The benefits of dates include relief from constipation,
intestinal disorders, heart problems, anemia, sexual dysfunctions, diarrhea,
abdominal cancer, and many other conditions. Dates are also good for gaining
weight. They are rich in several vitamins, minerals and fiber too. These
delicious fruits contain oil, calcium, sulfur, 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.
The massive health benefits of dates have made them one of
the best ingredients for muscle development. People consume dates in several
ways, such as mixing the paste of the dates with milk, yogurt or with bread or
butter to make them even more delicious. The paste is beneficial for both
adults and children, especially during a time of recovery from injury or
illness.
According to a modern medical survey, it is now accepted
that dates are useful in preventing abdominal cancer. Muslims break their fast
by eating dates and water according to their cultural traditions. Breaking fast
by eating dates helps avoid overeating of food once the fast is over. When the
body begins to absorb the high nutritional value of the dates, feelings of
hunger are pacified. Also, the nervous system can get a lot of help from
consuming dates, since they have significant amounts of potassium.
Dates are one of the best sweet and versatile foods that can
regulate the digestive process. It can significantly boost energy levels in
people within half an hour of consuming it. The American Cancer Society
recommends an intake of 20-35 grams of dietary fiber per day, which can be
supplied through dates. It is also said that taking one date per a day will
help you to maintain your eye health all your life. They are commonly known to
be quite effective in guarding against the problem of night blindness.
Nutritional Value Of Dates
Dates are a good source of various vitamins and minerals.
Its also a good source of energy, sugar and fiber. Essential minerals such as
calcium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, magnesium and zinc can be found
in dates. It also contains vitamins such as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin,
folate, vitamin A and vitamin K.
Health Benefits Of Dates
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 dates, you
should soak some of them in water over night, then consume it in the morning when
it becomes like a syrup, to get the most optimal results. Dates have high
levels of soluble fiber, 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 insoluble and soluble fibers, 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.
Anemia: 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 anemia.
The high level of iron balances out the inherent lack of iron in anemic
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 sulfur 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 sulfur 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 sulfur 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 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 of 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 over night, 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.
Diarrhea: Ripe dates contain potassium, which is known as an
effective way of controlling diarrhea. They are also easy to digest, which
further helps alleviate the unpredictable nature of chronic diarrhea. The
soluble fiber in dates can also help relieve diarrhea, 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.
