How many fruits are mentioned in Quran?
There are several verses in Quran talking about the 6 fruits of Paradise, including; date, olive, pomegranate, grape, banana, and fig.
1. Fig mentioned in Quran
وَالتِّينِ وَالزَّيْتُونِ – التين: 1
[I swear] by the fig and the olive. (Quran, 95:1)
The reference to the fig in the first verse of Surat at-Tin is a wisest one in terms of the benefits imparted by this fruit.
2. History of Figs
Figs can trace their history back to the earliest of times with mentions in the Bible and other ancient writings. They are thought to have been first cultivated in Egypt.
They spread to ancient Crete and then subsequently, around the 9th century BC, to ancient Greece, where they became a staple foodstuff in the traditional diet.
Figs were held in such esteem by the Greeks that they created laws forbidding the export of the best quality figs.
Figs were also revered in ancient Rome where they were thought of as a sacred fruit. During this period of history, at least 29 varieties of figs were already known.
3. Worldwide use of Figs
Fig fruit tree is native to the temperate and climate of Asia Minor or Turkey, and today, it is grown as an important fruit of commerce in the eastern Mediterranean region, the USA, and Spain. However, it is also cultivated as a fruit tree in the home gardens in many other regions as well. During each season, fig bears several hundreds of pear-shaped fruits twice a year, which vary in size and color depending on the variety.
However, it is also cultivated as a fruit tree in the home gardens in many other regions as well. During each season, fig bears several hundreds of pear-shaped fruits twice a year, which vary in size and color depending on the variety.
4. Nutrients in Figs
4.1 Fresh Figs
Fresh figs, especially black mission, are good in poly-phenolic flavonoid antioxidants such as carotenes, lutein, tannins, chlorogenic acid…etc. Their anti-oxidant value is comparable to that of apples at 3200 umol/100 g (Trolex equivalents).
4.2 Dried Figs
Dried figs are an excellent source of minerals, vitamins and anti-oxidants. In fact, dried fruits are higher concentrated sources of energy, minerals and vitamins. 100 g dried figs provide 249 calories.
Dried figs are an excellent source of minerals like calcium, copper, potassium, manganese, iron, selenium and zinc. 100 g of dried figs contains 680 mg of potassium, 162 mg of calcium, and 2.03 mg of iron.
5. Health Benefits of Figs
5.1 Protect against diseases and infections
Fresh figs contain adequate levels of some of the anti-oxidant vitamins such as vitamin A, E, and K. Altogether these phyto-chemical compounds in fig fruit help scavenge harmful oxygen-derived free radicals from the body and thereby protect us from cancers, diabetes, degenerative diseases and infections.
5.2 Controls blood glucose levels
Research studies suggest that chlorogenic acid in them help lower blood sugar levels and control blood-glucose levels in type-II diabetes mellitus condition.
5.3 Good for heart
Potassium found in figs is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure.
6. References
- Hamid Farhangi, Maryam Ajilian,Masumeh Saeidi,Gholam Hasan Khodaei – Medicinal Fruits in Holy Quran
- Cho E, Seddon JM, Rosner B, Willett WC, Hankinson SE. Prospective study of intake of fruits, vegetables, vitamins, and carotenoids and risk of age-related maculopathy. Arch Ophthalmol 2004 Jun;122(6):883-92
- Appel LJ, Moore TJ, Obarzanek E, Vollmer WM, Svetkey LP, Sacks FM, et al. A clinical trial of the effects of dietary patterns on blood pressure. DASH Collaborative Research Group. N Engl J Med 1997;336(16):1117-24.
- Shanahan M, Compton S G, So Samson, Corlett R. Fig-eating by vertebrate frugivores: a global review. Biological Reviews 2001; 76(4): 529–72.
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