Phoenix dactylifera, commonly known as the Date Palm, is a palm in the genus Phoenix, extensively cultivated for its edible sweet fruit. Due to its long history of cultivation for fruit, its exact native distribution is unknown, but probably originated somewhere in the desert oases of northern Africa, and perhaps also southwest Asia. It is a medium-sized tree, 15 to 25 m tall, often clumped with several trunks from a single root system, but often growing singly as well. The leaves are pinnate, 3 to 5 m long, with spines on the petiole and about 150 leaflets; the leaflets are 30cm long and 2cm broad. The full span of the crown ranges from 6 to 10 meters. Dates are a great source of dietary fibre, and according to researchers at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania, they have the highest concentration of polyphenols among dried fruits. The findings of this research suggest that dried fruits should be a greater part of the diet because they are dense in phenol antioxidants, nutrients, and fibre.

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The Common fig (Ficus carica) is a large, deciduous shrub or small tree native to southwest Asia and the eastern Mediterranean region (from Greece to Turkey). It grows to a height of 6.9-10 metres (23-33ft) tall, with smooth grey bark. The leaves are 12-25 centimetres (4.7-9.8 in) long and 10-18 centimetres (3.9-7.1 in) across, and deeply lobed with three or five lobes. The fruit is 3-5 centimetres (1.2-2.0 in) long, with a green skin, sometimes ripening towards purple or brown. The sap of the tree's green parts is an irritant to human skin. Figs are a good source of potassium, a mineral that helps to control blood pressure. Since many people not only do not eat enough fruits and vegetables, but do consume high amounts of sodium as salt is frequently added to processed foods, they may be deficient in potassium. Low intake of potassium-rich foods, especially when coupled with a high intake of sodium, can lead to hypertension. Figs are a good source of dietary fibre, which may have a positive effect on weight management. Figs are a fruit source of calcium (79mg per 250g), a mineral that has many functions including promoting bone density. Also, figs' potassium may counteract the increased urinary calcium loss caused by the high-salt diets typical of most Westerners, thus helping to further prevent bones from thinning out at a fast rate.