posted by Robin

Dates are harvested from the date palm tree and are the oldest cultivated fruit in the world.

About – They have been an important source of nourishment to the entire Middle East and Northern Africa for over a thousand years. The date is a dark reddish brown, oval fruit with a seed in it. The skin of the dried fruit is wrinkled and coated with a sticky film.

Nutrition – Dates are loaded with natural sugar but also have many health benefits, mainly due to their abundance of natural fibres. They are rich in several vitamins, especially B-complex vitamins: thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, B6 and pantothenic acid, and also vitamin A, a powerful antioxidant which helps to fight off infections in the body. Dates also contain many minerals, including: calcium, sulphur, iron, potassium, phosphorous, manganese, copper and magnesium. Dates are one of the best natural sources of potassium, an essential mineral your body needs to maintain muscle contractions including the vital heart muscle. Potassium helps maintain a healthy nervous system and balances the body’s metabolism as well. Dates magnesium and calcium is essential for healthy bone development and for energy metabolism and its Iron is essential to red blood cell production. Dates have the highest concentration of polyphenols and phenol antioxidants among dried fruits. Their naturally occurring sugars provide quick energy, which is readily used by the body. Dates are fat and cholesterol free. A regular consumption of dates inhibits the growth of pathological organisms, and promotes friendly bacteria in the intestines. Dates have a laxative effect on the digestive system and can be beneficial for those suffering from constipation. They are beneficial for the digestion and intestinal health and have shown to be effective in preventing abdominal cancer. The health benefits of medjool dates are slightly higher in comparison to other dates.