Dates are loaded with
various nutrients, minerals etc. and it contains vitamins like vitamin A,
vitamin B complex, vitamin C, etc. Moreover, dates are low in fat and high in
protein and fiber content, which makes them healthy snacks between meals.
Dates Helps to gain
weight
While most of us are
trying to cut down our weight, there are some people who are desperately trying
to gain weight. Dates are high in calories, with one date corresponding to 20
to 60 calories (depending on the type). Including 5 to 6 dates in one's daily
diet can help increase body weight. Dates, unlike junk food are a healthy way
of gaining weight. If you don't like to eat dates as they are, you can also add
dates to cakes, puddings, and other baked items to reduce the sugar content in
them.
Soaked and pureed
Medjool dates, when combined with applesauce and added to cake batter, not only
add moisture and texture, but also do away with refined sugar, added in the
cake. Dates also add fiber and increase the nutritional content of the baked
food item. If the dates purchased are not soft, microwave them along with a
little water for a minute. Blend the softened dates in a food processor.
Dates Assists
Digestion
Dates consist of 20
different kinds of amino acids which facilitate the digestive process. This is
why dates are easily digestible, and furnish the body with required energy for
physical activities in about half an hour, after consumption. Moreover,
breaking your fast with dates will help you avoid overeating. The factor
responsible for human hunger is shortage of sugar in the blood. Consumption of
dates takes care of this shortage, and pacifies the feeling of hunger with its
sugar content. Moreover, the dietary fiber and other nutrients in dates, gets
absorbed by the body quickly, which prevents people from overeating after a day
of fasting.
Dates are Energy
booster
Dates are a high
source of energy, with 100 grams of dates yielding about 300 kcal of energy.
They are packed with 29 grams of natural sugars (glucose, sucrose, and
fructose), 3 grams of dietary fiber, and 31 grams of carbohydrates. Therefore,
the tiny date fruit can be appropriately described as an energy-boosting dry
fruit.
Date fruits have been
considered very important in the Islamic culture. Muslims are seen to break
their fast by consuming dates. This is because after fasting the body requires
an energy-boosting food item, and dates suit the part perfectly. The natural
sugars in dates are quickly converted to energy in the liver , which is used by
the body. Moreover, breaking the fast with a date also helps prepare the
digestive system for the meal ahead, thereby assisting in digestion.
Dates Helps heal intestinal
disorders
Dates have been found
to promote growth of friendly bacteria in the intestines. Moreover, the
nicotine content found in dates is also believed to help cure intestinal
problems. Pregnancy is a time when a woman experiences extreme bloating,
constipation and other intestinal problems. Dates are an excellent remedy for
such intestinal disturbances. However, women with gestational diabetes must
control the intake of dates, unless otherwise specified by the obstetrician.
Dates Help in alleviate
constipation
Loaded with soluble
and insoluble fibers, dates not only help improve bowel movements, but also
clears toxins from the gastrointestinal tract. In order to benefit from the
laxative properties of dates, one should soak dates overnight in water. The
soaked dates should then be ingested in the morning along with the water to
gain the actual advantages. The roughage provided by dates increases bowel
movement, thereby solving constipation issues. Pregnant women are advised to
eat dates to alleviate constipation, because it is not only a high-fiber snack,
but also contains lots of nutrients that are good for the growing fetus.
Helps improve heart
health
Not only are dates
sodium-free, but are also high in potassium. When dates are consumed, the ratio
of sodium to potassium is balanced, due to the high potassium in it. When the
ratio of sodium and potassium is maintained, the pressure applied on the walls
of the arteries is not high. Dates are also cholesterol-free, which again is an
added advantage. Thus, dates help in controlling the blood pressure. Since
dates are low in saturated fat, they are considered as healthy food for the
heart. Research reveals that higher potassium intake of about 400 mg can reduce
the risk of strokes by 40%.
Dates good for
Diabetics patients
Diabetics have to keep
in consideration the glycemic index (GI) of food items, because the lower the
GI, the better it is for their bodies. As we know, there are over 300 varieties
of dates, all having different GI. On an average dates have a glycemic index of
103, which is very high. However, research conducted at Faculty of Medicine and
Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University (2001) on three varieties of
dates; khalas, barhi, and bo ma'an dates reveals GI of 35.5, 49.7 and 30.5
respectively.
The study shows that
dates can also be considered as low GI foods, provided you eat these varieties.
To be on the safer side, if you do not know the glycemic index of the dates you
are eating, it's best to restrict its intake. Nevertheless, dates are the ideal
choice when blood sugar drops. It raises the blood sugar levels quickly during
hypoglycemia. To make it a fulfilling snack it's best to combine dates with
walnuts or pecans.
Dates and Labor
Dates are also seen to
strengthen the uterine muscles and facilitates childbirth. A study (2007-2008)
was conducted at Jordan University of Science and Technology, on pregnant women
to analyze the link date fruits have on labor. 69 women were asked to consume 6
dates every day, for the last 4 weeks before their due date. On the other hand,
45 other women were also included in the study, who were not given any dates.
After analysis of all their births, it was found that the women who consumed
dates showed more cervical dilation, along with higher percentage of
spontaneous labor in of women, as compared to those who didn't consume dates.
The study noted that dates helped labor and spontaneous labor. However, more
research has to be conducted in this field.
Dates are Rich in
Antioxidants
Free radicals formed
after metabolic activities, damage body cells, thereby causing cancer. However,
antioxidants stabilize these free radicals and prevent them from causing damage
to the cells, thereby helping in preventing cancer, heart diseases, etc. Dates
are high in phenolic compounds and flavonoids, which possess antioxidant
activity. Thus, dates indirectly help slow down or prevent cancer.
Dates for Strengthens
Tooth Enamel
Dates contain
fluorine, which is an essential mineral to slow down the process of early tooth
decay. Fluorine is also known to keep plaque at bay by strengthening the tooth
enamel. However, many people are of the misconception that tooth enamel can
magically reverse tooth decay. This is not true. Tooth enamel consists of
hydroxyapatites, which when brought in contact with fluorine forms
hydroxyfluoroapatites, which is resistant to decay. This clearly means that
fluorine helps prevent further tooth decay, but cannot reverse the decay
process.
Increases Sexual power
The problem of sexual
weakness can be countered by dates, as they are beneficial in increasing the
body's sexual stamina. One needs to soak handful of dates in goat's milk
overnight. Next morning, grind the dates in the same milk and add a mixture of
honey and cardamom powder. This yields a tonic capable of increasing sexual
endurance.
Dates are
nutrient-rich brown nuggets, that not only satiate the palate, but also provide
a variety of nutrients to the body. Consuming a couple of dates when one's
hungry will be a good idea, because it will help prevent binge eating. Enjoy
the sweetness of dates along with its numerous health benefits.
Dates keeps anemia
away
Every 100 grams of
Medjool dates corresponds to 0.90 milligrams of iron. Consuming dates on a
regular basis can provide the body with the iron content it needs. Pregnant
women are often advised to consume dates, so as to prevent iron-deficiency
anemia in mother and child. However, since vitamin C is required for iron
absorption, it's important to consume vitamin C-rich foods as well. Anemia
patients are advised to eat several dates on a daily basis to raise their level
of iron in the blood.