Date fruit is gotten from date palm which is widely cultivated around the world, The fruits have loads of vitamins, sugar, protein, mineral fibre and a lot more proving it to be a healthy option.
The recent discovery of foods classification has nutraceutical finds dates to be one of them due to its loads of antioxidants and high dietary fibre content.
Its also a main source of energy due to its high sugar content.
DATE FRUIT QUICK FACTS
DATE FRUIT SCIENTIFIC NAME
The date fruit is gotten from the date palm known as Phoneix dactylifera Linn
FRUITS FLAVOUR
The fruit of the date palm has a sweet, succulent and exotic flavour while it has a citrus, floral and fruity aroma.
DATE FRUIT IS GOTTEN FROM
Date fruit is gotten from date palm and belongs to the family Arecaceous which includes over 200 genres. It’s an important food in the Middle East Countries and one of the oldest fruit trees in the world.
Its mostly grown in hot and arid regions of the world.
NUTRITIONAL VALUES OF DATE FRUITS
The nutritional profile of two different variants of date fruits per 100g
| Components Unit | Medjhool date Deglect Nuur | ||
| Water g | 21.32 20.53 | ||
| Carbohydrate kcal | 277 282 | ||
| Fibre g | 6.74 8 | ||
| Protein g | 1.81 2.45 | ||
| Vitamin A IU | 149 10 | ||
| Iron mg | 0.9 1.02 | ||
| Sugar g | 66.4 63.35 | ||
| Magnesium mg | 54 43 | ||
| Fat g | 0.15 0.39 | ||
| Potassium g | 696 656 |
This table shows the nutritional values of 2 different types of dates fruits.
DATE FRUIT VARIANTS
The date palm is cultivated in various countries around the world with over 300 variants cultivated worldwide like Medjhool, Ajwal, Hayani, Zahidi,Deglet Nour, Barhi & lot more
HOW MANY DATES TO EAT DAILY
Its recommended to get at least 2000-2500 calories per day, which can greatly be supplied by eating 8-13 pieces of dates fruits daily, but intake is largely affected by the health condition & the needed calories intake of an individual.
DATE FRUIT COMPONENTS
The date fruit is composed of 3 parts which are the date fruit skin: which is the brownish part of the fruit.
The date pulp: This is the brown-whitish part of the date fruit found underneath the date flesh.
Date pit (seed): This is the seed found inside the date fruit which can be used to make date coffee.
ADVERSE EFFECTS OF DATE FRUIT
Recent research has stated that excessive consumption of date fruits can lead to obesity and constipation due to high calories and sugar content.
WHAT IS DATE FRUIT?
Date fruits popularly called “dabino” in Nigeria a country in the west of Africa, is a succulent, healthy and functional food. It’s a brownish fruit gotten from date palm which is mostly eaten dried or fresh.
The need for high fiber food as a healthy alternative makes the demand for dates grow significantly because they are associated with the prevention of diseases such as chronic, colon cancer, and diabetes.
WHAT CAN I MAKE FROM DATE
The date fruit is so versatile and can be made in lots of by-products which include: date syrup, date paste, date juice concentrate, date powder & jam, and date butter while the seed in the date fruits can be processed into date oil and seed coffee.
HOW MANY VARIANTS OF DATES FRUIT IS AVAILABLE?
The date fruits are readily available in over 300 different variants from Miskani, Nubbut, Ajwal, Thamani, Medjhool, Khodari etc
CAN DATE FRUITS BE USE FOR MEDICINAL PURPOSE?
In traditional medicine, the use of dates is evident, has it’s highly recommended for the treatment of liver disease and is a great one for women before and after pregnancy.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF DATE
Over the years significant research findings have proven the date fruits to be a great source for treatment and prevention of lots of diseases and health conditions due to their antioxidant properties.
The following are some of the health benefits of date fruits
- Dates are nutrient rich: meaning its sugar content are not just sugar dumps & empty calories. It is rich in sugar,protein,minerals,dietary fiber and some essential vitamins. A higher percentage of the sugar in dates provide a good source of rapid energy
- Its proven that dates is rich in flavonoids glycosides which is a beneficial chemical compound that helps the human health from strengthening the immune system,protection against cancer and cell damage,reduction in capillary fragility and lot more.
- Dates fruits are loaded with antioxidant: Antioxidant inhibit oxidation mechanism which can lead to degenerative diseases like cancer,brain dysfunctional, arthritis and also regulate the role of antibiotics.
- Stabilizes blood sugar: Dates as a major source of fiber can help stabilize blood sugar as it slow down digestion & help reduce food intake which can raise the blood sugar level. Its proven that fiber helps in the treatment and prevention heart-related disease, diabetes, constipation so consuming dates can help stabilize those health conditions.
- Helps in bone growth: The percentage of magnesium,potassium,iron and copper which are needed for proper bone growth can be found in dates.
- Helpful for people suffering from hypertension: The high percentage of potassium and low sodium content in dates makes it optimum for people suffering with hypertension.
- Prevent Tooth decay: The date fruit contains fluorine which is a good chemical compound for the prevent of tooth decay.
- Iron deficiency: Dates fruits are good source of iron, consumption of dates can help correct iron deficiency and anemia.
- Protect the kidney : Date contains potassium which is essential for muscle contraction, helps to control heart rate and blood pressure.
- Its helps in cell growth: The dates fruits contains essential vitamins likes riboflaxin,folic acid,absorbic acid & lot more which are essential for the growth and development of the body cell as a result dates can be said to be a great for brain development.
- Helps improve the gastrointestine: Dates can help prevent and maintain good oral health as well as prevent ulcer due to the presence of phythochemicals like carotenoids, procyandins, high fiber etc which are important for gastrointestinal health.
QUALITY EVALUATION OF DATE FRUITS
With over 300 dates fruits readily available all over the world, the need to identify quality dates can’t be underestimated. Below are the quality identification attributes of dates.
- Colour: Good quality date tend to be light brown in
- Apperance : Most good quality dates tend to be moderate in size & long
- Chewiness: A good date should be slightly or moderately chewy.
- Pit size: Its of a medium size i.e either big or small
- Fruit size: A quality date is of a moderately large size.
- Mouth shear: A little bit of force is needed to open up a quality date fruit.
IS DATES FRUIT BENEFICIAL TO THE SKIN ?
Date fruits can be so beneficial to maintaining a radiant & ageless looking skin. The presence of carotenoids in date helps in stimulating natural mechanisms against UV radiant and healing process.
Vitamin B6 in dates can also prevent acne breakout. Riboflavin in dates helps with mucus secretion with prevents skin dryness.
ARE DATES NUTRACEUTICALS?
Yes, Nutraceuticals are products that are functional food, meaning they serve as food and also offer medicinal benefits. They are mainly food with high dietary fibers, antioxidants, probiotics, polyunsaturated fatty acids and more
Going by all these dates fruits have over the years proven to be a great source of dietary fiber and antioxidants.
CAN DATE FRUIT BE CONSUMED EXCESSIVELY?
Excessive consumption of dates is not advisable because it could cause obesity, and constipation due to the high level of calories, so individuals that are on a calories diet should check with their medical practitioners before consumption.
The recommended date fruits for each day are between 8-13 dates fruits for the recommended daily calories intake, avoid taking too much beyond the recommended daily intake.
LOVE THIS try out RECIPES WITH DATES FRUITS & MORE.
- Coconut glazed date energy ball
- Date pit coffee drink
- More Easy dessert recipe for you
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