Why You Should Give a Fig About Figs

Dried figs are proven to have six times the antioxidant power of vitamin C, E or beta-carotene, according to laboratory tests conducted at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania. When tests were later conducted on people, figs were seen to boost antioxidant capacity in the bloodstream by as much as 18 percent. Apparently, as the fruit undergoes dehydration, its phenol content gets boosted. So how do other dried fruits fare? While the fig has no rivals, apricots, cranberries, dates and raisins all showed impressive antioxidant potency.