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The benefits of dates include relief from constipation,
intestinal disorders, heart problems, anaemia, sexual dysfunction, diarrhoea,
abdominal cancer, and many other conditions. Dates are good for gaining weight
also. Dates are rich in several vitamins, minerals and fibre too. These
delicious fruits contain oil, calcium, sulphur, iron, potassium, phosphorous,
manganese, copper and magnesium which are all beneficial for health. Some
health specialists have said that eating one day per day is necessary for a balanced
and healthy diet.
Wonderfully
delicious, dates are one of the most popular fruits with an impressive list of
essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, required for normal growth,
development and overall well-being.
Fresh date is
made of soft, easily digestible flesh with simple sugars like fructose and
dextrose that when eaten replenishes energy and revitalizes the body instantly;
thus, for these qualities, dates are being used to breakfast during Ramadan
months.
The fruit is rich
in dietary fibre, which prevents dietary LDL cholesterol absorption in the gut.
It is also a good bulk laxative. The fibre content helps to protect the colon
mucous membrane by decreasing exposure time and as well as binding to cancer
causing chemicals in the colon.
They contain many
health benefitting flavonoid polyphenolic antioxidants known as tannins.
Tannins are known to have anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-haemorrhagic
(prevent easy bleeding tendencies) properties.
They are a good
source of Vitamin-A (contains 149 IU per 100 g), which is known to have
antioxidant properties and is essential for vision. Vitamin A also required
maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural fruits
rich in vitamin A is known to help to protect from lung and oral cavity
cancers.
The fruit is very
rich in antioxidant flavonoids such as beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin.
These antioxidants have the ability to help protect cells and other structures
in the body from oxygen free radicals and thereby found to be protective
against colon, prostate, breast, endometrial, lung, and pancreatic cancers.
Zeaxanthin, an
important dietary carotenoid selectively absorbed into the retinal macula lutea
where it is thought to provide antioxidant and protective light-filtering
functions; thus it offers protection against age related macular degeneration,
especially in elderly populations.
Dates are an
excellent source of iron, contains 0.90 mg/100 g of fruits (about 11% of RDI).
Iron, being a component of haemoglobin inside the red blood cells, determines
the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood.
In addition, they
are good in potassium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body
fluids that help controlling heart rate and blood pressure; thus offers
protection against stroke and coronary heart diseases.
They are also
rich in minerals like calcium, manganese, copper, and magnesium. Calcium is an
important mineral that is an essential constituent of bone and teeth, and
required by the body for muscle contraction, blood clotting, and nerve impulse
conduction. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant
enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Copper is required in the production of red blood
cells. Magnesium is essential for bone growth.
Further, the
fruit has adequate levels of B-complex group of vitamins as well as vitamin K.
It contains very good amounts of pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), niacin, pantothenic
acid, and riboflavin. These vitamins are acting as cofactors help body
metabolize carbohydrates, protein, and fats. Vitamin K is essential for many
coagulant factors in the blood as well as in bone metabolism.
Constipation: 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 fibre,
which is essential in promoting healthy bowel movements and the comfortable
passage of food through the intestinal tract, which can relieve symptoms of
constipation.
Bone Health and Strength: The significant amounts of
minerals found in dates make it a super food for strengthening bones and
fighting off painful and debilitating diseases like osteoporosis. Date contains
selenium, manganese, copper, and magnesium, all of which are integral to
healthy bone development and strength, particularly as people begin to age and
their bones gradually weaken. So, eat your dates and give a boost to your
bones!
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 fibres, 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.
Anaemia: 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 anaemia.
The high level of iron balances out the inherent lack of iron in anaemic
patients, increasing energy and strength, while decreasing feelings of fatigue
and sluggishness.
Allergies: One of the most interesting facets of dates is
the presence of organic sulphur 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 sulphur 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 sulphur to the diet.
Weight Gain: Dates should be included as a part of a healthy
diet. They consist of sugar, proteins and many essential vitamins. If dates are
consumed with cucumber paste, you can also 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!
Energy Booster: Dates 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.
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.
Healthy 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 heart attacks, heart disease, and
stroke. Therefore, when taken twice a week, dates can seriously improve the
overall health of the heart.
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.
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.
Diarrhoea: Ripe dates contain potassium, which is known as
an effective way of controlling diarrhoea. They are also easy to digest, which
further helps alleviate the unpredictable nature of chronic diarrhoea. The
soluble fibre in dates can also help relieve diarrhoea, by providing bulk to
the bowel movements and promoting normal, healthy functioning of the excretory
system.
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.
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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