The dates relief from constipation, intestinal disorders, heart problems, anemia, sexual dysfunctions, diarrhea, abdominal cancer, and many other conditions. Dates also help for a healthy weight gain. They are rich in several vitamins, minerals, and fiber. 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 date per day is necessary for a balanced and healthy diet.
From the time it was discovered, which was thousands of years ago, dates were known to have healing powers. And while science has proved that for sure, we love to eat them mostly because of how delicious these dark fruits are. According to history, date palm is known to have come from what is now Iraq, however Egyptians were known to have made wine with dates a lot earlier as well.
Thanks to trade, dates traveled to southwest Asia, Spain, northern Africa, and were later also taken to Mexico and California. Today it continues to be one of the most important ingredients in Middle Eastern cuisine. While there are at least 30 kinds of dates that are found around the world, they pretty much fall under three broad types - soft, semi-dry, and dry, and the differentiation is made according to the glucose, sucrose, and fructose content.
One of the most coveted dates incidentally are found at The Gaza Strip, as their produce is known to be exceptionally red, and sweet. Some of the other popular varietals are the Zaghloul, found exclusively in Egypt. It has a dark red skin, is longish in structure, and crunchy in texture. It's also quite high on the sweetness scale. The Sukkary from Saudi Arabia is one of the most expensive kinds of dates. It has a dark brown skin, a soft flesh, and uniquely sweet. And then there's the Khadrawy, a soft and dark date that's also quite popular among the Arabs. And this is just the beginning; it's said that Iraq has more than 100 kinds of dates available!
Some health benefits of dates:
Improve Digestive Health
Dates contain a bunch of soluble fibers. Soluble fiber is essential for good digestive health because it draws water into the digestive tract. This helps relieve constipation. The potassium found in dates can also treat upset stomachs and diarrhea. They are a digestive tract balancer that is symbolized by their brown color (brown foods are always great for digestion). Dates also strengthen good bacteria in the stomach!
Treat and Prevent Anemia
Anemia is a common issue amongst most people. I have been anemic from time to time. Dates are an excellent source of iron, so they help treat anemia. Anemia can leave one feeling exhausted. Boost iron levels with dates!
Bone, Blood and Immune System Health
Dates contain magnesium, manganese, and selenium. Diets rich in selenium are known to prevent cancer. These minerals are also necessary for keeping our bones and blood strong and healthy. Keep bones strong by adding dates to one’s diet. They taste great!
Energy Boost
Dates are filled with natural sugars. These include fructose, sucrose, and glucose. This makes them a perfect afternoon snack if one needs a quick energy boost. Skip the energy bar and eat a couple of dates instead. The fiber in the dates keeps power up without the crash one would typically experience from any other sweet treat.
Heart Health
The potassium found in dates reduce stroke risk and adding dates to one’s diet can lower LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol.