other known side effect.
Sources
(a) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20443626
(b) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20067867
(c) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21644169
(d) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21214422
(e) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19466553
(1)http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14993586
(2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/356623
(3) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12870295
(4) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22072339
(5) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22073986
(6) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20713332
(7) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20557340
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