Why figs are fantastic for us

Figs are good for relieving constipation, lowering cholesterol, lowering blood pressure, weight loss, preventing osteoporosis and heart disease, promoting tanning, and they are a good source of prebiotics. Figs are high in calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and iron.

Natural remedies and prevention with figs

Figs are high in fiber and are therefore an excellent laxative, so good in fact, you have to be careful not to eat too many. They are also a good source of prebiotics, which provide support for the gut's good bacteria.
Figs and fig juice are highly alkaline and therefore can help balance the body's pH levels, and they are full of antioxidants that help prevent damage from free radicals. They are also a good source of psoralens, a compound that is used to treat skin disorders such as psoriasis, eczema, and vitiligo.

Due to their high potassium content, figs are believed to be useful in prevention of high blood pressure and heart disease. Their combination of potassium and calcium help prevent osteoporosis.

Figs have long been believed to be both an aphrodisiac and a means to aid in male sexual stamina and enjoyment.

Tree sap from the fig tree is used to treat ringworm, warts, insect bites and skin irritations.

Raw or cooked

Figs are picked ripe from the tree. Due to the fact that dried figs are so popular and are available year round, many of us have never tasted a raw fig. Raw figs are quite delicious, though unusual in both texture and taste. The taste of a raw fig is milder, more subtle, than dried figs or cooked figs.
Both raw and dried figs are often used in baking. Figs add moistness and extend freshness in baked goods.

Dried figs can be eaten plain, used for cooking/baking baking in dry form or used for cooking by being reconstituted into a paste or pudding.

Fruit agriculture

Although figs originate on the other side of the Atlantic, we don't have to worry about their carbon footprint. The U.S. is ranked 3rd in the world for production of dried figs with an annual volume of 11,000 tons, and California grows 98% of the fresh figs sold in the U.S.
There are many varieties of figs and several commercial varieties.

Organic vs. conventional figs

Figs, both raw and dried, can be found organic or conventional. 

Things you didn't know about figs

You know how tomatoes aren't vegetables; they are scientifically classified as a fruit? Well, figs aren't really a fruit, but they aren't a vegetable, either. They are actually the flower of the plant, while their seeds are technically the fruit.

Figs are one of the oldest known cultivated foods.

How to store figs so they last longer

Figs are picked ripe and have a very short shelf life. Most sites say they will last 2-3 days, but they may last 5-7 if very fresh. Do not wash them until use. Bag them and refrigerate. You can also bag them and freeze them for up to 6 months.

Dried figs should be stored in a cool, dry place or in the refrigerator. Their shelf life is 6 months.

How to Pick Good Fruits

Choose clean, sweet-smelling, fruit that yields to a light touch. Do not buy mushy or split fruit. Scarring on the skin is okay; scars are the result of leaves brushing against the skin.
http://www.naturalnews.com/046872_figs_potassium_fiber.html

The Amazing Benefits of Hemp Seeds (Infographic)

Hemp seeds are one of the most nutritionally complete foods in the world. This infographic explains why and what it is good for…


http://tv.greenmedinfo.com/amazing-benefits-hemp-seeds-infographic/

How One Vitamin Can Kill You If You Don’t Get Enough

Vitamins and minerals play a crucial role in the correct functioning of our bodies, and if there is one vitamin that is at least as important as vitamin C, it is certainly vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin that is vital for the absorption of other minerals like phosphorus and calcium into our bones, as well as for strengthening the immune system. Any change in vitamin levels can have a tremendous impact on our health in the long run.

As essential as it is for our bodies, many of us have been neglecting vitamin D, and a recent study has revealed that low blood levels of vitamin D can lead to premature death. Previous studies have revealed that people who have low levels of vitamin D are at higher risk of developing heart disease, bone disease or different types of cancer. This new study was conducted at the University of California, and it strongly connects vitamin D deficiency with premature death, given the important role it plays in the health of the bones and for the strength of our immune system.

Throughout the years, there have been several conclusive studies surrounding vitamin D and how low levels of this vitamin could eventually wreak havoc on our health, and one study even showed that a vitamin D deficiency can lead to brain damage and increase the risk for preeclampsia among pregnant women. The latest study has revealed that people who have low levels of vitamin D are up to two times more likely to develop one of the diseases mentioned above and to die prematurely. The research was based on 32 other studies, all on the topics of mortality rates and blood levels of Vitamin D.

In other words, this new research encompasses many smaller studies that have been conducted in 14 countries, on more than half a million participants, and it is currently regarded as one of the most comprehensive studies of its kind. Not only has it indicated a strong correlation between premature death and low vitamin D levels, but it has also reassured the medical community that vitamin D is safe when taken in the recommended daily dose, and that dose is not exceeded.

http://www.lifespan.com/one-vitamin-can-kill/