10 Surprising Anjeer Benefits: Are Dry Figs Veg or Non-Veg?

Ashu’s Dilemma

Hi Guys! I am Ashu & I am back with a dilemma about the Anjeer dry fig called in English.

My mother had a habit of soaking Anjeer or dry fig overnight so that we could take it in the morning. As per her knowledge, overnight-soaked is a great food to be eaten in the morning with an empty stomach.

But recently, one of her friends informed her that she should refrain from consuming anjeer because as per certain studies, it is non-vegetarian in nature.

Initially, my mother was surprised but she was later convinced about it. Since that day, she has avoided adding anjeer or dry figs to our grocery list.

In my list of favourite dry fruits, anjeer is at the top. So, I want to know if figs are veg or non-veg. Along with that I also want complete detail about the Anjeer benefits. I can only get that information on Know Ur Diet. So let us see what I get there:

What is Anjeer/Dry Fig?

Dry figs, commonly known in India as Anjeer, are considered an integral part of Indian cuisine. They are categorised as dry fruit because the dried form of fig fruit is widely available in the market. However, figs are not a fruit at all. They are collections of micro-sized flowers in a pod structure.

Figs are edible fruits from a flowering plant native to the Mediterranean & Middle East regions. As per studies, figs were first cultivated by humans during 9400 BC, making it one of the oldest cultivated fruits.

Figs are considered a symbol of prosperity & health in various ancient civilisations including Egyptian & Greek. Not only that, Abrahamic faiths like Islam & Christianity also consider Anjeer or dry figs as an important part of the human diet.

Anjeer Nutrition Value

So, let us talk about Anjeer calories & nutritional value of the dry figs. Here we will take a quantity of 100 grams of Anjeer to get a better understanding:

Source: US Department of Agriculture

Anjeer Benefits

For centuries, Anjeer has been considered a cure for multiple health issues in Indian & Chinese traditional medicines. So let us discuss some of these Anjeer benefits below:

Rich in Antioxidants

One of the major reasons why you should opt for consuming Anjeer is that it contains a lot of antioxidants. It is packed with polyphenols & flavonoids both antioxidants are vital to eliminate the impact of free radicals on cells.

Oxidative stress from free radicals is responsible for alleviating chronic diseases. Antioxidants from dry figs can help you to prevent diseases like cancer & organ failure.

Anti-inflammatory Properties

Anjeer should be part of your diet because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Bioactive compounds in dry figs can pacify the inflammation impacts on vital organs. Polyphenols in Anjeer are effective in protecting organs from external compounds.

Good for Digestion

If you regularly face the problem of constipation & bloating then you should consume 1-2 Anjeer daily. Even, doctors suggest patients to eat Dry figs because of their high content of dietary fibers.

These dietary fibers support the smooth movement of stool & stimulate the growth of good bacteria in the gut. Due to these reasons, Anjeer is also called a natural laxative.  

Regulates Blood Sugar

Nutritionists have always recommended Anjeer for those who are suffering from Type-2 diabetes or who have a family history of blood sugar-related diseases. This is because of the high quantity of dietary fibers in it that helps in regulating blood sugar levels.

Moreover, dry figs contain Potassium, a mineral that is known to control sudden sugar spikes in the blood by regulating glucose levels.

Heart Friendly

Due to the constant rise in obesity worldwide, people now have more risk of heart disease than before. Adding Anjeer to your diet can help in minimising that risk because of the presence of certain bioactive compounds & minerals that are considered essential for maintaining a healthy heart.

One such mineral is Potassium which is responsible for removing excessive sodium from the body & regulating blood pressure. Similarly, Magnesium in Anjeer helps to regulate the normal heart rhythm, lowering the chances of heart attack.

Supports Stronger Bones                 

As we know, calcium plays a crucial role in maintaining the strength of bones, Anjeer is a great source of calcium. Not only calcium, even Iron in the dry figs is helpful to stimulate the production of collagen, a component required for bone structure.

Studies have found the positive impact of Anjeer on Arthritis. It can also help in avoiding osteoporosis because it has minerals like calcium & magnesium in it. 

Boosts Immunity

We cannot complete our list of Anjeer benefits without including how it helps in boosting immunity against multiple illnesses. Consuming dry figs during winter is especially beneficial in preventing respiratory diseases like cold & coughing.

Even in Indian traditions, consuming Anjeer juice is considered a great food to reduce congestion & mucus formation in the chest & respiratory tract.

