Tuesday 1 September 2009

Dates - The ultimate superfood?!

Health benefits from eating dates in your daily diet are too many to mention, this amazing fruit is plentiful in natural fibre. Dates contain oil, calcium, sulphur, iron, potassium, phosphorous, manganese, copper and magnesium which are advantageous for health. They are even rich in several vitamins and minerals. It is said that one date is a minimum requirement for a balanced and healthy diet and can help in fighting constipation, intestinal disorders, weight gain, heart problems, sexual weakness, diarrhoea and abdominal cancer.

According to modern medical surveys, it is known that dates are useful in preventing abdominal cancer. It is also known that many Muslims break their fast by eating dates and water according to their traditions. Breaking a fast by eating dates helps to avoid overeating of food. When the body absorbs the nutritional value of the dates, the feeling of hunger is pacified.
Dates give extra energy to a tired human body within half an hour after taking it and provide excellent nourishment for muscles.
Cancer Societies recommend an intake of 20-35 grams of dietary fibre in a day, which can be supplied through dates. It is said that taking one date in a day will help you to maintain healthy eyes throughout your lifetime.
Ailments that can be rectified or relieved by date consumption.
Constipation: A date is termed to be a laxative food. This is the reason that dates are beneficial for people suffering from constipation. For getting the most laxative effect from dates, you need to soak dates for one full night in water. You should consume these soaked dates in the morning like syrup to maximize their qualities.
Intestinal Disorders: The nicotinic content that is present in the dates is said to be beneficial for curing any kind of intestinal disorder. Continuous intake of dates helps to maintain a check on the growth of the pathological organisms and thus, helps in the rise of friendly bacteria in the intestines.

Weight Gain: Dates are said to be a part of a healthy diet. They consist of sugar, fats, proteins as well as essential vitamins. One kilogram of dates contains almost 3,000 calories. These calories alone are sufficient to meet the daily requirements of a human body. [this is not a reccomendation that dates should be used as a daily 'sole food source']
Heart Health: Dates are quite helpful in maintaining your heart in healthy condition. When soaked overnight and crushed in the morning and consumed, they can be beneficial for weak hearts. They help to fortify the heart, if taken regularly.

Sexual Weakness: Dates are even beneficial for increasing sexual stamina in the human body. A handful of dates, when soaked in Rice or Soya milk overnight, then grinded in the same milk with the mixture of cardamom powder and honey, becomes a very useful tonic for increasing sex endurance and sterility due to functional disorders.

Diarrhoea: Ripe dates contain potassium. Potassium is beneficial for controlling diarrhoea. They are easily digestible, which helps the gut cope with the problems associated with diarrhoea.

Intoxication: Dates are known as an excellent remedy for alcoholic intoxication. Dates provide quick relief in the event of alcoholic intoxication. They should be rubbed and soaked overnight for getting more nutrition value from them.














Abdominal Cancer: Dates are a beneficial aid in preventing and treatment of abdominal cancer. They work as a useful tonic for all age groups. They work more effectively than medicines, are natural and do not bear any side effects in the body. They can be easily digested and used for supplying extra and needed energy.
Although dates carry tremendous nutritional values, great care should be taken in their selection because they consist of a sticky surface which can attract various impurities in them. Hence, you should consume only those dates that are prepared, handled and packed well, i.e no additional sugars or coatings (check for ingredients: Dates 100%).


Washing the dates before consuming, will help to remove any impurities present in them.

Note: Fresh dates are highly recommended over Dried Dates. See the following website for details,

WEBSITE FOR FRESH DATES: www.freshdates.org.uk/

WEBSITE FOR ADDITIONAL DIETARY ADVICE: www.feelgoodagain.co.uk/

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