When You Eat Too Many Figs, This Is What Happens

Figs are a triple threat when it comes to fruits. They make for a healthy, colorful, and delicious snack. They can be cooked into so many decadent recipes, and they pair perfectly with some cheese and a glass of wine. What's not to love? You can eat these sweet fleshy fruits either fresh or dried, with or without the skin. They're also a low-calorie snack, per Healthline, making them easy to keep snacking on... but be warned. Turns out, there's a not-so-pleasant side effect to consuming too many figs at once.

Figs are loaded with tons of fiber. Because of that, they have long been used to treat digestive issues and help ease constipation. Fiber helps to soften stool... so as you can imagine, consuming a lot of fiber at once might take things too far in the other direction, to put it delicately. According to research, eating too many figs can actually irritate your digestive system and cause diarrhea. 

It's also worth noting that figs can cause bloating because they are heavy on the stomach. They may also interfere with blood thinners, and cause allergic reactions in some people (per Medical News Today).

For most of us, eating figs in moderation makes for a delightfully sweet treat (although, there are some who consider figs to be the worst fruit ever). And it turns out that figs are actually full of vitamins and minerals, with a range of health benefits. Besides promoting digestive health, Healthline says figs have been shown to improve heart health and help manage blood sugar levels in those with diabetes. Some studies even suggest that figs may have potential anti-cancer properties.

Livestrong notes that dried figs may also help promote healthy skin and stronger hair. The fruits are full of antioxidants and other nutrients that are said to help protect your skin against oxidative damage, which makes you age faster. Figs also contain a lot of zinc and iron, which promotes hair growth and helps fight against hair loss.