With a unique shape reminiscent of a teardrop, these fruits are rich in nutrients and offer a range of potential health benefits, and they’re also good for skin care.

Fresh figs are rich in nutrients while being relatively low in calories, making them an excellent addition to the diet.

One small fresh fig (40 grams) contains:

• Calories: 30
• Protein: 0 g
• Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Sugar: 6.5 g
• Copper: 3% of daily value (DV)
• Magnesium: 2% DV
• Potassium: 2% DV
• Riboflavin (vitamin B2): 2% DV
• Thiamine (vitamin B1): 2% DV
• Vitamin B6: 3% DV
• Vitamin K: 2% DV

Figs are particularly rich in copper and vitamin B6.

Copper is an essential mineral involved in many body processes, including metabolism and energy production, as well as the formation of blood cells, connective tissues, and neurotransmitters.

Vitamin B6 is crucial for breaking down proteins from food and forming new proteins. It also plays an important role in brain health – writes Nova.

Do Figs Contain a Lot of Sugar?

Fresh figs contain natural sugars, making them a sweet alternative to snacks high in added sugars.

However, it’s important to note that dried figs lack the water that fresh figs have, so they are smaller in volume, but the sugar and calorie content remains the same.

For example, 40 g of dried figs contains about 100 calories and 20 g of sugar, while 40 g of fresh figs has 30 calories and 6.5 g of sugar.

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Health Benefits of Figs

Figs Are Good for Digestion

Figs have long been used as a natural remedy for digestive problems and gut health.

They contain fiber, which can regulate bowel movements and relieve constipation by softening stools. Fiber also acts as a prebiotic – food for beneficial gut bacteria.

A 2019 study conducted on 150 people with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) showed that those who consumed about four dried figs (45 g) twice a day had significantly reduced symptoms – including pain, bloating, and constipation – compared to the control group, writes Health Line.

Figs May Improve Heart Health

Figs may improve blood vessel health and reduce the risk of heart disease.

According to a 2023 review, some animal studies have shown that fig leaf extract can improve blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.

However, the authors note that a few studies examining the impact of figs on blood lipids in humans did not find significant benefits. In some cases, figs even slightly increased LDL (bad) cholesterol and fasting blood sugar levels in certain subjects.

More human studies are needed to better understand the relationship between figs and heart health.

Can Fresh Figs Help Regulate Blood Sugar?

Some research suggests that figs may play a role in blood sugar control.

A 2019 study showed that drinks with a high concentration of fig extract had a lower glycemic index (GI) compared to drinks without figs, meaning these drinks might have a more favorable effect on blood sugar levels.

Also, a 2020 study on obese mice found that fig extract could improve glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and fasting blood glucose levels. This may be attributed to the high content of abscisic acid in figs.

However, the fig fruit – especially dried figs – contains a lot of sugar and can temporarily raise blood sugar levels. If you have trouble managing blood sugar, watch how many dried figs you eat.

Do Figs Have Potential Anticancer Properties?

Numerous promising test-tube studies have examined the effects of fig leaves on cancer cells.

Fig leaves and the natural latex from the plant have shown antitumor activity against colon, breast, cervical, and lung cancer cells, among others.

But this doesn’t mean consuming figs or fig leaf tea has the same effects. Test-tube studies are just the beginning, and human studies are needed to determine how figs or fig leaves affect cancer growth.

Figs for Glowing Skin

Figs may also have beneficial effects on the skin.

For example, a 2017 study on 45 children with dermatitis showed that a cream made from dried fig extract, applied twice daily for two weeks, was more effective in relieving dermatitis symptoms than standard hydrocortisone cream.

Also, a 2022 study on 15 subjects showed that drinking fig leaf tea helps relieve eczema symptoms.

Despite these results, it’s important to note that more research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of figs in treating skin conditions. Fig extracts or fig leaf tea can be part of a treatment plan but do not replace medical treatment.

Dark chocolate is the only sweet that cleanses the body, and it’s also good for the brain and heart.

