Figs, or by their scientific name, ficus carica are edible fruits that come in two colours, green or purple. The inside flesh of figs present hundreds of tiny seeds, with the flesh of pink color, that share a sweet taste.
Figs are mainly eaten in two forms: fresh or dried. Whether methods of figs are consumed, they provide a variety of health benefits, from gastrointestinal to antioxidant protection and cholesterol-lowering priority.
Anyway, if you follow renal diets or any kinds of diets that require you to consume foods that contain a low potassium amount, the question that may arise in your minds could be; do figs contain potassium?
High potassium foods contain more than 200mg of potassium for a serving of 100g.
People with kidney disease should consume foods containing small amounts of potassium and sodium because kidneys may find difficulty expelling the excess of potassium present in the blood.
Are figs OK for kidneys?
Potassium is a mineral that carries out important tasks in our body, it regulates the heartbeat, ensures body fluid balance, and helps to regulate blood pressure.
Usually, people who suffer from kidney disease are recommended by doctors to consume low in potassium foods.
The potassium intake can be limited by following a diet, also called a kidney-friendly diet, where foods with low potassium are preferred.
Figs will not only fit best into a low potassium diet, but they share essential benefits. Although they are high in potassium, they are excellent in vitamin A, Vitamin C, calcium, iron and magnesium.
Are dried figs high in potassium?
Dried figs represent the primary way of commercial for the figs, the process may be achieved in different manners, and it is mainly done to remove the water, creating a smaller and dense fruit rich in nutrients.
Dried figs and all dried fruits should be limited in consumption by people who suffer from kidney issues because the drying process will decrease the amount of water and increase the amount of potassium and sugars.
Consequently, they are not ideal for people with kidney disease and diabetes problems.
You might be interested:
Is fig jam high in potassium?
Fig jam is not as popular as the apricot jam or strawberry jam, but if done correctly, it has a delicious flavor, perfect to combine with cheesecake or a slice of fresh bread.
Fig jam is low in potassium, and it will be perfect if you are suffering from kidney disease. You can purchase it in almost all supermarkets or utilize the ripe figs to prepare it.
Do figs have more potassium than bananas?
Fruits and vegetables are very known to be the primary source of potassium, and undoubtedly one of the fruits that bring the most potassium content is bananas.
If we compare the potassium between banana and figs, we will notice that bananas in their raw form contain 126mg more potassium than figs, equal to a difference of 35%.
If from one side we have people affected by hyperkalemia. Other people who don’t have any kidney disease have to ensure that a proper amount of potassium is always present.
This is important because having a low potassium content in the blood (hypokalemia) could lead to side effects like vomiting, diarrhoea, and disorders. Still, it can also lead to cramps and muscle weakness.
Final thoughts
For a person who has to follow a low potassium diet, finding fruits not rich in potassium could be challenging. Fig is a type of fruit high in potassium and should be consumed in moderation, especially by people with kidney problems.
