Dates are nutritious and valuable edible fruits obtained from certain types of date palms. Regular consumption of dates has a beneficial effect on health.
Date palms are native to Mesopotamia, where evidence of the cultivation of this tree has been found 4000 years BC. Due to their high yields, date palms have served as a staple food in the Middle East and North African countries for several millennia.
Currently, more than one and a half thousand varieties of dates have been bred. The main producers are Arab countries. Date palms are also grown in Mexico, Australia, South Africa, the Mediterranean, Asia and the southern United States.
Useful substances contained in dates
Date palm fruits contain the whole complex of amino acids, pectin and dietary fiber. Dates are also rich in vitamins and minerals, including B-complex, niacin, tocopherol, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium.
In addition, dates hold the record for the content of natural sugars that quickly replenish the spent energy. The high sugar content makes dates high in calories. According to various estimates, the energy value of dates ranges from 220 to 280 kilocalories per 100 grams.
Due to the high nutritional value of the fruits of the date palm, it is believed that a person can live for several years, eating only dates and water. Apparently, our ancestors adhered to similar views, because dried dates were often used as a food source on long hikes and travels. Ancient hermits also ate dates.
Useful properties of dates
Due to its high potassium content, dates are most beneficial for people suffering from cardiovascular diseases. They stimulate the work of the heart, restore lost strength and rid the body of excess water. Dietary fibers, which are rich in dates, improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, normalize cholesterol levels and remove toxic substances from the body.
The regular presence of dates in the diet has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin, hair and teeth, prevents the development of eye diseases, improves physical and mental performance, improves mood and increases the body's defenses. In ancient times, it was also believed that the fruits of the date palm have aphrodisiac properties.
Who Shouldn't Eat Dates
Since the consumption of dates causes a rapid rise in blood sugar levels, diabetics should limit the amount of these fruits in their diet. In addition, dates can exacerbate stomach ulcers and gastritis.
