Dates: benefits and harms to the body

The benefits of dates have been known since time immemorial. Nutritious and high in calories, these fruits can be a healthy alternative to classic desserts. 

The KP, together with an expert, understands what else dates can be useful for, and what is their harm to the body of men, women and children.

History of dates 

In ancient times, it was believed that dates contain all the necessary substances for a person, and, eating only them and water, you can live for several years. The experience of some historical characters, for example, St. Onufry, confirms this.

This plant is native to the Middle East. In the diet of the Arabs, dates were one of the staples. Wild dates were collected in ancient Egypt, images of the process of collecting fruits are found on the walls of tombs. The Babylonians used these fruits to make vinegar and wine. Dates are also highly valued in Islam – they are mentioned 29 times in the Koran. 

The leaves of date palms in Southern Europe are used in religious ceremonies. Palm wine “tari” is prepared from the leaves of the Indian species. 

The benefits of dates 

Dates have the highest percentage of carbohydrates among other fruits – more than 60 percent, but these sugars do not cause much harm to the body. After all, dates also contain acids: niacin, riboflamin, pantothenic. They promote the digestibility of carbohydrates, regulate blood glucose levels. In these fruits, there are 23 more types of various amino acids that are not found in most other fruits.

Course “Master in nail extension” with a 40% discount Dates have a high content of minerals: copper, iron, magnesium, zinc, manganese, potassium, calcium, fluorine and others. As well as vitamins: A, C, B1, B2, B6. Ten dates can satisfy the body’s daily requirement for copper, magnesium and sulfur.

The pectin and dietary fiber found in dates reduce the risk of some cancers and have a beneficial effect on the digestive system. Dates do not contain any cholesterol. The product is low-calorie, despite the high content of carbohydrates, so they are recommended to be used instead of sweets during diets.

Since ancient times, it was believed that the fruits of date palms give strength, endurance, increase life expectancy, enhance the body’s ability to resist various infections. 

– In the recovery period after illness, dates serve as a good tonic and tonic. Fruits are very nutritious, quickly satisfy hunger and saturate the body with useful substances. It is useful to have a snack on them on a long journey or during a hard day to replenish strength and improve brain activity. Alexander Voinov, nutrition and wellness consultant at the WeGym fitness club network.

Due to the high concentration of potassium and magnesium in these fruits, doctors recommend using them for cardiovascular diseases. The presence of selenium in dates reduces the likelihood of developing vascular pathologies.

Composition of dates

Dates harm

With certain diseases, it is worth eating dates with caution. And you should also limit their number in general due to the high content of carbohydrates, so as not to exceed the daily allowance.

Alexander Voynov spoke about this: 

– Dates should be excluded from the diet of diabetics, as these fruits have a high glycemic index, which can cause a sharp increase in blood sugar levels. Also, you can not eat them with fructose intolerance and with serious allergic diseases, so as not to provoke an attack. With fructose intolerance, the body cannot digest it, so after eating dates, bloating and abdominal pain are possible. Sweet fruits can cause tooth decay, so it is recommended to drink dates with liquid or rinse your mouth. 

The use of dates in medicine 

scientist Ilya Mechnikov recommended using dates for intestinal disorders and constipation. Fiber helps to improve the condition of the intestinal microflora. Pectin has enveloping properties that are useful in inflammatory diseases and hyperacidity of the stomach. 

Dates are useful for pregnant and lactating women, as the substances found in fruits contribute to the synthesis of the hormone oxytocin. It strengthens the walls of the uterus and improves labor activity. Oxytocin also has a beneficial effect on the production of breast milk.

In cosmetology, date extract is used as part of various creams and masks. It contains tannin, which restores skin elasticity. In addition, date palm fruit extract has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects due to phytosterols, ursolic acid and triterpene compounds. They maintain skin tone and slow down the aging process. 

Due to their high nutritional value and many useful substances, dates are recommended for people during the recovery period after diseases, during physical exertion, to reduce feelings of fatigue and apathy. Dates improve nervous activity. 

Selenium and magnesium reduce the risk of heart disease, which is extremely beneficial for older people. 

The use of dates in cooking 

Dried and fresh dates are used in cooking. They are often eaten as a dessert for tea, sometimes stuffed with candied fruits and cheeses or covered in chocolate. But in addition to direct consumption, dates are added to dairy products, salads, meat dishes, pastries, special varieties of alcohol and vinegar are prepared from them. 

Cereal bars with dates 

Cereal bars with the addition of any dried fruits, nuts and cereals are an excellent source of vitamins and energy. A convenient take-away snack, as well as a healthy addition to tea, kefir or yogurt. All ingredients can be replaced and others can be added – for example, dried cranberries, flax seeds or puffed rice

Dried fruits pour warm water to lightly cover the fruit, and leave for 10 minutes. Put the dates with all the liquid into a blender (previously removing the bones) and beat into a puree. Finely chop the remaining dried fruits and nuts. Preheat oven to 170 degrees. Place oatmeal on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 10 minutes. Take out and chill. Combine all products in a bowl: baked cereal, date mass, juice and additives. From this mass with wet hands form bars. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes depending on size. For storage, wrap in foil or polyethylene and store in a cool, dark place. 

Milkshake with dates 

Useful snack. It is recommended as a second breakfast, in the evening it is better not to drink a cocktail because of its high sugar content. You can add your favorite berries or cinnamon

Soak dates in warm water and leave for 10 minutes. Then drain the water and remove the seeds from the fruit. Peel banana and cut into pieces. Place the fruit in a blender, pour over the milk and puree until smooth. 

How to choose and store dates

Most often, dates are sold in dried form. The color of the fruit is dark, brown-chocolate. The surface of the fruit should not be covered with bloom or sugar crystals – this may indicate long-term storage or soaking in a sweet solution. If the peel is too shiny, then it is greased, and it will be difficult to assess the degree of quality of the product. Dates that are too shriveled and dry will be tough and less tasty because they have been overdried. 

Dates are stored in an airtight container (for example, in a glass jar) in a dry, dark place. Since dates have a sticky surface, dust can accumulate on them. Fruits should not be kept outdoors for a long time.

Fruits are one of the richest sources of vitamins and minerals. They are often used in various diets, because they are not too high in calories, help dull the feeling of hunger and have the properties of products – “fat burners”

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