A product of the date palm
and cultivated since approximately 6000 B.C, the date fruit is one of the sweetest fruits
around and also happens to come in many different varieties. Although dates can
be eaten fresh, the fruit is very often dried, resembling raisins or plums. But
whether fresh or dry, the health benefits of dates are still just as
plentiful.
These delicious fruits contain
oil, calcium, sulfur, iron, potassium, phosphorous, manganese, copper and magnesium which
are all beneficial for the human health and can be used to alleviate many
health problems such as heart problems, anemia, strokes,
cholesterol, hypertension, abdominal cancer, intestinal disorders,
sexual dysfunction, constipation, and many other conditions. According to
a modern medical survey, it is now accepted that dates are useful in preventing
abdominal cancer.
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| Dates |
Here are some of the key recommendations for which and why they should be included in your diet;
Anemia: Dates
are rich in iron
Dates have a high mineral
content, which is beneficial for many different health conditions, but their
impressive levels of iron make them a perfect dietary supplement for people
suffering from anemia. The high level of iron balances out the inherent lack of
iron in anemic patients, increasing energy and strength, while decreasing
feelings of fatigue and sluggishness.
Constipation: Have large amounts of potassium
Dates are often
categorized as a laxative food. This is why they are so frequently eaten by
people suffering from constipation. In order to achieve the desired laxative
effect of it, you should soak them in water over night. Then, eat the soaked
dates in the morning like syrup to get the most optimal results. Dates have high
levels of soluble fiber, which is essential in promoting healthy bowel
movements and the comfortable passage of food through the intestinal tract,
which can relieve symptoms of constipation. Dates also help to prevent diarrhea
because of their large amounts of potassium which is an essential mineral to
prevent diarrhea, relieve the flora of the stomach and intestines, and
effectively stimulate bacteria.
Healthy Heart: Dates strengthen heart
Dates are quite helpful in
keeping your heart healthy. When they are soaked for the night, crushed in the
morning and then consumed, they have been shown to have a positive effect on
weak hearts. Dates are also a rich source of potassium, which studies have
shown to reduce the risk of stroke and other heart related diseases.
Furthermore, they are suggested as a healthy and delicious way to reduce the levels
of LDL cholesterol in the body, which is a major contributing factor to heart
attacks, heart disease, and stroke. Therefore, when taken twice a week, dates
can seriously improve the overall health of the heart. Dates regulate blood
pressure. People with high blood pressure should regularly eat the dates as
they are high in potassium and do not have sodium. 5 to 6 dates contain about
80 mg of magnesium which is an important mineral that spreads through the blood
vessels improving blood circulation. Similarly, 370 mg of magnesium are very
helpful in lowering blood pressure.
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| Different types of dates |
Abdominal Cancer
Research has pointed
towards dates being a legitimate way to reduce the risk and impact of
abdominal cancer. They work as a useful tonic for all age groups, and in some
cases, they work better than traditional medicines, and are natural, so they
don’t have any negative side effects on the human body. They can be quickly and
easily digested for a quick boost of energy as they are high in natural sugars
like glucose, fructose, and sucrose. Therefore, they are the perfect snack for
an immediate burst of energy. Many people around the world use dates for a
quick afternoon snack when they are feeling lethargic or sluggish.
Weight: Dates allow you to control body weight
Dates should be included as part of a healthy diet. They consist of sugar, proteins and many essential vitamins. If dates are consumed with cucumber paste, you can keep your weight at a normal, balanced level, rather than over-slimming. One kilogram of dates contains almost 3,000 calories, and the calories in dates are sufficient to meet the daily requirements for a human body. Of course, you should not eat just dates throughout the day. If you are thin and slim and want to increase your weight, or if you are trying to build your muscles to impress some girl, or you have become weak due to a serious medical problem – you need to eat dates!
If you want to avoid excessive fat, you should eat dates on an empty stomach. This will allow you to control your body weight because the dates do not contain cholesterol.
Many Muslims break their fast by eating dates and water according to their cultural traditions. Breaking fast by eating dates helps avoid overeating of food after the fast is finished. When the body begins to absorb the high nutritional value of the dates, feelings of hunger are pacified. Also, the nervous system can get a lot of help from consuming dates, since they have such significant amounts of potassium.
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| Date palm |
Nervous System Health
The vitamins present in
dates make it an ideal boost to nervous system health and
functionality. Potassium is one of the prime ingredients in promoting a healthy
and responsive nervous system, and it also improves the speed and alertness of
brain activity. Therefore, dates are a wonderful food source for people as they
begin to age and their nervous system becomes sluggish or unsupported, as well
as for people who want to keep their mind sharp.
Sexual Weakness
Studies have shown that
dates are even beneficial for increasing sexual stamina. Soak a handful of
dates in fresh goat’s milk overnight, then grind them in the same milk with a
mixture of cardamom powder and honey. This mixture becomes a
very useful tonic for increasing sexual endurance and reducing sterility caused
by various sexual disorders. The science behind this phenomenon is largely due
to traditional usage which stimulated formal research. In 2006, Bahmanpour studied
the effects of date palms and their oil on sexual functioning and found that
the high levels of estradiol and flavonoid components of dates are what
increase sperm count and motility, as well as promoting increased testes size
and weight. So, if you are looking for a masculine boost, eat some dates,
because they are a great natural aphrodisiac!
Night Blindness: The benefits of dates are extensive, and are commonly
employed to fight off various conditions affecting the ear, nose, and throat.
When the leaves of the date palm are ground into a paste and rubbed on and
around the eyes, or when dates are ingested orally, it has been shown to reduce
the frequency of night blindness, and this solution is commonly used in
rural areas where dates grow as an alternative medicine.
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| Ajwa dates |
Allergies
One of the most
interesting facets of dates is the presence of organic sulfur in them. This is
not a very common element to find in foods, but it does have a worthwhile
amount of health benefits, including the reduction of allergic
reactions and seasonal allergies. According to a study done in 2002,
organic sulfur compounds can have a positive impact on the amount of suffering
people experience from SAR (Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis), which affects
approximately 23 million people in the United States alone. Dates are a great
way to somewhat stem the effects of those seasonal allergies through its
contributions of sulfur to the diet.
Intestinal Disorders
The nicotine content in
dates is thought to be beneficial for curing many kinds of intestinal
disorders. Continuous intake of dates helps to inhibit growth of the
pathological organisms and thus, they help stimulate the growth of friendly
bacteria in the intestines. In terms of digestive issues, dates contain those
insoluble and soluble fibers, as well as many beneficial amino acids which can
stimulate the digestion of food and make it more efficient, meaning
that more nutrients will be absorbed by the digestive tract and enter your body
for proper usage.
Intoxication: Dates are commonly used as a remedy for
alcoholic intoxication. Dates provide quick relief and have a sobering effect
in case you feel as though have consumed an uncomfortable amount of alcohol.
They can also be used the following morning to prevent severe hangovers.
Again, they should be rubbed and soaked overnight for the best results.
Although dates carry
tremendous nutritional values, great care should be taken in their selection
because their surface is very sticky, which often attracts various impurities.
Therefore, you should only consume dates that are processed and packaged
properly. Also, make sure to wash them thoroughly before you eat them, as this
will help remove the impurities present on the surface.
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