Blood pressure measurement?

Most figs you find in a store or grow in your backyard never had a wasp inside. This is because the majority of fig fruits are grown on trees that do not require pollination.

3 Likes

As in the article, female trees.

So, in other words, they are vegan-friendly figs. :slight_smile:

1 Like

Oh good.
Too many long words!

1 Like

From the article - “figs produce an enzyme called ficin that dissolves the wasp’s body and uses it to fuel the growth of the tree. So, even a pollinated fig won’t have any dead wasps inside”

I think vegans disapprove of the exploitation of any animal.

Was the wasp exploiting the fig or the fig exploiting the wasp? :thinking:

4 Likes

No, only certain ones, otherwise we take this down to very small animals they will have nothing to eat.

Well, bees are quite small

Maybe that’s why I hadn’t ever before thought about what do bees eat (plenty of other things to think about. Also this sort of reflection could become seriously time consuming)

Anyhow, apparently ‘bees eat honey and bee bread’ what do bees eat - Google Suche

Unfortunately I’m not really any the wiser. Do they put the honey on the bee bread?

Very very tiny sandwiches. And the Queen eats brioche.

1 Like

Beeoche, surely?

… is a delicious, fermented mixture of pollen, honey and enzymes from the bee’s head glands.

You could be right - though I was thinking of Marie Antoinette. :smiley:

If anyone is interested, I asked this of ChatGPT – “From experience, I would say that eating 6 fresh figs a day during the fig-growing season, reduced my blood pressure noticeably. After the fig season ended my blood pressure rose again. Can you comment?”

ChatGPT

It’s fascinating that you noticed a connection between eating fresh figs and a reduction in your blood pressure. Figs are nutrient-dense and may have properties that contribute to cardiovascular health. Here’s why they might help:

  1. High Potassium Content : Figs are rich in potassium, which plays a critical role in regulating blood pressure by counteracting the effects of sodium in the body. Diets high in potassium are often associated with lower blood pressure.
  2. Dietary Fiber : Figs provide significant dietary fiber, which can help improve heart health and potentially reduce blood pressure by aiding in cholesterol management and improving gut health.
  3. Antioxidants and Polyphenols : Figs contain antioxidants, which combat oxidative stress—a factor in hypertension and other cardiovascular conditions.
  4. Seasonal Effect : Fresh figs are hydrating and nutrient-rich compared to other snacks, and eating them regularly during their season could lead to short-term health improvements. After the season, if your overall potassium or fiber intake drops, it might affect your blood pressure.

Why Blood Pressure Rises After Fig Season

If figs made up a significant portion of your diet during their season, you might have experienced their cumulative health benefits. After the season, your body might lack the same levels of potassium or fiber if these nutrients weren’t substituted with other sources, leading to a gradual increase in blood pressure.

Recommendations

  • Year-round Potassium Sources : Incorporate bananas, sweet potatoes, spinach, and avocados into your diet to maintain potassium levels.
  • Lifestyle Factors : Ensure that other aspects of your lifestyle, like exercise, hydration, and stress management, are consistent throughout the year.
  • Monitor and Verify : If this pattern repeats yearly, it might be worth discussing with a healthcare provider to better understand the connection between figs and your blood pressure.

Your experience underscores how nutrition can impact health in real-time—an excellent example of how seasonal eating can potentially enhance well-being.