Forget about sugar: “Inca Gold” is becoming the most popular natural sweetener, and for a good reason.
On the other hand, many people praise figs as a natural remedy for beautiful facial skin.

Thanks to their rich content of vitamins, antioxidants, and other beneficial compounds, they can help better hydrate the skin as they’re a good source of water and natural sugars that help keep the skin moisturized.

They’re also helpful in protecting against sun damage because antioxidants in figs, including vitamins A and C, help protect the skin from free radical damage caused by sun exposure and environmental pollution.

Additionally, they can help reduce inflammation as they contain anti-inflammatory compounds that can help soothe irritated skin.

Moreover, the enzymes present in figs promote gentle skin exfoliation, encouraging the growth of new, healthy cells and potentially reducing acne and uneven complexion.

Furthermore, figs can help brighten the complexion since vitamin C in figs may contribute to a lighter skin tone and improved collagen production, leading to a younger and fresher appearance.

Possible Downsides of Figs

Still, figs may have some potential downsides.

For example, since they are sometimes used as a natural remedy for constipation, eating too many figs can cause diarrhea or other digestive problems.

Some people may also be allergic to figs. A 2010 study showed that people allergic to birch pollen may be at a higher risk of developing a fig allergy. The fig tree contains natural latex, which some people are also allergic to.

Figs in the Diet

There are many ways to include figs in your daily diet.

Fresh figs: Low in calories, ideal as a snack, and great as an addition to salads and desserts. They can also be used to make jams, spreads, or sauces.

Dried figs: Most commonly used in sweets and baked desserts.

Fig leaves: Often used as wrappers for dishes with rice, meat, or other fillings – similar to vine leaves.

Fig leaf tea: Made from dried fig leaves. You can make it yourself or buy ready-made teas.

You can enjoy figs in many ways, but due to their high sugar content, dried figs should be consumed in moderation – or used occasionally as a natural remedy for constipation.

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How Many Figs to Eat Daily

The number of figs you should eat daily depends on several factors.

A 2019 study showed that eight dried figs (90 g) per day can help relieve IBS-C symptoms. However, this might be too much for people with diabetes as dried figs have a lot of sugar.

Fewer dried figs or two to three fresh figs, or fig leaf tea, may bring benefits with less sugar intake.

So, fresh figs and fig leaf tea can be good for health, and dried figs for constipation, but they should be consumed in moderation due to their high sugar content.

Ozempic has become synonymous with rapid weight loss and blood sugar control, but scientists are now exploring whether nature offers a similar solution.

Ozempic, a drug that mimics the action of the GLP-1 hormone, could face competition in the form of a gut bacterium.

A new lead in the fight against diabetes and sugar addiction comes from the gut.

Researchers from Jiangnan University in China believe they have discovered a way to naturally regulate blood sugar levels and reduce cravings for sweets – similarly to how Ozempic and related drugs work, reports Science Alert.

The key to this potential therapy lies in the gut microbiota, specifically in one bacterium and the substances it produces during digestion. By increasing the presence of this bacterium in mice with diabetes, scientists managed to stimulate the secretion of the GLP-1 hormone, which naturally regulates blood sugar and feelings of satiety.

This hormone – glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) – is already known to the public as the basis of drugs such as semaglutide, the main active ingredient in Ozempic.

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In people with type 2 diabetes, the function of the GLP-1 hormone is often impaired, making blood sugar control more difficult. That's why GLP-1 analogues, like Ozempic, have become an important tool in treating this disease. Now, however, scientists are looking for ways to stimulate the body to naturally increase the production of this hormone.

“A growing body of research suggests that our eating habits and cravings originate from signals sent by the gut – an organ crucial in shaping dietary preferences,” write the authors of the study published in January.

But which genes, microorganisms, and their substances actually regulate the desire for sugar – this has remained unclear until now.

The new research highlights the bacterium Bacteroides vulgatus as a potentially important player. When mice were genetically prevented from producing the gut protein Ffar4, colonies of this bacterium significantly decreased, which also led to lower levels of the hormone FGF21 – believed to be linked to sugar cravings.

