The fruit of the date palm tree, called “khajoor” in the locale of the Indo-Pak subcontinent, is termed Date. The origins of this fruit are from the Persian Gulf, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and some other neighboring countries. Dates are the drupe type of fruit, having a sweet and nutritious outer flesh or pericarp, a slightly toughened endocarp with a hard seed inside.
Dates are divided into three main categories: fresh, semi-dried, and thoroughly dried. Drying up the dates is mostly done to increase the sugar content. Dates are usually regarded as an instant source of energy. This is because of the presence of readily soluble simple sugars such as glucose and fructose. The natural sugar content of dates can be as much as 60 to 70%. Due to the presence of a high concentration of natural sugars, date syrup & date sugar are excellent sweeteners and can be used as alternatives for refined sugar.
The health benefits of dates are as follows:
Reduce the risk of diabetes
Dates perform this function due to their two unique properties. Firstly, the consumption of dates increases insulin production in the body. Secondly, dates inhibit the uptake of glucose in the intestines. Both of these factors help to control sugar levels in diabetic patients.
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Rich in nutrients
Dates are among the most nutritious fruits in the world. They are loaded with almost all the essential vitamins and minerals that we require for a healthy body. These include vitamins A, B6, C, D, K, calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, zinc, dietary fibers, carbs, and high energy proteins.
Antioxidants
The concentration of antioxidants in dates is relatively high ask compared to other dried fruits. Among these are compounds such as flavonoids, beta carotene, and phenolic acid.
Bone health
Vitamin K and minerals like calcium, copper, magnesium, and manganese are abundantly found in dates. All of these nutrients are essential for maintaining bone health and reduce the possibility of fracture and other skeletal disorders.
Cholesterol and blood pressure
There is a minimal amount of fat in dates. Dates are completely free of cholesterol. Furthermore, the potassium content in dates helps to regulate blood pressure and reduce the risk of hypertension.
Brain functionality
The regular consumption of dates effectively improves overall brain health. Dates help to enhance memory and boost learning ability. They also reduce the effects of stress, anxiety, and depression.
Skin and hair
The skin health is to maintain by the vitamins C&D contained in dates. At the same time, the iron ensures proper blood circulation around the body, which ultimately leads to better hair growth and health.
Effective weight gain
Because of being rich in carbs, dates are the perfect addition to the diet for people who are looking to gain weight. Hence bodybuilders consume a lot of dates.
Improves male fertility
The male fertility is considerably improved by estrone and sterols in date palm. Also, the sexual performance of males is enhanced by flavonoids and certain amino acids provided by dates.
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