Dates - As A Perfect Food

Wow! Dates are fats and cholesterol free! 

Dates are referred as a perfect food, they belong from fruits family and has a vital role in body building and mechanism. Dates are having importance in Muslim culture because they break their fast by eating dates and water which prevents them from overeating after the fast is over. 

They contain a heap of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals plus they contains a huge amount of dietary fiber.  American Cancer Society recommends that a person should consume 20-35 grams of dietary fiber a day. It can be soluble or insoluble. Insoluble fiber increases the rate at which food moves through the digestive system. Soluble fiber may help control diabetes by decreasing elevated blood glucose levels. Soluble fiber also had been found to help lower serum cholesterol levels.

Nutritional Importance of Dates

Dates are one of the best sweet and versatile foods that can regulate the digestive process. They are energy dense and they can boost energy levels in people after half an hour of having it. Dates yield energy, sugar, fiber, various vitamins (such as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, vitamin A and vitamin K) and minerals such as calcium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, magnesium and zinc.

Health Benefits of Dates

Constipation:

Dates are listed among laxative foods, therefore, they are highly recommended to consume by the people suffering from severe constipation. But to get the desired laxative effect of dates, you should soak some of them in water overnight, then consume it in the morning when it becomes soften enough due letting in a lot of water. The remaining water is also effective. Dates contain plenty of soluble fiber, which gives relief in constipation by promoting healthy bowel movements and the comfortable passage of food through the Gastrointestinal tract.

Energy Booster:

The rate of natural sugars such as glucose, fructose, and sucrose are very high in dates. Therefore, they are flawless snack for an instant burst of energy. People round the globe, when they feel sluggish or lethargic they prefer dates as an afternoon snack to overcome such laziness. It is recommended that if you ever feel exhausted at home or at the gym due to any vigorous activity, chewing few dates at such times helps to regain your energy immediately.

Weight Gain: 

Dates consist of sugar, proteins and many essential vitamins. They provide bulk to the body if dates are consumed daily, you can keep your weight at a balanced level. One kilogram of dates contains almost 3,000 calories, and the calories in dates are sufficient to meet the daily requirements for a human body. Besides a person’s diet should be consisting just dates in a long day. But if you want to gain your weight, or if you want to build your muscles to impress someone, or you have become weak due to a serious medical problem – all you need is to eat dates!

Nervous System Health: 

Vital vitamins present in dates improves nervous system health and its functioning. Potassium has a key role in promoting a healthy and responsive nervous system and it is abundant in dates. Also, it improves the speed and makes brain activity sharper. Therefore, dates are delightful food for people whose nervous system becomes sluggish or unsupported due to aging or any other reason, as well as for people who want to keep their mind sharp.

Healthy Heart: 

According to the hadith Dates (specially Ajwa Dates) are very helpful in keeping your heart healthy. Even the powder of seeds of Ajwa dates are recommended for people with weak hearts. Dates are also a rich source of potassium, which studies have shown to reduce the risk of stroke and other heart-related diseases. Additionally, they are suggested as a healthy and delicious way to reduce the levels of LDL cholesterol in the body, which is a major contributing factor of heart diseases.