Interestingly, higher levels of FGF21 are also observed when using GLP-1 drugs, and people with a genetic variation of this hormone are more often found to have a stronger preference for sweets.

Blood analysis of 60 people with diabetes and 24 healthy individuals showed that mutations in the Ffar4 gene, which reduce the secretion of FGF21, may be associated with an increased desire for sugar – which could contribute to the development of the disease.

The key to this entire puzzle, it seems, again lies in the gut. When scientists gave mice a metabolite produced by B. vulgatus, there was an increase in the secretion of GLP-1 and then the FGF21 hormone – resulting in better blood sugar regulation and reduced cravings for sweets.

Although this effect has so far been confirmed only in mice, the authors believe they may be on the track to a strategy for preventing diabetes – without the need for medication.

“By activating blocked energy flows in the aura of a being, PEAT brings to awareness and neutralizes contents such as traumas, emotional wounds, stressful situations, fears…”

PEAT is an advanced spiritual development technology, whose name stands for Primary Energy, Activation, and Transformation. This technique enables deep inner change through the process of releasing energetic and emotional blockages that unconsciously limit us - writes the site psychotherapy-online.com.

This method was developed by certified psychologist Živorad Mihajlović Slavinski, who dedicated over 55 years to exploring the soul, human consciousness, and existence. His vast experience includes various forms of meditation, spiritual self-development systems, yoga, Kabbalah, and tarot. Over the decades, Slavinski created numerous methods that help people achieve a deeper understanding of themselves and attain inner harmony. He is the author of 25 books on spiritual technology, which have gained international recognition and helped many on their path of spiritual growth.

PEAT is therefore a powerful tool that allows people to effectively resolve their emotional and psychological issues. Through this process, it is possible to heal stressful situations and traumatic events from the past that still affect our thoughts, emotions, and behavior.

In simple terms, PEAT helps us remove the emotional charge we feel in connection with a particular problem, situation, memory, or experience. When that charge is dissolved, the energy blockages in our field begin to melt away, and our energy returns to balance. This leads to a sense of inner peace, greater energy flow, and the ability to perceive life circumstances with more ease and clarity. PEAT not only frees us from the burdens of the past but also enables us to consciously create our present and future from a place of inner stability and authentic power.

What Can We Use PEAT For?

1. Problems and Overwhelming Emotions

PEAT is extremely useful when we face intense and unpleasant emotional reactions to situations in our lives. These are situations that affect us so deeply that we feel overwhelmed and as if we are losing control over our emotions.

Example: I feel sad because everyone around me has someone, and I just can’t find a partner.

In such cases, PEAT helps reduce the intensity of these emotions, allowing us to observe them from a different level of awareness. When the negative emotion no longer dominates our perception, we gain a clearer insight into the situation and the ability to make decisions from a place of inner stability, not emotional turmoil.

2. Negative Experiences and the Past

PEAT can be used to release pain and unpleasant emotions related to past events that still emotionally burden us. When we think of a certain event from the past and feel discomfort, anger, sadness, or pain, it means that the event still carries an emotional charge that influences our current state.

Example: My ex-partner cheated on me and when I think about it, I feel deep pain.

By using PEAT, we can process and release intense, suppressed emotions connected to that experience. When the emotional charge dissolves, the memory of the event no longer causes pain or suffering, and we can observe it from a more neutral and balanced state of mind. In this way, we free ourselves from the past and prevent it from unconsciously shaping and limiting us in the present.

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3. Goals and Achieving Desires

PEAT is not only used to dissolve negative emotions but also to empower and support the achievement of goals. We often have inner blockages and unconscious resistance towards something we want to accomplish, which can cause fear, insecurity, or self-doubt.

Example: I want to start my own business, but I am afraid of failure.

In such cases, PEAT helps us release fears, insecurities, and limiting inner programs that hold us back. When we release internal blockages, our goals become more attainable because we no longer come from a place of resistance but from inner strength, confidence, and trust in the process.

