Useful Properties Of Dates

In many Arab countries, date palms (dates) are considered a health-preserving and longevity fruit, a staple food, such as rice for Southeast Asia. They are used in various diseases - purulent wounds, inflammation, even in sexually transmitted diseases. But in these cases, more often helped unripe fruit - red-yellow, with a pungent taste.

Nutritional value

Their nutritional value is amazing: they contain vitamins A, E, B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, selenium, iron and essential amino acids that are missing in other fruits. They are high in calories (281 kcal per 100 grams), contain a lot of protein and fat, carbohydrates and dietary fiber, so many people prone to gaining weight are afraid to include them in their diet. Of course, you should not overeat with these sweet fruits, but they can hardly be a cause of obesity. On the contrary, many nutritionists recommend them as a substitute for candy, cakes and other treats.

Health benefits from eating dates

Consumption of dates supports the work of the heart because they contain a lot of potassium; they support the liver and kidneys, normalize the acid balance in the body, create a favorable environment for the development of beneficial gastric microflora. Also: strengthen the immune system, are useful for anemia, cough, viral infections, are used as a restorative agent after a long illness. Many scientists believe that regular consumption of date palm fruit can be a prophylaxis against cancer.

Consuming 5-6 dates a day is a great way to get enough fiber for the day. Although there are thousands of products high in fiber, the interesting thing is that modern people take quite a few of these so important compounds! Fiber improves digestion and contributes to regular bowel movements, which, although a bit of an awkward topic, is a serious problem in modern society. Fiber also feeds good intestinal bacteria, it also slows down the absorption of carbohydrates, maintaining stable blood sugar levels, for this reason, dates also have a low glycemic index.

Dates help brain function by lowering inflammatory markers in the brain. These inflammations are one of the main causes of diseases such as Alzheimer's.
A study found that dates also improved memory. The properties for this are attributed to antioxidants and flavonoids in the fruit.
However, more research is needed to confirm the theory.

You know that high consumption of refined sugars these days is a big problem. If you want, you can replace sugar with dates, thus, in addition to sweetness, you will provide a lot of useful properties.
You can replace 1 cup of sugar with 1 cup of date paste. It is important to note that even with healthier sugars, dessert still contains a lot of calories, so you should not eat dates without restrictions.

Date palm fruits are especially useful for pregnant and lactating women because they contain special substances that strengthen the muscles of the uterus. This makes childbirth easier, the uterus shrinks more easily, and postpartum hemorrhage stops much faster.

During breastfeeding, dates provide complete nutrition for the baby because they enrich breast milk with useful substances. Children breastfed with such milk are healthier and their body's defenses are higher.

• The list of useful qualities continues: tones, eliminates fatigue, has a good effect on facial nerve palsy.
• For those suffering from hypertension, if their blood sugar level is normal, doctors recommend 50-100 grams of fruit half an hour before breakfast.
• The substances in the product help in the prevention of depression, which is a common companion of pregnant women and young mothers. They are also useful for children with unbalanced psyche.
• In the homeland of dates, they are considered a medicinal food: the Arabs consume them not only with fresh and yogurt, but also with bread, fish and butter. This combination perfectly satisfies, helps the brain work and gives physical strength.
• Another useful property is the mild soporific effect. The amino acid tryptophan, contained in date fruits, is converted into serotonin in the body - a hormone of good mood; and melatonin, the sleep hormone.

Contraindications:

People who have kidney stones or a tendency to migraine are advised to consume less of the fruit; and those who have diseases of the stomach and intestines, should take the fruits of the date palm cooked, as well as any dried fruit (in the form of compote, for example).

Dates leave a sweet plaque on the teeth, so they can lead to the formation of caries, you just need to clean your teeth and this problem will be avoided. In this case, the teeth will become healthier because the fruit contains calcium and fluoride - elements of particular importance for their strength.

How to consume dates?

You certainly don't need many ideas, but we will give you some suggestions on how to include dates in your menu.

You can add them to your oatmeal, cut into pieces and add to a cake, make a "sandwich" of dates with nuts and soft cheese.

As they are very sticky, you can puree them and use them in various healthy bars, nut cakes, energy snacks and raw candies.