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Can a fruit be non-vegetarian? Truth about figs!

Figs, also known as Anjeer, are a popular and nutritious fruit often enjoyed dried in India. Packed with health benefits, figs are said to support gut health, strengthen muscles, and boost energy levels. However, a curious question lingers for some: could this fruit be non-vegetarian? Strange as it sounds, how could a fruit that grows on trees be anything but vegetarian? This uncertainty comes from the rather unique way figs form. Intrigued? Read on to uncover the fascinating role of wasps in fig formation and decide for yourself.
Figs start as a closed, inverted flower, which prevents typical pollinators like wind or bees from helping them along. This is where tiny pollinator wasps come in, playing a key role in turning fig flowers into fruits. A female wasp squeezes into a small opening in the fig flower to lay her eggs, and in doing so, her wings and antennae often break off, leaving her unable to exit. She dies inside the fig, which absorbs her, breaking down her body with natural enzymes. And with that, the fig develops into the fruit we eat.
So, does this make figs non-vegetarian? That’s up to you to decide!

Truth about Figs!

The fig uses a special enzyme called ficin to digest the wasp’s body, breaking it down into protein. Her eggs hatch inside the fig, and the larvae grow, mate, and eventually crawl out.
So, for every fig you eat, it’s likely that a wasp gave its life to make that fruit possible. But don’t worry – by the time you take a bite, the wasp has been fully absorbed, so there’s no trace of it left in the fig!
Just because insects are involved in pollination doesn’t make figs or any other fruit non-vegetarian. It’s simply part of the plant’s lifecycle, enabling it to reproduce and thrive,” says Vihan Dixit, Nutritionist and Author.
Dixit clarifies that it’s true that some fig varieties rely on wasps for pollination; this process doesn’t involve consuming any animal material.
He explained that pollination is simply how the fig reaches fruition, just as bees help pollinate other fruits and plants.

Vegetarians and Vegans can all enjoy Figs, says Nutritionist.

His final reassurance to consumers is simple. He says, “For vegetarians or vegans, there’s no need to worry about figs. They’re a wholesome, plant-based fruit that brings a unique flavour and nutrition, grown by nature’s fascinating processes.”

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