PEAT enables us to consciously work on ourselves and resolve challenges on a deeper level – whether it’s about current problems, past traumas, or future goals. Through this process, we get the opportunity to release emotional burdens, change how we perceive situations, and create life with more ease, clarity, and inner balance.

What Does a PEAT Session Look Like and How to Prepare?

PEAT sessions can be done both in-person and online, with the procedure being exactly the same. The location does not play a key role because the essence of the process is inner work and a guided conversation with your own consciousness.

One of the most important elements of a successful PEAT session is the relaxation of the person going through the process. They can sit comfortably or lie down, with their eyes closed, while the PEAT processor guides them through the entire procedure. During the session, the processor asks carefully designed questions that guide the person to explore the inner experiences, emotions, and thoughts that arise.

It is important to emphasize that PEAT is not a hypnotic method – there is no loss of consciousness or suggestive guidance. Instead, it is a conscious and present dialogue with your inner world. The more relaxed the person is – both mentally and physically – the easier and more natural the process becomes, enabling deeper insight and faster discovery of key contents of consciousness related to the issue being worked on.

The procedure for an online session is identical to an in-person one, with a few additional recommendations. The person should be in a calm and quiet environment without external distractions, so they can fully focus on the process. Also, using headphones can improve focus and ensure better communication between the processor and the client.

The duration of a PEAT session varies depending on the topic being addressed. While some processes can be completed in just 30 minutes, others, deeper and more complex ones, may require up to 60 minutes. The length of the session also depends on how relaxed and ready the person is at that moment. In any case, the PEAT technique allows for efficient and relatively quick work on inner blockages, providing a feeling of relief, clarity, and inner freedom.

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Benefits of PEAT:

PEAT allows us to feel lighter and more relaxed by helping us neutralize intense emotions and change the way we perceive the problems that caused them. Instead of being trapped in the same patterns of thinking and reacting, we get the chance to look at situations from a new perspective – with more peace, understanding, and inner stability.

Through this process, we can release deeply rooted fears and limiting inner programs that unconsciously guided us through life, preventing us from living it to its fullest potential. PEAT gives us a tool for deeper inner transformation, allowing us to free ourselves from the burdens of the past, emotional wounds, and traumas that still affect our thoughts, feelings, and decisions.

When we release overly intense negative emotions, we become capable of consciously changing our behavior and habits that no longer serve us. Instead of acting from subconscious patterns, we create space for conscious, empowering choices that lead us to greater peace, inner freedom, and a more authentic life.

This spiritual development tool helps us more easily create and manifest what we desire by releasing emotional tension and overly intense negative emotions.

When we are burdened by emotional tension and intense negative emotions, our energy is scattered, and our focus is on what we do not want, instead of on what we want to create.

PEAT allows us to release inner blockages, unconscious limitations, and emotional charges that hold us back. When we let go of these burdens, our vibration changes – we become more aligned with our desires and attract them more easily into our lives. Instead of manifesting from a place of fear, doubt, or inner tension, we start creating from a space of inner ease, trust, and alignment with ourselves.

Through the process of releasing emotional charges, our mind becomes clearer, our emotions more stable, and our ability to consciously choose thoughts and actions stronger. In this way, manifestation becomes a natural and spontaneous part of our life because we no longer act from unconscious limiting patterns but from conscious connection with our inner being and authentic desires.

Oral surgeon Dr. Dušan Ostojić opens the topic of dental phobia to explain how fear can be analyzed and to encourage those struggling with it to visit the dentist.

One of the most common challenges faced by both patients and therapists is the unrealistic expectation that the fear of the dentist will “disappear immediately.” People want a quick solution: one therapy session, a good dentist, a single pill, and for the problem to vanish in an afternoon. But the truth is quite different, writes Stetoskop.info.

