The odd wrinkles and brown exterior of dates may not make them your favorite fruit, but their flavor and chewy quality are like in general. You can say it’s a conventional fruit that has a single and long pit at the centre surrounded by a fleshy part (exocarp and mesocarp). Dates are oval and cylindrical in shape, about 1.5-3 centimetres long. The dates’ nutrients can help you considerably improve your health.
Origin of dates:
Botanically, the sweet and delicious dates grow on the palm trees that belong to the family of Arecaceae, Phoenix, and it’s scientifically named Phoenix dactylifera. This fruit actually belongs to the tropical oasis, and it’s believed to have originated on the banks of the Nile and Euphrates Rivers of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.
There is a good variety of dates, as their colors can be golden-yellow, deep brown and bright red, depending on their cultivar types and geographical areas. At present, date palm is extensively grown in warmer climates across all continents. The top 3 countries producing dates, out of which Egypt is the leading producer, followed by Saudi Arabia and Algeria. Iran and Pakistan also contribute to date production.
Are dates healthy?
Dates are not just delicious fruits to snack on but have many nutritious values that cannot be ignored. The benefits of dates fruit make them one of the highly recommended fruits to people of all ages. This page will cover the health properties of dates, dates nutrition facts, benefits of dates and more.
Beneficial elements of dates:
Dates can boost energy, and they contain a lot of beneficial minerals and vitamins that help you stay healthy and fit. The nutritious value of dates can be described as:
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- Loaded with carbohydrates
Experts suggest that 45-60% of our calories should come from carbohydrates, and dates contain a good amount of carbs to compensate for deficiency in the body. The number of typical calories required by an adult person a day is about 2000. Just one small cup of chopped dates can cater to up to 110 grams of carbohydrates that supply about 440 calories.
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- A source of potassium
Dates are a potential source of potassium, a powerful mineral required for the body’s growth. This element of dates’ nutrition is also essential to metabolize carbohydrates, build muscles and balance the acids in the body. A normal adult man requires 4700 milligrams of potassium per day and 5100 milligrams for a pregnant woman. A cup of chopped dates can supply up to 964 milligrams of potassium.
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- A supplier of magnesium
Dates play a key role in catering magnesium that can control blood glucose, helping you regulate blood sugar and nerve function. An adult person requires about 400 milligrams of magnesium a day. A pregnant woman should regularly eat dates to take care of her baby at different stages of pregnancy. The intake of a cup of chopped dates ensures the supply of about 70 milligrams of magnesium.
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- Other elements available in dates
Dates contain at least six vitamins that include a small amount of vitamin C, vitamins B(1) thiamine, B(2) riboflavin, vitamin K, vitamin A and nicotinic acid (niacin). Moreover, the potential health benefits of dates are offered by their other elements, such as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, calcium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, and zinc.
Health benefits of dates or how dates good for health
Experts recommend the regular intake of dates to deal with various health conditions, such as:
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- Relieve from constipation
Dates are a laxative food that helps you relieve constipation. To achieve the best results, you should soak dates in water overnight and then eat them the next morning. The soluble fibres available in dates promote healthy bowel movements, assisting a comfortable passage of food through the intestinal tract.
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- Strengthen bone health
Minerals like calcium, copper, selenium, manganese, and magnesium are available in dates to help you strengthen bone health and reduce the chances of osteoporosis. Generally, aging people complain of weakness in bones, so they should regularly take dates to resist the effects of osteoporosis.
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- Control intestinal disorders
The dates greatly resolve intestinal disorders as they can check the growth of pathological organisms. Dates’ nutritional elements can stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestines. Its insoluble and soluble fibers can regulate amino acids and other nutrients extracted from the food products you eat.
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- Treat anemia
The high mineral content, including iron found in dates, is very effective in treating anemia. Moreover, the health benefits of dates are achieved by strengthening the immune system, decreasing the feelings of fatigue and balancing mineral levels in the body.
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- Improve the nervous system’s health
Dates are helpful in boosting the health and functionality of the nervous system. The minerals like potassium and magnesium promote a healthy and responsive nervous system. Also, this fruit is known for improving the speed and alertness of brain activity. This is why many children’s foods claim to have dates that can improve the nervous system and sharpen their minds.
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- Boost sex power
Research studies have proved that dates can boost your sexual stamina. Take them with a glass of lukewarm milk, honey and cardamom every night to increase your sexual endurance. Moreover, dates’ nutrition can help you reduce the chances of sterility and erectile dysfunction.
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- Other health benefits of dates
There are some more health benefits that you can achieve with regular intake of dates. These benefits may include:
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- Reduce allergies
- Encourage weight gain
- Promote healthy heart
- Reduce the risk of abdominal cancer
- Diagnose night blindness
- Lower alcoholic intoxication
- Treat diarrhea
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