Health Benefits of Dates
1- Wonderfully delicious, dates are one of the most popular fruits with an impressive list of essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals, required for normal growth, development and overall well-being.
2- 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.
3- The fruit is rich in dietary fiber which prevents dietary LDL cholesterol absorption in the gut. It is also a good bulk laxative. 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.
4- Dates contain many health benefiting antioxidants that have anti- infective, anti-inflammatory and anti- hemorrhagic properties.
5- They are good source of Vitamin-A, which is known to have antioxidant properties and is essential for vision. Vitamin A also required maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural fruits rich in vitamin A known to help to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
6- Also rich in antioxidant flavonoids that have the ability to help protect cells and other structures in the body and protect body against colon, prostate, breast endometrial, lung, and pancreatic cancers.
7- Zeaxanthin, an important dietary caratenoid that protects body against age related macular degeneration in elderly individuals.
8- Dates are an excellent source of iron, contains 0.90 mg/100 g of fruits .
9- Also, dates are rich in potassium. Potassium in an important component of cell and body fluids that help controlling heart rate and blood pressure; thus offers protection against stroke and coronary heart diseases.
10- They are also rich in minerals like calcium, manganese, copper and magnesium. Calcium is an important mineral that is an essential constituent of bone and teeth, and required by the body for muscle contraction, blood clotting and nerve impulse conduction. Copper is required in the production of red blood cells. Magnesium is essential for bone growth.
11- The date fruit is rich in B-complex group of vitamins as well as vitamin K. It contains very good amounts of pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), niacin, pantothenic acid and riboflavin. These vitamins are acting as cofactors help body metabolize carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Vitamin K is essential for many coagulant factors in the blood as well as in bone metabolism.