Fear of the Dentist Doesn’t Disappear at the Push of a Button – It’s Understood, Broken Down, and Gradually Reduced

Fear built up over years, layer by layer, often since childhood, cannot disappear in a day. Just as a wound on the heart doesn’t heal by ignoring it, deep phobia can’t be overcome without a process. Overcoming the fear of the dentist is a long-term process. It’s important to know what slows it down, what speeds it up, what its unraveling looks like over time, and why patience, consistency, and support matter.

How Does Persistent Fear of the Dentist Develop?

Dental phobia isn’t mere embarrassment or mild discomfort in the waiting room, nor sudden panic at the clinic door. It’s emotional and bodily memory of past experiences, amplified by imagination, shame, false beliefs, and years of avoiding the dentist. The most common causes are:

Negative childhood experience (e.g., painful treatment without explanation).
Experiencing fear through others – e.g., a parent showing fear or disdain for dentists.
Avoidance – the longer you avoid going to the dentist, the bigger the phobia becomes. Avoidance feeds all types of phobias.
Loss of control and humiliation – the feeling that someone “controlled our body” without our consent.
Shame about ugly teeth, bad breath, or generally neglected oral health.
“Fear doesn’t appear suddenly; it builds gradually like a house of cards. Each negative experience adds another layer. Over time, fear is no longer just a rational response to pain but becomes a life pattern,” explains Dr. Ostojić.

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Psychoanalytic Basis of the Fear of Going to the Dentist

In psychoanalysis, fear of the dentist is often seen as a projection of suppressed emotions. The mouth symbolizes:

vulnerability (you can’t speak when something is in your mouth),
control (you can’t fight pain if you’re helpless), and
shame (teeth as proof of “neglect,” “weakness,” “decay”).

For some patients, the dentist becomes an unconscious figure of authority:
a parent who punishes,
a partner who judges,
society that evaluates.

“The fear of the dentist is actually the fear of facing oneself – vulnerable, messy, imperfect. That’s why therapy must go slowly, because we’re not only treating teeth but also the soul that for decades learned to remain silent, endure, and suffer from fear,” explains Dr. Ostojić.

Why Is Overcoming Dental Phobia a Process and Not a Moment?

Because the brain learns through gradual exposure

Our nervous system doesn’t respond to commands (“Don’t be afraid!”) but to experience. You need to repeatedly experience the clinic as a safe place and dental treatment as a pleasant experience so your brain can form a new association – the start of healing.

Because the body remembers more than the mind

A body that trembled in the chair, vomited before entering the clinic, or cried from shame doesn’t forget easily. Repeated corrective experiences are needed.

Because avoidance strengthens fear

Every time you avoid the dentist, the fear grows. The goal of therapy is to learn to stay in the clinic, endure discomfort, and see – together with your brain – that nothing terrible happens.

Because everyone has their own pace

Some progress faster, some slower. The important thing is the direction, not the speed. No one runs a marathon without training.

What Does the Marathon of Overcoming Fear of the Dentist Look Like?

Phase 1: Acknowledgment and information. The patient admits to having a problem. Learns what dental phobia is, reads about it, and seeks support.
Phase 2: First contact with the dentist. Slowly, without pressure. Visiting the clinic only for a conversation. No tools, no procedures. Building trust.
Phase 3: Gradual exposure to dental procedures. Short and painless interventions (tartar cleaning, check-up). Slowly introducing anesthesia, tools, treatment. Breaks, agreed hand signals, dentist’s empathy – all these help greatly.
Phase 4: Consolidation. The patient regularly returns for scheduled treatments and realizes they can go through them without problems. The body learns to breathe calmly, to sit without panic. Fear becomes a silent companion, but no longer the master.
Phase 5: Maintenance and confidence. The patient uses learned skills: breathing, visualization, inner dialogue. Keeps up hygiene, comes preventively at least every three months. Realizes they’re no longer the same – not only because of the teeth but also the attitude toward life.

What Helps in the Marathon?

CBT therapy – the most effective psychotherapy for phobias.
Emotion diary – writing down thoughts and reactions after each step.
Support from an understanding dentist.
Self-rewarding: every step forward deserves praise.
Practicing breathing, relaxation, visualization.
Hearing other patients’ stories – sharing normalizes the journey.

