Are figs really vegetarian? True science, myths and facts explained | food news

Last update:November 22, 2025, 19:25 IST

Figs stimulate digestion, promote weight control, improve skin and provide iron, calcium and fiber. They also promote heart health, making them a nutritious vegetarian superfood.

A recent surge of viral videos on social media has sparked confusion over the vegetarian status of figs, a fruit enjoyed since childhood. This debate is particularly significant for strict vegetarians.

Misunderstandings about the internal structure of the fig, the pollination process of its tree, and the role of fig wasps have led to inaccurate conclusions. This article aims to demystify the issue, explaining the reality of figs in simple terms.

From the outside, figs look like any other fruit. However, its unique internal structure, packed with tiny seeds, sometimes leads people to believe that an insect is trapped inside.

Some claim that dead insects inside figs make them non-vegetarian, but this is not entirely true. The pollination process involving fig wasps is crucial to understanding this topic.

Fig trees house their flowers inside the fruit. The fig wasps enter through a small hole to pollinate these internal flowers, allowing the correct development of the fruit. This symbiotic relationship between the fig tree and the wasp is a wonder of nature. Occasionally, a wasp may become trapped and die inside the fig, leading to misconceptions that the fruit is not vegetarian.

However, the truth is that the wasp is broken down by a special enzyme in the fig called ficin. This process ensures that no trace of the insect remains when the fig is ready to be eaten. Scientifically, calling figs non-vegetarian is incorrect.

Figs are considered completely vegetarian. World food agencies, scientists and nutrition experts say that figs do not contain any animal substances. In India, figs have always been classified as vegetarian. The wasp's involvement is simply a natural part of the fig's life cycle, and no remains remain in the fruit.

Figs are also considered vegan. Despite the insect-assisted pollination process, this occurs naturally and not through human intervention in agriculture or the food industry. Therefore, vegans accept figs as a plant-based food.

In addition to being vegetarian and vegan, figs offer numerous health benefits. They improve digestion, help control weight, improve skin health and are rich in iron, calcium and fiber. Figs also support heart health, making them a nutritious addition to any diet. Figs are not only vegetarian but also a healthy superfood.

(Disclaimer: The information provided is based on general beliefs. Please consult an expert before following any dietary advice.)