Oddly wrinkled, with a single pit in the center, dates (Phoenix dactylifera) have been a sweet treat for more than 5,000 years. A modern day favorite, the Medjool date made its way from Mesopotamia and, in the 1920's, was introduced into the U.S. when 11 roots were quarantined in Nevada for seven years. Nine plants survived, were relocated, and grown in Southern California in 1935. Medjool dates, which come in three sizes (jumbo, large and fancy/small), can be picked and eaten fresh.
The health benefits of dates are plentiful. A rich source of carbohydrates, mostly from natural sugars (66 g per 100g / 3.5 oz. serving), they contain vitamins A and K, as well as many of the B vitamins. The minerals copper, selenium, magnesium and manganese contribute to their preventive health benefits. Just one serving provides seven grams of dietary fiber, which supports healthy gut function. Eating dates in moderation can protect cells from damage caused by free radicals, and that's good for the whole body.
Dates are used in vinegars, chutneys, butters, paste, and as a natural sweetener. Dates satisfy a sweet tooth without adding fat to your diet. When eating raw dates, mix them with raw nuts and seeds or add to a raw cream cheese - spread it on brown rice cakes for a yummy, nutritious snack. They're the perfect snack to take on a long hike or for one of those days when you're on the run and might need a quick pick-me-up.
The health benefits of dates are plentiful. A rich source of carbohydrates, mostly from natural sugars (66 g per 100g / 3.5 oz. serving), they contain vitamins A and K, as well as many of the B vitamins. The minerals copper, selenium, magnesium and manganese contribute to their preventive health benefits. Just one serving provides seven grams of dietary fiber, which supports healthy gut function. Eating dates in moderation can protect cells from damage caused by free radicals, and that's good for the whole body.
Dates are used in vinegars, chutneys, butters, paste, and as a natural sweetener. Dates satisfy a sweet tooth without adding fat to your diet. When eating raw dates, mix them with raw nuts and seeds or add to a raw cream cheese - spread it on brown rice cakes for a yummy, nutritious snack. They're the perfect snack to take on a long hike or for one of those days when you're on the run and might need a quick pick-me-up.
References:
Medjool Dates - Nutrition Data. Accessed 2 Dec 2016: http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fruits-and-fruit-juices/7348/2
University of California-Davis, Plant Sciences. Accessed 2 Dec 2016: http://www.plantsciences.ucdavis.edu/GEPTS/pb143/CROP/DATE/date.htm
Chao, C. & Krueger, R. 'The Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.): Overview of Biology, Uses, and Cultivation.' HortScience (August 2007) 42:5. 1077-1082. Accessed 4 Jan 2017: http://hortsci.ashspublications.org/content/42/5/1077.full (see section within this article: uses of dates and date palms)
Al-Shahib, W. & Marshall, R.J., 'The fruit of the date palm: its possible use as the best food for the future?' Int J. Food Scie Nutri. (2003, Jul), 54:4, 247-59. Accessed 2 Dec 2016: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09637480120091982 (full text)
Types of Dates (with photos, descriptions). Accessed 4 Jan 2016: http://www.clovegarden.com/ingred/pm_date.html
Trabzuni, D.M., Ahmed, S.E.B. and Abu-Tarboush, H.M. 'Chemical Composition, Minerals and Antioxidants of the Heart of Date Palm from Three Saudi Cultivars.' Food and Nutrition Sciences (2014) 5, 1379-1386. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/fns.2014.514150
Yasin, B.R., El-Fawal, H.A.N., Mousa, S.A. 'Date (Phoenix dactylifera) Polyphenolics and Other Bioactive Compounds: A Traditional Islamic Remedy's Potential in Prevention of Cell Damage, Cancer Therapeutics and Beyond.' Int. J. Mol. Sci. (2015), 16, 30075-30090. Accessed 2 Dec 2016: http://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/16/12/26210 (full text)
Eid, N., Enani, S., et al., 'The impact of date palm fruits and their component polyphenols, on gut microbial ecology, bacterial metabolites and colon cancer cell proliferation.' (2014) J. Nutr Sci. 3:e46. DOI: 10.1017/jns.2014.16 Accessed 2 Dec 2016: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4473134/ (full text)
Additional citations on date palm and date: bioactive compounds, cancer therapeutics, preventions of cellular damage found here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=Phoenix%20dactylifera%20cancer
Imperial Date Gardens provides assorted raw dates and healthy date treats. http://www.imperialdategardens.com/about_us.html
Photo Credit: dionisvera/bigstockphoto.com
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