Forget about apple - Mithradates the Great of Pontus (born in 134 B.C.) is credited with ordering his citizens to eat at least one fig per day to ward off diseases. This pronouncement has held more than its weight in truth in the centuries since.

In India, dry fruits are a popular choice when it comes to daily munchies. The chewy flesh with natural sweet flavour is not only a treat to bite into but also provides you nutrition. Be it raisins, dates, dehydrated mangoes and berries, there are plenty of options to choose from and mix match with other health boosters like nuts and seeds for a guilt-free treat. Of these, the one dry fruit that stands out for its incredible health benefiting properties is Anjeer or fig.

Healthy and versatile ingredient in Anjeer

• Anjeer is full of nutrients and a great source of dietary fibre, natural sugars.
• Full of vitamins A, B6, C, E, K.
• Essential minerals including potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron and copper.
• The pre-dominant bioactive compounds in Anjeer like phenolic compounds, phytosterols, anthocyanins, contribute to antioxidant activity.
• Fatty acids like, omega-3, and omega-6, that reduce the risk of coronary heart diseases.

Health and wellness with Anjeer

• The high mucilage content in figs helps to heal and protect sore throats. The soothing nature of figs and their natural juices can relieve pain and stress on the vocal chords. Figs are quite useful in treating various respiratory disorders like whooping cough and asthma.
• Anjeer aids weight loss because of its soothing and laxative properties and low fat and sugar components. 
• The American Diabetes Association recommends figs as a high-fibre treat that helps to promote functional control of diabetes.
• Rich in potassium- which helps to regulate the amount of sugar absorbed by the body after meals. Large amounts of potassium can ensure that blood sugar spikes and falls are less frequent, so figs can help diabetics live a normal life.
• Figs are high in potassium and low in sodium, so they are a perfect defence against the effects of hypertension.
• Figs are rich in calcium, which is one of the most important components in strengthening bones and reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
• They are also rich in phosphorus, which encourages the bone formation and spurs regrowth if there is any damage or degradation to bones.
• The high potassium content in figs helps to regulate the content of waste in urine.
• The major cause of vision loss among the elderly is macular degeneration consumption of figs helps prevent macular degeneration
• Fruit like figs are good at helping avoid common symptoms of aging as they are rich in flavonoids and polyphenols, which are antioxidants that prevents the damage caused by free radicals.