The Holy Qur'an in a number of verses honoured the date as one of the blessings of Paradise ( the features of the date are noted in Surah Maryam). The dates today are given preference as a food not only for its delicious taste but also for its nutritious properties.
The date fruit is one of the oldest cultivated tree crops, and has been grown for thousands of years. Many people eat dates whole, or chop them up for dessert purposes. Often, dates are stuffed with either sweet or savoury fillings and served as appetisers at Middle Eastern meals. In the Middle East, dates are frequently made into a paste which can be combined with other fruits and turned into candies or used to decorate food. They can be chopped into tiny slices and spread all over cakes and puddings to enhance their tastes.
Many Muslims break their fast by eating dates and water according to their traditions. Breaking fast with eating dates helps us to avoid overeating of the food after the fast. When the body absorbs the nutritional value of the dates, the feeling of hunger gets pacified. Some of the benefits of the vitamins and minerals in dates to the normal human body are discussed here.
RICH IN NUTRIENTS:
Dates are rich in nutrients including minerals and vitamins. There are many benefits of eating dates, as they are free from cholesterol and are very low in fat. Dates are very good source of dietary fiber, protein and are rich in vitamin C, vitamin B1, B2, B3 and B5 and vitamin A1. There are 20 different kinds of amino acids which ease the digestive process. Dates are rich in soluble and insoluble fiber.
Researchers has revealed that dates contain high levels of vitamin B6, which strengthens the nerves, and hence reduces stress and tension. A person can meet his magnesium requirement which is very important for the kidneys by eating just 2-3 grains of date a day
The vitamin B1 in dates facilitates the health of the nervous system, assists the transformation of the carbohydrates in the body into energy and the use of protein and fats to meet the body's needs. Vitamin B2 assists in the burning of protein, carbohydrates and fats for the provision of bodily energy and cell renewal.
The dates contains vitamin 'A' that improve vision and bodily resistance and strengthen the teeth and bones. Dates are also especially rich in beta-carotene. Beta-carotene helps prevent cancer by controlling molecules that attack the cells.
GREAT ENERGY BOOSTER:
Dates are considered to be one of the best energy boosting snacks as they are power-packed with 29 grams of natural sugars such as glucose, fructose and sucrose. They also contain 31 grams of carbohydrate and 3 grams of dietary fiber. These qualities of dates make them the rightful candidate for boosting energy. Adding dates in milk can be a very nutritious snack for both kids and adults.
LOW IN CALORIES:
Dates have a very low calorie count; around 23 calories for a single date fruit. That is why it is also suitable for health conscious people.
RICH IN POTASSIUM AND LOW IN SODIUM:
The large quantities of potassium in dates are of great importance they regulate the water balance in the body. Moreover, by helping oxygen to reach the brain potassium enables one to think clearly. In addition, it provides the appropriate alkaloidal features for body fluids and stimulates the kidneys to expel toxic bodily wastes. It helps bring down high blood pressure and the formation of healthy skin.
The calcium and phosphate in dates are important elements for skeletal growth and balancing the body's bone structure. The high levels of phosphorus and calcium in dates protect the body against bone weakness and help reduce such disorders.
RELIEVE STOMACH PROBLEMS:
Dates are also beneficial for people suffering from stomach problems. People suffering from the condition of colitis can opt for having dates on daily basis. It helps to bind your stomach and helps to aids the digestion process. Date juice can also be opted for this purpose.
Dates are very good for gastric problems in the body. Having dates on daily basis can help with problems of heart burn. Having dates after lunch or dinner can also help to control your acidity problem.
Dates are good for constipation problem. Having date juice on daily basis can help people with chronic constipation. Dates are rich in source of fiber, so they also act as a laxative in natural form.
RICH IN IRON:
Dates are rich in sources of iron and can be taken on daily basis. It's good for people suffering from the condition of anemia. It helps to increase the haemoglobin level of body. Date juice can also be taken in morning for maximum advantage for curing of anemia. The iron contained in dates controls the synthesis of haemoglobin in the red blood cells. A person can meet his or her iron requirements by eating just 15 dates a day and will thus be protected from disorders arising from iron deficiency.
PREVENT FROM DISEASES:
In addition, unlike dates, other fruits are generally lacking in protein Thus dates enable the body to protect itself against illness and infection, to renew cells and ensure fluid balance.
Having dates on daily basis can also help to prevent from diseases like cancer. Even people suffering from diabetes can include dates in their daily diet plan, its good to keep the blood sugar level of body in control.
Dates are also good for people who suffer from heart problems. Dates prevent blood pressure from dropping by increasing body sugar level. Their high calorific value strengthens people weakened by illness or suffering from extreme fatigue.
Dates also contain a form of sugar that gives the body high levels of mobility and heat energy and which can be easily broken down in the body. Furthermore, this sugar is not glucose, which rapidly raises the level of blood sugar but the fruit sugar fructose. A rapid rise in blood sugar levels in diabetics in particular has a damaging effect on a great many organs and systems, especially the eyes, kidneys, heart and circulatory system and nervous system. High blood sugar is one of the main causes of disorders as serious as loss of sight, heart attacks and kidney insufficiency.
The substance oxytocin, which is present in the date, is used in modern medicine to facilitate birth. In fact, oxytocin means "rapid birth." It is also known to increase levels of mother's milk after birth. The nutritional value of dates stems from the appropriate mineral balance within them.
The date also contains folic acid, a B vitamin of great importance to expected monthers. Folic acid (B9) is a vitamin which serves important functions in the construction of new blood cells and of amino acids, the body's building blocks, and in cell renewal. Folic acid plays a particularly important role in cell division and in the formation of the genetic structure of the cell.
It is said that taking one date in a day will help you to maintain your healthy eyes for your lifetime. They are quiet effective in guarding the night blindness problems.