History of the incredible, edible dates
The exact origin of the first date palm is not known. It is believed to be somewhere near to the lands of Iraq.
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The date palm produces the edible date fruits which are dark-brown drupes, oval-to-cylindrical in shape, 3 – 7-cms long, and somewhat sticky with juicy sweetness beneath their paper-thin skin. Dates have been the staple diet of the Middle East as it is a concentrated energy provider which could be easily stored and carried along on desert journeys. Dates also represent vitality and growth.
Dates and its nutritional values
When it comes to nutrition, DATES have a lot indeed!
DATES pack a nutritional punch. They contain more vitamins and minerals than any other common fruits. Dates have been touted as the “richest source of dietary minerals and fibers.” They are a good source of vitamin B6, vitamin A, Vitamin B, thiamin, niacin, and folate. Dates have in abundance the essential minerals like magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron, calcium, and zinc.
“Eat healthy, be nutrition wealthy”
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Dates and its Health Benefits
1) Dates and Intestinal Disorders
Intestinal disorders pose many distressing symptoms. They can be painful, debilitating, or sometimes life-threatening. Regular consumption of dates inhibits the growth of disease-causing microorganisms within the intestinal walls. They also boost the growth of helpful bacteria. The nicotinic content in dates is specifically known to cure most forms of intestinal disorders.
2) Dates and Constipation
Is constipation in you?
The rich soluble fiber (beta D-glucan) content found in dates is a top-drawer source of natural dietary fiber. This soluble fiber can fight constipation, naturally. Fiber with its capacity to hold water and increase the softness of stool, helps in making stool bulky thus facilitating movement of stools from the intestine to rectum easy. Date is also known as natural laxative.
Helpful tip: Soak few dates in water overnight and consume it the next morning to treat constipation, the natural way.
“Let constipation take the strain”
3) Dates for a Healthy-heart diet
Dates are known to strengthen weak hearts and sustain healthy ones. Certain Studies conducted at the Technion-Israel Institute of Science have confirmed that eating Hallawi dates daily for four weeks could improve the quality of lipids (fat) in the blood with no elevated sugar level. The study showed a 15 percent decrease in triglyceride levels and a 33% drop in the amount of oxidation of fats in the blood, thus keeping the artery wall clear for a happy heart beat. Dates consist of virtually no fat.
Tip: Soak few dates in water, leave it overnight, and consume it the next morning for better results.
“Healthy heart, what more could you want”
4) Dates for Weight gain
If you are endowed with an ultra-thin body and you are in need of some extra pounds, then dates are the answer. Date is a combination of rich source of sugar, proteins and many essential nutrients necessary for weight gain. Dates are high in calories, around 3000 calories per kilogram. To gain weight, eat soaked and crushed dates mixed with cucumber paste.
5) Dates for a smooth umblemished skin
Dates have anti-oxidative properties which can relieve your skin from free radicals, thus making the skin smooth, firm, and toned. Regular use is warranted.
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6) Dates boost your energy
Carbohydrates present in dates are mostly simple sugars and the simple sugars are converted easily and quickly into glucose for cells to use as Energy. Eating few dates before and after high intensity aerobic exercises will help fortify and replenish energy levels.
7) Dates And Anemia
Packed with impressive levels of Iron, dates make a perfect dietary supplement for people suffering from anemia. The deficiency of iron in anemic patients is balanced with the high level of iron in dates, thus increasing strength and energy, and decreasing the feelings of fatigue and sluggishness.
8) Dates and Pregnant woman
Along with pregnancy, comes a myriad of problems such as bloating, stomach cramps, fatigue, irregular bowel movements combined with intestinal tract infections, constipation, and anemia etc. The abundance of iron found in dates is good for the mother as well as the child to combat anemia. During the course of delivery, eating dates helps the uterine muscle to dilate such that, it facilitates a smooth delivery. Eating dates also helps a lactating mother to produce milk which is high in nutrients for the infant’s overall health.
9) Dates and libido
It’s no secret that sex is one of the most enjoyable experiences one can have. “Getting it up” is not easy as you get older. Consume dates to keep yourself sexually vital. Dates enhance your sexual stamina. They are full of concentrated natural sugars and hence a good energy and mood booster.
Secret potion: Take a glass of goat’s milk, pop in a few dates, soak it overnight, grind it next morning, add cardamom powder, and some honey to taste, and drink this elixir to increase your sexual prowess.
“It’s time to think about Endurance”
10) Dates are rich in calcium
Dates are rich in calcium. The body requires calcium to keep the bones and teeth strong. Dates have the same in abundance. Adding a handful of delicious dates can keep away osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis as well as the painful tooth decay.
How to store Dates?
Store dates in room temperature inside air-tight plastic bags or containers; you can store like this for a month or more. Dates store best in the refrigerator for up to 8 months or more.
Side effects of Dates
There is a saying which goes like this “too much is too bad”, likewise eating too many dates can also cause problems. Always eat them in moderation as a part of a balanced diet plan. Some of the disadvantages of eating dates are:
Weight gain
As dates are very delicious, the tendency to eat more is very high. As dates are high calorie-dense foods, consuming more than you can burn can put you at the risk of gaining more weight. Abnormal weight gain is directly linked to chronic diseases such are cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Hence including dates in moderation as a part of a balanced diet plan is the key to a healthy living.
Diabetes
Gorging on dates can put you at risk for diabetes type-2. Dates have a high-glycemic index. High-glycemic food like dates can cause steep rise in blood sugar. Frequent rise in abnormal blood sugar levels can ultimately lead to type-2 diabetes. Hence, eat dates in moderation to avoid getting diabetes.
Dates and home remedies
To gain weight, consume few soaked and crushed dates mixed with cucumber paste, and include this in your daily diet plan.
Dates act as a natural laxative. Soak dates overnight in water, crush them in the same water the following morning and drink. Your will have a normal bowel movement without the fear of constipation.
Consuming soaked and crushed dates along with honey can remove impurities from your blood.
According to a study, consuming dates for a few months continuously can control hysteria.
Consuming two spoons of ground dry dates mixed in milk and honey can improve blood count and sexually vitality. Give the same to pregnant women who are anemic.
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