By Oluwayemisi Owonikoko
Surely, you have heard of dates, had a glimpse of it, or have had the opportunity of consuming the fruit.
Whichever category you fall in, try tagging along with this article as it contains interesting mines.
Dates date back to almost 5320 BC, and are basically tropical fruits that are grown on date palm trees. It’s scientifically known as Phoenix Dactylifera and is one of the healthiest fruits in the world.
Dates are categorised as dry fruits and have been an important part of West Asian heritage, the Middle East and North Africa. Mainly cultivated in these regions, dates are highly beneficial due to the innate composition of macronutrients and many other healthy elements with high concentrations of natural sugar content.
Dates are rich in fibre and a rich source of protective plant compounds that have antioxidant properties. These include polyphenols, carotenoids and lignans, which have been shown to help manage the risk of chronic disease.
These fruits can be presented in either fresh or dried form. You can tell whether or not dates are dried based on their appearance. Wrinkled skin indicates they are dried, whereas smooth skin indicates freshness.
Depending on the variety, fresh dates are fairly small in size and range in color from bright red to bright yellow.
There are many varieties of dates fruits namely, Ajwa Dates, Ambera Dates, Hayani Dates, Iteema Dates, Kalmi Dates, Khola Dates, Mabroom Dates, Maktoom Dates, Migraf Dates, Saghai Dates, Saidy Dates and Warehouse but the common consumed varieties include Medjool and Deglet Noor dates.
The fruits are chewy with a sweet flavor. They are also high in some important nutrients and have a variety of advantages and uses.
For instance, If you are seeking to reduce the number of health issues you encounter due to the lack of nutrients present in your diet, dates are the one thing that you cannot choose to ignore from your daily diet.
The benefits of dates on health and also on the nutritional values cannot be overemphasised.
Some of the benefits are a follows:
Aids Healthy Bowel Movements:
The fibre content in dates is extremely high, this can be highly beneficial to people who are suffering from health issues caused due to irregular bowel movements as they can aid your digestive health and helps in living a healthy lifestyle.
High Concentration of Antioxidants:
Dates have antioxidants, which are basically compounds that inhibit the process of oxidation and thereby eliminate the dangerous free radicals which can cause a lot of harm to your cells. They also contain components like carotenoids which are known for their ability to significantly promote better heart health.
Dates also contain Flavonoids that benefit the body by helping with multiple issues. Flavonoids are known for their anti-inflammatory properties and their high affinity for helping to reduce the effects of chronic diseases such as diabetes. Flavonoids are also beneficial to your brain and work a lot towards the reduction of the risk for brain degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. There are also indications that prove that Flavonoids can also help in reducing the risk of certain types of cancer too.
Another benefit is the presence of Phenolic acid which has a very good history in reducing the risk of developing cardiac issues and also works a lot in reducing the chances of being inflicted by certain types of cancer.
Improves Brain Functionality:
The regular use of dates has been found to be beneficial in reducing the risk of developing brain degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer as well as reducing issues related to anxiety disorder and also helps in boosting memory and learning.
Facilitates Natural Labour:
Studies have revealed that pregnant women who eat dates regularly have a higher chance of delivering by natural labour as it helps in reducing the pressure that is applied while trying to deliver the baby because the compound in dates has the ability to reduce the need for oxytocin during pregnancy. Dates also have a high concentration of tannins which also helps in facilitating contractions during labour.
Reduces Risk of Cancer:
In-depth studies about dates revealed that the presence of a compound called beta D-glucan in dates is very advantageous in promoting anti-tumor activity within the body. The high concentration of antioxidants in dates also helps in reducing the activities of free radicals (elements that can cause cancer) and thereby reduces the chances of cancer from happening. The daily consumption of dates can significantly reduce the risk of cancer and the occurrence of benign tumours too.
Helps Fight Diabetes:
Diabetes Mellitus is one of the most common diseases around the world. Diabetes is treated using synthetic medicines with a combination of several oral medicines and insulin supplementation.
Dates have the ability to increase the production of insulin and also have several properties that can help reduce the rate of absorption of glucose from the intestine. This can help a lot in reducing the risk that is posed by diabetes. The reduction of glucose absorption will inevitably reduce blood glucose levels that are beneficial for people suffering from diabetes
Can Protect Your Kidneys:
Dates have various properties that can help kidneys stay healthy in difficult circumstances. In a study conducted on Ajwa, a type of date that is mainly found in West Asia, it was found that the fruit can actively reduce the lesions caused by nephrological disorders. Dates extracts can also help reduce excess plasma and creatinine in the kidney which improves the overall health of kidneys.
Can Improve Fertility Among Males:
There are various vitamins and minerals present in the fruit which can help in improving the sperm count and also in increasing the sexual libido in the person. The presence of flavonoids and various amino acids in dates makes sure that the sexual performance of the male is fulfilled with enough energy. The microelements that are constituents of date palm such as estrone and sterols can help improve male fertility by a huge margin.
Promotes Bone Health:
Dates are highly rich in micronutrients such as selenium, manganese, magnesium and copper. These micronutrients help in the development of your bone health. Dates can be one of the most important supplements to your diet if you are suffering from bone problems.
Dates are Excellent Sweeteners
The high content of fructose in dates provides a caramel-like sweetness in the fruit. Substituting white sugar with dates, turned into a paste, can make your meal sweet as well as healthy at the same time.
Adds Strength to Your Nervous System:
The nervous system is basically the communication network that makes the body to function properly. Neurological problems are highly dangerous as they can affect multiple parts of the body at the same time.
Dates are rich in nutrients such as potassium which is very beneficial for neurological health. Foods that are high in potassium make communication between nerve cells easier. The low amount of sodium in dates also reduces the chances of hypertension which in turn will help keep your nerves safe from increased blood pressure.
Reduces the Chance of Getting Night Blindness
The major cause of night blindness is long-term deprivation of vitamin A. Dates are rich in vitamin A and regular consumption of it can ensure that you do not get affected by night blindness in the long run.
With all the numerous benefits of date fruits, why not consider including it in your diet today to enjoy good health.
Additional information from PharmEasy
Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group
pub-5160901092443552
Related Posts
