Table of Contents
10 Proven Health Benefits Of Dates, A Forgotten Fruit
Health Benefits of Dates are just amazing. A date is a palm tree fruit. It is chewy in texture and sweet in taste. It is sticky and brown. This is one of the oldest cultivated fruits in the world.
This fruit is perfect because it gives many of the essential nutrients a person needs to stay healthy. Dates are easy to digest. So, even these can be introduced as the first solid food for toddlers.
Dates In History
Date fruit fossils indicate that this chewy, pulpy, and brown fruit is 50 million years old. These were originally cultivated in North Africa and Egypt.
When some missionaries went to preach in those remote areas, they brought these palm trees to the USA. It was the late 18th century or early 19th century.
The Egyptians cultivated dates to make wine. But it was not the only reason for its cultivation, its health benefits were very popular, and everybody knew.
This amazing fruit is also found in Greek mythology. They used to call it the eternal Phoenix. It was famous as the fruit of fortune and fertility.
How Does the Bible Describe Dates?
This glorified palm tree is entitled with beauty. There are many places in the Bible where you find references to dates. It comes from a tree that is harvested in summer or at the end of autumn.
Palm trees and dates are very sacred. There are many verses where the Bible has highlighted the glory of this old fruit. “Good people will prosper like palm trees, and they will grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon, he shall flourish like a cedar in Lebanon.” Psalms 92:12.
In another place, the Bible has described people as, “Thy stature resembles a palm tree . . . “. Song Of Solomon 7:78.
The Bible uses palm trees for dates. It describes the children who entered the deserts from Egypt. They found these and ate them. Actually, it all describes God’s mercy on His children.
Is It A Sacred Fruit?
Nutritional Value
Dates are packed with multiple nutrients. It is known for its fibers and antioxidant nature. Experts believe that this palm tree fruit is heavenly. It helps with many of different health issues. This miraculous fruit has the following nutritional value of 100 g dates:
| Nutrients | Nutritional Values |
| Calories | 282 |
| Fats | 0.4g |
| Carbohydrates | 75g |
| Protein | 2.5g |
| Sugar | 63g |
| Iron | 10% |
| Vitamin B6 | 5% |
| Potassium | 556mg |
| Magnesium | 10% |
| Fiber | 8g |
Health Benefits Of Dates
The Health benefits of dates are super amazing. They are powerhouses of energy. A date stands out as the most high-profile nutritional fruit in the world. Its fibers are soluble and give you instant energy.
Many experts suggest consuming them after your workout. They will recharge your energy instantly. Furthermore, a date can provide you with robust health.
However, these are very nutritious. So, they provide you with vigorous health. The modern world has realized the important nutritional and health benefits.
1. Enriched Nutrients
This sticky, chewy, brown fruit is enriched with all the basic nutrients. So, it alone can fulfill your body requirements. You do not need to add it to any other food with it. It is very tasty and easily digested.
Many nutritionists believe that this is considered to be the perfect first solid food for toddlers.
2. Multiple Antioxidants
Dates are full of various antioxidants. As you know, antioxidants release free radicals from your body. So, they can protect from different kinds of diseases such as cancer.
Antioxidants may also help to improve your skin health.
3. Heart Health And Regulates Blood Sugar
Various studies have made it crystal clear that dates improve your heart health. It regulates your blood sugar. Plus, it decreases fat levels in the blood.
4. Dates Improve Your Brain Health
Dates contain Vitamin B6 and choline that are responsible for your brain health. They provide instant energy in the form of soluble glucose that improves brain function. Dates are known as a great brain food!
Dates are nevertheless important in helping you to improve your memory. A study has found that the patients with Alzheimer’s show improvement if they consume dates. Dates also help to improve sleeping disorders. You can consume it even to cut down your stress.
5. Help And Ease Labor
Is that surprising to you? Some studies have shown the if you eat 7 dates daily in your last month, it ripens your cervix. This leads to ease in labor. It happens because dates are full of fibers and antioxidants. Plus it helps the production of estrogens and progesterone that lead to this ripening.
6. Natural Dessert
It’s true that dates contain a high sugar level. But these are natural sugars such as glucose, fructose, and sucrose. A general myth about dates is that it is high in sugar, so it is not good to have. But the fact is the natural fruit sugars are better than processed sugars.
Its soft, chew, caramel-like sweet taste can make it an incredible dessert. Multiple recipes are prepared with dates. As high in protein with very low fat makes it a good option for people on diet.
7. Improves Bowel Movement
Yes, for sure date’s most incredible characteristic is its laxative property. As enriched with soluble fiber, it improves your bowel movements. It relieves constipation. The date is the best natural body detox.
8. Builds Immunity
This palm tree fruit is famous as an amazing natural immunity booster. So, if you consume a suggested amount of dates daily, it helps you fight against diseases. It is essential to include in kids’ diets.
9. Anti-inflammatory
Multiple nutrients in dates have anti-inflammatory benefits.
10. Treat Anemia
A good source of iron helps you to treat your anemic conditions. Generally, moms-to-be suffer from iron deficiency. So, if they have a precise regular intake of dates, they can treat their anemic conditions naturally.
How To Use Dates?
So, now this is the question, how to use dates? You can eat them as they are since they are very sweet in taste. You can have dates as a substitute for sugar in different recipes. You can have it in different smoothies. You can blend them with oatmeal.
Recipes With Dates
Following are some of the recipes with dates:
Nabeez
This is an ancient Arabian drink. You can prepare this enriched protein water as follows:
- Take 11-12 well-ripened pitted dates.
- Now soak them in a glass with plain water.
- Soak it at night, as it has to be consumed on an empty stomach.
- In the morning, either you blend it and drink, or you can drink the water or eat the soaked dates.
Date Balls
Date balls are usually known as energy balls. These are good options instead of regular junk snacks. It is very simple and easy to make .
- Take a cup of pitted dates.
- Now mash them with the help of a fork, or hand masher.
- Make your palms greasy.
- Divide dates into equal portions.
- Now, give them a smooth ball shape.
- The date ball is ready.
- You can grate coconut and roll these balls into grated coconut.
- Store these balls in a glass jar.
Dates In Talbina, A Famous Traditional Arabic Food
Talbina is an ancient traditional food. It is prepared with ground barley, milk, and dates. People used to eat it as a strengthening food for the heart. It can help with sadness, depression, or any other stress.
Ingredients
- Milk 2 liters
- Barley Grains or Flour 1/2 cup
- Honey 2 tablespoon
- Dates 15-20 dates
Method
- In a pan with a heavy bottom, add milk into this pan.
- Now put this pan on the stove on medium flame.
- Boil milk.
- Add barley and give it a quick stir, to avoid lumps.
- Let the mixture simmer.
- Continue stirring in between.
- Soak dates before to make them tender.
- Remove seeds and put them into the mixture of barley.
- Cook until you get the desired consistency.
- Take it off the flame.
- Now at this stage add honey.
- Let it come at room temperature then serve it in a bowl and garnish with nuts and just drizzle honey on the top.
- A perfect nutritious meal is ready. It is suitable for all family members.
Bottom Line
The health benefits of dates are incredible. As this is one of the most nutritious fruit available on the planet earth. It is enriched with protein with almost zero fats. It contains vitamins, minerals, digestive fiber, and soluble natural sugars. It is an instant source of energy. Instead of consuming unhealthy junk instant energy bars, switch over to these healthy snacks.