What Slows Progress?

Unrealistic expectations (“I must feel better immediately.”)
Shame (“Only I’m this weak.”)
Excuses (“Not now, maybe next week.”)
Lack of consistency
Wrong dentists – without empathy or understanding.

Dr. Ostojić’s Message – “A Marathon Is Run with Mind and Heart, Not Steps”

“Overcoming the fear of the dentist isn’t a sprint. It’s a process of personal growth, facing fears, and healing. It’s returning to yourself – the part of you that knows it can, but once got scared and froze. You don’t have to run fast.”

“You don’t have to beat anyone except yourself from yesterday.

If you have trouble sleeping, the solution doesn’t have to be in pills, but in physical activity. A new comprehensive study published in BMJ Evidence Based Medicine reveals that regularly practicing exercises such as yoga, tai chi, walking, or running can significantly improve sleep quality — often more effectively than medication.

The study compared 13 different methods for fighting insomnia, including various forms of exercise, and found that yoga and tai chi were among the most effective. Yoga increased sleep duration by almost two hours and improved its efficiency, while tai chi reduced nighttime awakenings and the time needed to fall asleep, with effects lasting up to two years, reports Index.hr.

Exercise Improves Sleep on Multiple Levels

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Scientists say that exercise reduces anxiety, stimulates melatonin secretion, lowers stress levels, and improves deep sleep. Walking and running have also been shown to be helpful, especially in reducing the severity of insomnia symptoms.

Should Exercise Be the First Choice?

Although cognitive-behavioral therapy remains the most effective, exercise is more accessible, cheaper, and practically has no side effects. Therefore, the authors of the study recommend that exercise should be among the first-line treatments for insomnia, and not just an add-on to therapy.

Many people think that simply avoiding excessive alcohol is enough to keep the liver healthy. Although alcohol is one of the main enemies of this organ, poor diet, too much sugar and fat, combined with lack of physical activity, can seriously damage its health, writes Best Life.

Fortunately, a proper diet and an active lifestyle can do wonders for regenerating and protecting the liver. Gastroenterologist Dr Joseph Salhab recently shared three types of vegetables he includes daily in his diet to boost liver health.

Broccoli

In a TikTok video, Dr Salhab highlighted that broccoli takes first place on his list thanks to its powerful detoxifying properties.

“Broccoli contains sulforaphane, a compound that activates enzymes responsible for detoxifying the liver and removing toxins from the body,” he explains.

Studies confirm that sulforaphane may ease symptoms of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and because of these benefits, there are more and more broccoli-based supplements on the market.

Similar benefits come from other cruciferous vegetables – such as Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and cabbage – as well as leafy greens like kale, spinach, and Swiss chard.

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Beetroot

“Beetroot contains betalain, a powerful antioxidant that reduces oxidative stress in the liver and helps healing,” says Dr Salhab.

According to Dr Jason Itri, founder of the Health and Longevity Clinic in Virginia, betalains also promote bile flow, making fat digestion easier and speeding up the elimination of toxins.

“People who regularly eat beetroot have better blood flow in the brain, especially in areas responsible for memory and critical thinking,” adds Dr Brynna Connor.

Artichokes

In third place are artichokes, which surprise many with their strong effect on the liver.

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“Artichokes are among the best foods for liver health because they contain cynarin, a powerful antioxidant,” explains Dr Salhab.

A 2022 study showed that artichoke leaf extract may have a protective effect against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), reports Večernji list. Salhab shares that he often eats them as a spread on sourdough bread for a healthy and nutritious lunch.

During the summer, bees, wasps, and hornets are most active, and experts warn that from the moment of their sting to a severe allergic reaction, only minutes can pass.

Hemorrhoids are a relatively common condition, and fortunately, most cases are mild. But if they become more severe, they can cause significant problems. In the past, serious hemorrhoidal issues were treated with complicated and very painful surgeries, but with the introduction of the TRILOGY - HAR-RAR method, this hemorrhoid operation has become painless.