Benefits
of Dates Fruit (Khajoor)
Dates are a type of sweet fruit that grows on palm
trees. They have been cultivated since approximately 6000 B.C. They grow on the
tree for six or seven months before they are ripe enough to eat. There are
three main types of dates, which are classified based on the moisture of the
flesh: dry, semi-dry and soft. The health benefits of dates are derived from
the nutrients they provide.
Fresh vs.
Dried Dates
| Fresh Dates | Dried Dates | |
| Shelf life | If kept in an airtight container, stay fresh for up to 8 months if kept refrigerated, or for up to year in the freezer | If refrigerated in an airtight container stay fresh for up to one year, and if in the freezer can last up to five years |
| Calories 100 gm | 144 calories | 317 calories |
| Macronutrients | ||
| Carbohydrate | 33.8 g of carbohydrates | 75.8 g of carbohydrate |
| Fibre | 3.7g fibre | 3.9g fibre |
| Protein | 1.2 g of protein | 2.5 g of protein |
| Fat | 0.4g fat | 0.4g fat |
Micronutrients | ||
| Calcium | 22 mg of calcium | 120 mg of calcium |
| Iron | 0.96 g of iron | 7.3 mg of iron |
Carbohydrates
Dates are a good source of energy. Up to 80 percent of the date flesh is sugar that the body can easily access for energy. Fresh dates have a somewhat lower percentage of sugar because they contain more moisture than dried dates, and the sugar in dried dates is more concentrated, but fresh dates are still a good source of carbohydrates. Fresh date is made of soft, easily digestible flesh with simple sugars like fructose and dextrose that when eaten replenishes energy and revitalizes the body instantly; thus, for these qualities, dates are being used to breakfast during Ramadan months.
Minerals
Dates are a particularly good source of calcium, which helps promote strong teeth and bones. Dried Dates are an excellent source of iron, being a component of hemoglobin inside the red blood cells, determines the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood.
Fiber
The fruit is rich in dietary fiber. Most of the fiber is of the insoluble type, meaning that its major health-promoting effect is to add bulk to stool and help food move through the intestinal tract. The fiber content helps to protect the colon mucous membrane by decreasing exposure time and as well as binding to cancer causing chemicals in the colon. It prevents dietary LDL cholesterol absorption in the gut.
They contain many health benefitting flavonoid polyphenolic antioxidants known as tannins. Tannins are known to have anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hemorrhagic (prevent easy bleeding tendencies) properties.
Low Fat
Another health benefit of dates is that they are low
fat. In 100 g of dates, only a fraction of a gram is saturated fats.
Muslims generally break their fast by eating dates. Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) is reported to have said: “Break your
fast by eating dates as it is purifying.”
So go ahead have a few
dates everyday whether dried or fresh as u wish just enjoy the benefits.............
