Native to northern and eastern Arabia, the date palm, botanical name "Phoenix Dactylifera" (Palmaceae), is a palm tree that can reach 30 meters, has powerful roots, the rough trunk, rigid leaves, broad hips 3 meters and produces a large number of fruits. The flowers are small, yellow and the fruits are meaty with a large seed woody plant. The date is a sweet fruit, always integrated into the diet of the Middle East, it is in fact one of the oldest fruits in the world (6000 BC), thanks to the commercial activities, the dates are also spread to Europe, and in 1765 also in America.
Some interesting facts about the dates:
- The date palm is also called the tree of life;
- the fruits are dried to preserve them longer but are made so more sugar;
- in Muslim religious tradition, the faithful break the Ramadan by eating some dates;
- the name "date" comes from the greek "daktilos" meaning finger;
- Egyptians considered them a symbol of fertility, the Christians of peace (the leaves of the palm tree);
- The plant bears fruit after the third year of age.
And 'advisable to eat fresh dates because they maintain their nutritional properties. In Middle Eastern cuisine are served as a dessert, as an ingredient, or stuffed.
Types of dates
The dates are: Soft or hard paste, the first is particularly marketed in Europe, while those with firm flesh in the Arab countries.
fresh and dried dates: the difference
The fresh dates are less caloric, more rich in water and contains less sugars unlike those buckets.
Why you must buy them bundled? Being covered with sugar, they are sticky and tend to retain moisture and dust, why do not you buy in bulk if you are withered.
Dates: calories and nutritional values
Dried dates are obviously much more heating of fresh dates, and are composed of about 20% water, sugar for approximately 60%, fiber 6%, about 2% protein and 0.2% fat. Percent grams, fresh date brings 275 calories, 150 calories rather than cool.
We said that the dates are a good source of nutritional properties, here are:
- vitamins (A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, C, E, K and J);
- mineral salts (potassium, magnesium, copper, zinc, manganese, iron, sulfur, calcium, selenium, sodium, and phosphorous);
- sugars (fructose, sucrose, maltose and dextrose);
- amino acids (aspartic acid and glutamic acid, alanine, arginine, cystine, glycine, phenylalanine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, proline, methionine, serine, tyrosine, tryptophan, valine and threonine.);
- beta-carotene;
- lutein;
- zeaxanthin.
Dates: the beneficial properties to health
Here is what are the properties of dates:
- Antiinflammatory: attenuate inflammation of the intestine and airways;
- Mineralizing: because of the high mineral content;
- Toning: help tone the muscles and the cardiovascular system;
- Protective: help protect brain function due to vitamin B6;
- Digestive: due to dietary fiber have excellent digestive and promote the correct functioning of the intestine also help the rebalancing in the case of diarrhea;
- Hypocholesterolemic: helps lower cholesterol levels in the blood;
- Energy: they are particularly recommended way to the sportsmen and those who have to recover from debilitating diseases;
- it is true that they help to assuage the pangs of hunger, but it is good and fresh because they consume few dry ones are too caloric and would get the opposite effect;
- Circulation: help to improve blood circulation;
- mood stabilizer: thanks to the high content of magnesium, are indeed appropriate for women who suffer from premenstrual syndrome;
- immune system: they help to strengthen it especially in the winter months when circulating viruses and in seasons where there is higher incidence of allergies;
- nervous system: the dates contain a lot of potassium and thus strengthen and protect the nervous system;
- Regularizing: help regularize more pressure because of magnesium and potassium;
- this fruit protects the bones from the ravages of time;
- thanks to the high iron content, these fruits are great allies against anemia;
- Laxatives: ideal for those who suffer from constipation;
- Prevent cancer in the stomach and intestines;
- Prevent caries (provided you do not overdo it);
- water retention, so here is a lesser-known properties of dates, help to get rid of stagnant fluids;
- Anti-aging: these fruits protect disastrous effect of free radicals;
- Improve eyesight, thanks to lutein.
The dates can safely be taken during pregnancy, help to strengthen the uterine muscles and promote the dilation during childbirth also help to recover in case of postpartum hemorrhage. And again, enrich the breast milk and prevent postpartum depression.
Date: all uses
In the first place it must be said that, after the consumption of dates especially dry ones, you should brush your teeth to remove all residues.
The dates should not be consumed in large quantities if you are on a diet and if you have diabetes should discuss with your doctor, before integrating them into the diet.
The dates are as they can consume or:
- Decoction: very useful in case of seasonal diseases (colds and sore throat), allergy and cough, are boiled a handful of these fruits open in two, filtered and drink.
- Smoothie: in case of difficulty digestive or intestinal problems, dates can be added to smoothies yogurt and fruit.
- Desserts: the dates can be used in cakes and preparing muffins, you can derive jams, ice cream and cookies.
- Flour and honey: there are also flour, coffee and honey of date, recently imported by us.
- Macerated: folk traditions that if you want to leave to marinate these fruits in milk (in addition to honey and cardamom) can cure fatigue, infertility and sexual discomfort.
As regards the contraindications, we say that in general is not a result of which it is necessary to abuse, although it has many beneficial properties. The recommended daily intake is about 40 grams. (5/6 dates). Among the few side effects due to excessive consumption, dates can cause headaches in sensitive people.
It 'important to remember that natural remedies made from dates are not suitable for all, ask the primary care physician and consume this fruit with caution.
