Fresh figs are rich in nutrients while being relatively low in calories, making them a great addition to a healthy diet. More information
SUBSCRIBE
NUTRITION
All You Need to Know About Figs
Written by SaVanna Shoemaker, MS, RDN, LD on June 3, 2020 — Medically reviewed by Katherine Marengo LDN, R.D.
Nutrition
Benefits
Downsides
Dietary uses
Bottom line
Figs are a unique fruit resembling a teardrop. They’re about the size of your thumb, filled with hundreds of tiny seeds, and have an edible purple or green peel. The flesh of the fruit is pink and has a mild, sweet taste. The scientific name for the fig is Ficus carica.
Figs — and their leaves — are packed with nutrients and offer a variety of potential health benefits. They may promote healthy digestion, decrease your risk of heart disease, and help you manage your blood sugar levels.
This article reviews figs, including their nutrition, benefits, and downsides, as well as how to add them to your diet.
Fig nutrition
Fresh figs are rich in nutrients while being relatively low in calories, making them a great addition to a healthy diet.
One small (40-gram) fresh fig contains (1Trusted Source):
Calories: 30
Protein: 0 grams
Fat: 0 grams
Carbs: 8 grams
Fiber: 1 gram
Copper: 3% of the Daily Value (DV)
Magnesium: 2% of the DV
Potassium: 2% of the DV
Riboflavin: 2% of the DV
Thiamine: 2% of the DV
Vitamin B6: 3% of the DV
Vitamin K: 2% of the DV
Fresh figs contain some calories from natural sugar, but having a few figs is a reasonable, low calorie snack or addition to a meal.
On the other hand, dried figs are high in sugar and rich in calories, as the sugar becomes concentrated when the fruits are dried.
Figs also contain small amounts of a wide variety of nutrients, but they’re particularly rich in copper and vitamin B6.
Copper is a vital mineral that’s involved in several bodily processes, including metabolism and energy production, as well as the formation of blood cells, connective tissues, and neurotransmitters.