Their actual place of origin is unknown because it has been cultivated
for a very long time from now, but it is assumed that it is native to
Iraq. Currently it is being grown in northern Africa, southwest Asia,
Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Egypt, Pakistan, Italy, Spain,
California and Mexico. In the Gulf States it is consumed as a staple
food.
The scientific name for date palm is Phoenix dactylifera, meaning Tree of Life. In Islam the date is known as the fruit of heaven.
Packed in it are multi-vitamins and other essential nutrients that are
vital for a healthy body. You can find vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin E,
riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, folic acid, copper, iron, zinc,
potassium, magnesium and manganese.
Boosts Energy
Dates are
ideal for people who are doing extensive workouts. The high contents of
vitamins and minerals work as energy boosters for your body. They are
the best source of carbohydrates and dietary fibers.
Constipation Relief
Dates are known for curing constipation because of their laxative
properties. All you need to do is take few dates and soak them in water
over night. Consume these soaked dates in the morning empty stomach. The
water soluble dietary fibers are the key contents that are beneficial
for giving relief in constipation.
Good for Heart
Dates
help to keep your heart healthy. They can fortify your heart if consumed
twice a week. For best results soak them overnight and consume in the
morning. Their high potassium contents can save you from strokes.
The dietary fibers found in dates are also very helpful in lowering bad
cholesterol by decreasing its absorption by the body and eliminating it
quickly from the body.
Helps in Weight Gain
If you are
over slim and want to gain weight then dates are meant for you. It
contains sugar, fats and proteins essential for increasing the mass of
the body. You can get 3000 calories from 1kg of dates. Make a paste of
half cucumber and 4 to 5 dates and consume it daily to solve the problem
of over slimming.
Resolves Intestinal Disorders
Dates are
beneficial for curing intestinal disorders because of the nicotinic
contents found in them. It also inhibits the growth of infectious
bacteria in the small and large intestine and helps to increase the
growth of friendly bacteria.
Diarrhea
Dates are abundant in potassium which is beneficial for treating diarrhea. Dates also facilitate digestion.
Abdominal Cancer
You can find plenty of anti-cancer agents and antioxidants in dates
that work as powerful fighters against various types of cancer,
especially the abdominal cancer. These cancer fighting agents protects
your body from harmful effects of free radicals. For patients with
abdominal cancers it can prove to be a tonic without any side effect.
Effective for Pregnant Women
Pregnant women should add dates to their diet as they are very
beneficial for the growth of the fetus. According to some researches
there are some stimulants found in dates that are effective for
strengthening the uterus muscles. They can be very helpful for
preventing post delivery excessive bleeding and cervical dilation.
Breast feeding mothers should also consume dates as they can be very nutritious for their babies.
Anemia
The high iron contents found in dates can prove to be a cure for anemic
patients. Regular consumption of dates can increase your hemoglobin
levels.
Improves Vision
Dates are helpful in improving vision and also save you from night blindness.
Storage and consumption
Always choose fresh, lustrous and unwrinkled dates. Keep them in the
refrigerator in an airtight jar or Ziploc bag. Avoid choosing dates with
sticky surface as they may contain impurities. It is also recommended
to thoroughly wash them before consuming; this will remove all the
impurities from them.
You can use them in baking and other
desserts. For breakfast you can make date milk shake, make it with other
fruits like banana and strawberry and you can omit sugar. You can even
mix some dates in yogurt to sweeten it.
