Dates and figs are two of the most popular snacks in the Middle East, where they have been consumed for centuries due to their high vitamin C content.Several health-promoting properties of these dried fruits make them some of the best snack options for your body. This is because they don’t interfere with your diet and also provide your body with more magnesium, potassium, and fiber.Figs and dates are often confused with one another, although both can be eaten as fresh figs or fresh dates, or dried. Dried figs are great and have a number of health benefits. The date palm tree is native to Middle Eastern countries, but it can be found around the world now. Dates and figs can now be found everywhere in the world. However, the Middle East continues to be one of the highest quality sellers of these fruits. Dates and figs are related to one another, but they are very different and have separate botanical properties. The fig tree is known as Ficus carica, and the date palm tree is scientifically called Phoenix dactylifera. Even though fig trees and palm trees cultivate different fruits, they are almost similar in their properties. Like dates, figs also have a similar nutritional value. Both of them are also excellent sources of protein and potassium. They also have a lot of calories. For people looking to build muscles, figs and dates are good choices. Around 3.5 oz (100 g) of dates contains 277 calories and an ample amount of iron, zinc, copper, and minerals that can provide antioxidants for your body. Dried dates are high in Vitamin B6 and help in promoting good health and a sound body.Figs contain almost the same number of healthy nutrients as dates. They are good when mixed with other dietary food supplements, proving to be an excellent source of iron and other nutrition. The sugar content in these also helps calm the sweet tooth, along with providing fiber and the required copper and zinc needs. Eating four to five dates a day can improve your bone health and even brain health. Dried figs have different names in different cultures. In the Middle East, they are simply called dried figs. Figs and dates without seeds are also very popular since they make it even easier to eat these dry fruits. Research suggests that eating dates and figs in the right amount can also improve skin and help raise the calcium levels required by the body. Although, despite their sugar content, they help with blood sugar levels since they have a very low glycemic index. Both dried figs and dates are healthy, and a date is not a dried fig. Figs are different fruits that are flat naturally. Dates are different kinds of fruits belonging to a different family. One can substitute figs for dates or vice versa, depending on which taste they like the most. Both dried and raw figs are great, but dried figs have more sugar, around 1.69 oz (47.92 g).If you enjoyed this article about dates and figs, why not also read about elk vs moose and eagle vs hawk here at Kidadl?What is the difference between a date and a fig?Figs are known as superfoods since their nutritional value is exceptionally good and they have an amazing amount of fiber and nutrients. Eating figs can help you cover around 6% of your body’s daily calcium and iron needs and 7% of the potassium requirements of the body.The dates come from date palm trees, whereas figs come from fig trees. Both are different fruits. Both are rich in vitamin C and vitamin B6, and are known to be superfoods since their nutrient value is very high. They are rich in calories and help your body fill the magnesium, potassium, iron, fiber, and calcium gaps that can be easy to miss in your regular diet. There are certain differences as well, which set these two apart from one another. The fig tree, ficus carica, gives the fruiting fig, whereas the date palm tree, also known as the Phoenix dactylifera, gives dates. Dates and figs come from different trees. Figs are inverted flowers. In order for them to be processed and eaten as a superfood, they need pollination help from wasps. The wasps that help in fig pollination are known as fig wasps. Dates are richer in sugar compared to figs. Figs have fewer calories compared to dates and can be eaten by people who wish to maintain their weight or lose weight.What is sweeter, dates or figs?Dates come from palm trees and have excellent health benefits. Figs come from fig trees and are known as superfoods. However, some people should avoid eating figs. Since figs help diabetic people maintain blood sugar levels, they can be harmful to people who already have low blood sugar levels.When you eat dates or figs, your body is supplied with numerous nutrients, a few of which are magnesium, calcium, fiber, and vitamin C. However, figs control blood sugar levels, which can be bad news for people suffering from low blood pressure. Hence, individuals suffering from low blood sugar levels should avoid eating figs. Both dates and figs are sweet and have sugar content, making them excellent for people who like eating sweet things but also want to eat healthily. Dates, however, have more sugar compared to figs. Dried figs are very sugary and more sugary compared to raw figs. A date still has more sugar content. A date has around 30% more sugar than a fig.Which is healthier: dates or figs?Both the fruits are extremely healthy and have amazing health benefits. However, depending on individual needs, one can choose between fig or date. Or one can also substitute dates for figs or vice versa, depending on which fruit tastes more appealing.Fig comes from the mulberry family and has a very chewy texture. There are a number of ways in which you can eat figs. Figs come raw or dried; both have their separate benefits. However, dried figs are sugary, and therefore, people who are watching their sugar levels should opt for raw figs. One can also soak up figs overnight and eat them the next day on an empty stomach. There are other ways in which figs should be consumed. Before bed, you can pair figs with warm milk. Figs can also be eaten as an evening snack or with herbal tea. There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to eating figs; it depends on how one likes them. Even though both dates and figs are equally good, one can be chosen out of the two depending on individual needs. Figs help with weight loss. They keep you full for longer periods of time, whereas dates are full of calories. They help build muscles. For people wanting to gain weight, dates are an ideal option. Figs are a good choice for people looking to lose weight.Are dates or figs better for constipation?Many people suffer from stomach issues or irregular bowel movements. However, research suggests that eating a more fiber-rich diet can ease the process and help one get rid of stomach problems.Both dates and figs are filled with vitamin C and vitamin B. They are also great sources of magnesium. However, more than that, both of these fruits provide the body with an excellent amount of fiber, which is known to soothe constipation. Eating dried figs can help individuals who suffer from constipation problems. Figs can also help maintain your blood sugar levels and keep your weight in check. The same can be said about dates as well. Both of the fruits have excellent amounts of fiber and can be eaten when suffering from constipation since they are rich in fiber.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for dates vs figs: dried fruits difference facts simplified for all, then why not take a look at what are balloons made of, or coconut crab size to learn ‘claw-some’ ocean robber facts that kids adore.
Dates and figs are two of the most popular snacks in the Middle East, where they have been consumed for centuries due to their high vitamin C content.
