Dates: Nutritious Desert Fruit with Health Benefits

 

Dates are dry soft fruits with a sweet and delicious taste, which come from the date palm trees that grow in the desert.

Date palm is among the most ancient fruit trees that have been grown in the Middle East and the Indus valley for thousands of years. It was considered as the staple food of people living in those areas many years ago. Date palm was later introduced to different parts of the world starting from South East Asia, Northern Africa, Spain, Italy, and Mexico, and then to the United States during the eighteenth century.

 

Dates are of endless varieties. It can be classified as soft, semi-soft and dry dates. Like other fruit, dates are seasonal products and therefore the supply of fresh dates is always limited. Dates can also be used as ‘survival food’ on long trips or on hiking as it contains lots of nutrients, which boost the energy level, and it is easy to carry and ready to eat.

Nutritional Values of Dates:

Date fruits contain lots of nutrient such as vitamins and minerals for normal growth, health and well-being.

Amount per 100 grams:

 Calories 282
 Total fat 0.4g
 Saturated fat 0g
 Polyunsaturated fat 0g
 Monounsaturated fat 0g
 Cholesterol 0 mg
 Sodium 3 mg
 Potassium 964 mg
 Total carbohydrate 110 g
 Dietary fiber 12 g
 Sugar 93 g
 Protein 3.6 g
 Vitamin A 0%
 Vitamin C 1%
 Calcium 5%
 Iron 8%
 Vitamin B-6  10%
 Vitamin B-12  0%
 Magnesium 15%

Health Benefits of Dates

 Diet Balancing: Dates are rich in dietary fiber that free us from cholesterol and contain very low fat that result in weight loss. It also helps in keeping weight at a normal and balanced level for diet conscious people.

 Prevent Digestive Problems: Fresh dates are soft and easily digestible. It helps improve your digestive system as it contains soluble and insoluble fibers and different types of amino acids.

 Keeps your Heart Healthy: Dates have high source of potassium and low level of sodium that keep your nervous system and heart healthy.
 

 Prevent Anemia: The high iron content in the fruit is beneficial for those suffering from anemia and boosts the amount of iron in their blood.

 Reduce Constipation: Dates are a healthy laxative food item that can prevent chronic constipation. Soaking dates overnight in water and having it with water reduces constipation.
 

 Cures Eyesight Problem: It helps to improve your eyesight and reduces the chances of getting night blindness.
 

 Energy Booster: Dates contain natural sugars like glucose, sucrose and fructose that help in boosting your energy level. It has low calories and it is very suitable for health conscious people.

 Strengthen Bones: Dates strengthen your bones and keep them healthy because they contain selenium, manganese, copper and magnesium.

 Relief from Intoxication: Dates are commonly used as a remedy to cure alcoholic intoxication. You can soak the dates overnight and have the next day toprevent from severe hangovers.
 

 Allergies: Dates contain organic sulfur that helps in reducing allergies in general and seasonal allergies.

 Diarrhea: Ripe dates contain high amount of potassium that is effective in preventing diarrhea.

 Dates and a Healthy Pregnancy: Dates are rich in iron content, so an intake of the fruit by the pregnant mother protects the mother and the baby from anemia. It also preventsseveral problems such as bloatedness, bowel pain and intestinal difficulties that occur in women during pregnancy period. It improves the uterus muscles and smoothens the passage during delivery time. It also prevents hemorrhage soon after childbirth.
 

 Dates for Healthy Hair: Want to have healthy hair? Dates are rich in iron content that promotes healthy circulation of blood flow to your scalp thereby helping healthy hair growth.
 

 Date fruit for Face Pack: Looking for quick tips for a natural face pack? Well, date fruit is the new face pack you can use. First you need to take 5-10 pieces of fresh dates and add half a lemon or orange. Remove the seeds and grind the dates along with lemon or orange till it turns thick like a paste. Before applying wash your face with cold water and apply this as face pack. Keep lightly splashing a little water in the face to prevent the pack from drying up soon and leave the pack for 10-15 minutes. Wash off your face with cold water and use a towel to wipe your face. Try out dates face pack and feel the difference in your appearance.
 

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