Improves Sexual Health

For centuries, Anjeer or dry figs have been used as medicines to cure sexual or reproductive issues.  It is especially helpful in dealing with problems like fertility & erectile dysfunction that are becoming prominent among urban dwellers.

Nutrients like Vitamin B6, Potassium & Magnesium play an essential role in promoting semen production. Anjeer is also effective in pacifying the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome which is common among adolescent girls.

Aids Mental Wellbeing

There is strong evidence that Anjeer is a food that protects brain cells and strengthens mental well-being. Due to its anti-inflammation properties, Anjeer can help against neuroinflammation & neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Along with this, Anjeer is effective against insomnia, a health condition where the person is unable to get complete sleep. Compounds like Tryptophan stimulate blood circulation in the mind & promote sound sleep.       

Cures Urinary Disorder

Another addition to the list of Anjeer benefits is its positive impact on the urinary system. Dry figs contain compounds that can alleviate any inflammation in the bladder. Anjeer juice is also a great substitute for other beverages like coffee which is responsible for irritating the urinary tract.

Moreover, Anjeer is traditionally used as a cure for urinary infections & stones in the bladder because it contains minerals like potassium & magnesium that are helpful in dissolving stones.

Are Anjeer or Dry Figs Veg or Non-Veg

There is a heated debate among vegans about whether they include Dry figs in their diet or not. The question arises when we see the complex process of pollination in fig plants. As per studies, during the pollination of fig fruit, a female wasp enters it through a narrow opening in the process it loses its wings.

Inside the fruit, it lays eggs & dies there. Enzymes inside the female wasp dissolve its body providing vital nutrients to the young ones of the wasp. When the males & females mature, they mate inside the fruit. While females escape after mating, males have the same fate as their mother, dying inside the fruit.    

It’s a natural process and does not include any intentional killing or violence. This is a beautiful correlation between plants & animals. But then also, religions that are based on excluding animal foods such as Jainism & Buddhism avoid Anjeer & prohibit its inclusion in any meal.

Soaked Anjeer Benefits

There is no doubt that eating dried figs is beneficial for health in numerous ways but consuming soaked Anjeer is a much healthier option.

You can soak Anjeer in the water or dairy milk & leave it overnight. In the morning consume it before any meal or breakfast. There are certain benefits of it as well:

Provides Hydration

When you soak Anjeer overnight in water then it helps you to hydrate your body. This prevents you from having constipation & other gut-related problems.

Enhances Nutritional Value

When you soak Anjeer in milk then it enhances its nutritional content. You can get more Calcium, Vitamins & other nutrients compared to what you get from dried form.

Uses of Anjeer

Due to its importance in various cultures, Anjeer is used in multiple ways that range from dessert-making to processing jams. Here are some culinary uses of it:

Snacking– You can consume Anjeer as a snack either in dried form or after overnight-soaking it.

Desserts– You can add Anjeer in multiple desserts like Kheer (Indian Pudding), Halwa, Cakes & many more.

Smoothies– If you are a health enthusiast & consider having a smoothie as a post-workout meal then adding dry figs into a smoothie makes it healthier & more nutritious.

Salads– Add some Anjeer in salad, so that it can help you in weight management.

Read more: 10 Best Options for Pre-Workout Foods to lose Weight

Anjeer Side Effects

Although Anjeer has multiple health benefits, overeating can aggravate certain side effects. Some of these are:

Digestion Problem

Anjeer heals digestion issues but at the same time, over-consumption of it can put you at risk of having gut-related problems like diarrhea, bloating & even nausea.

Kidney Issues

Anjeer contains oxalates that can be dangerous for kidney failure patients & those who are suffering from other kidney-related disorders. Potassium in dry figs can also aggravate kidney problems.

Medication Interference

If you are a person who is already taking medication for type-2 diabetes & blood pressure, then you should be cautious with Anjeer. Due to the presence of Potassium & Magnesium, it can interfere in the medication.     

Conclusion 

So, in the end, we can say that there are several health benefits to eating Anjeer. There are multiple uses of Anjeer to include it in the diet such as in the form of dessert, salad or smoothie.

Debate about the nature of Anjeer is still complex but its pollination is a great example of plant & animal relations for coexistence.

However, overeating Anjeer can cause health risks like diarrhea, kidney issues and can even lead to medication interference.