Since ancient times, the date has been a significant source of nutrition in the oases of deserts in the Middle East and North Africa.

But more than being historically beneficial to the peoples of the Mediterranean and the Middle East, dates also provided medicinal and nutritional value. They are great sources of iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulphur, copper, boron and phosphorous. They are also rich in natural fibers and contain many vitamins such as thiamine, riboflavin, biotin, folic and ascorbic acid.

Benefits of Dates

Quick energy boost
In the Islamic world, dates are an essential food item during Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, since Muslims follow the manner of the Prophet by breaking their fast with dates. Being water soluble, sugars (of which dates are high in) are absorbed in the blood rapidly and are spontaneously transferred to the cells for production of body energy. It is one of the reasons that they are recommended as the first food for iftar.

Fetal development
We know that iron controls the synthesis of hemoglobin present in red blood cells and is responsible for preventing anemia in pregnancy. The proper level of RBC in the blood is essential for fetal development as well.

Strengthens the muscles of the uterus
Studies have also shown that dates contain some stimulants that strengthen the muscles of the uterus in the last months of pregnancy. This helps the dilation of the uterus at the time of delivery on one hand and reduces the bleeding after delivery on the other (because of its content of vitamin K and tannine which is an aid in stopping the bleeding).

Correcting weakness of digestion
Dates are effective in the treatment of constipation and act as a effective laxative to facilitate bowel movements. The fibrous nature of dates helps in absorption of water in undigested food and makes the lubricating process easier.

Alleviation of depression in new mothers & enriches breast milk
Dieticians' consider dates as the best food for women in confinement and those who are breast-feeding. This is because dates contain elements that assist in alleviating depression in mothers and enriching the breast-milk containing essential elements needed to help make the child healthy more resistant to disease.

Strengthening of bones
Dates are the simultaneous source of calcium and boron for strengthening the skeletal structure of the body. Vegetarians comparatively suffer less from bone diseases as boron is present in fruits, nuts and legumes such as apples, pears, grapes, raisins, almonds, peanuts and also in honey.

Prevention of breast and abdominal cancer
In more recent times, studies have shown that Bedouin Arabs who consume dates on a regular basis show an extremely low incidence rate of cancer and heart disease. Modern medicine has shown that they are effective in preventing abdominal cancer and researchers continue to explore the many uses of the date palm.

A natural dessert
Globally, the date has recently become the focus of attention and probably due to its sweet nature. More than half the weight of this fruit is sugar (70-80%), and therefore tends to do a good job of satisfying the sweet tooth that can affect some of us from time to time.

Appeasing hunger
A principal component in dates is fiber. Actually, gram for gram, dates contain two or three times the fiber found in green vegetables such as broccoli and cabbage. The predominant type of fiber in dates is what is known as a soluble fiber. As its name suggests, soluble fiber has the capacity to dissolve in water, and forms a gel-like substance within the gut. Dates are rich in one particular type of soluble fiber, known as pectin. One effect of pectin is to slow the speed at which food leaves the stomach, an action, which is believed to help curb ones appetite.

Increased sexual strength
Interestingly enough dates are highly beneficial in the treatment of sexual weakness (according to folklore). Supposedly, a handful of dates soaked in fresh goat's milk overnight and ground in the same milk in the morning improves sexual stamina and functional disorders.

Weight gain
For those trying to gain weight, dates are an excellent source. We now know that one kilogram of dates contains nearly 3,000 calories which alone are sufficient to supply the minimum daily requirements of an active man for one full day.

This magic fruit has, for centuries, amazed scientists and researchers with its countless benefits. After extensive research and analysis, scientists are only now revealing the magic contents of dates (which contain sugar, water, vitamins, minerals and fibers). Its hard to imagine that all of this is packed into such a little fruit. Dates can be dry or soft and are eaten as is, or may be seeded and stuffed, or chopped and used in a great variety of ways: on cereal, in pudding, bread, cakes, cookies, ice cream, or candy bars.