The Date Palm, also known as Kurma fruit in Middle Eastern countries, its scientific name is Phoenix dactylifera. According to studies dates have shown as highly nourishing with numerous potential health benefits to human body. Also believed to contain phytochemicals that may help to low cholesterol and decrease risk of diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.

Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) discovered the health benefits of this superfood, it is well-known that the natural sugars in date fruits make them an ideal food to break one’s fast, since this contains large amounts of phytochemicals, a naturally occurring plant chemicals that can lower cholesterol, reduce the risk of heart disease, and have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, neuroprotective and antioxidant properties, among other benefits.

Researcher Sweety Mathew, WCM-Q project specialist in food science and health, explained:

“Dates are known to contain phytochemicals such as flavonoids, carotenoids, polyphenols, phytoestrogens and sterols, all of which can have quite profound beneficial effects on human health. We are interested in finding out which of the ‘healthy’ molecules actually end up in the human body when someone eats dates”.

Recently, Dates fruit were medically reviewed by Natalie Olsen R.D. and shared the five (5) health benefits of eating dates.

• High in polyphenols. Polyphenols are antioxidant compounds that can protect the body from inflammation. Dates contain more polyphenols than most other fruits and vegetables.
• Alternative to empty-calorie sweets. Dates can satisfy a person’s sweet tooth while also providing essential nutrients, such as vitamin B-6 and iron.
• High in fiber. Just ¼ of a cup of dates provides 12 percent of a person’s daily fiber requirement. Fiber helps a person feel fuller for longer.
• High in potassium. Dates are high in potassium, which is an electrolyte the bodyneeds for good heart health. Potassium also helps to build muscle and proteins in the body.
• Great for substitutions. People can replace the sugar, chocolate chips, or candies in baking recipes with dates to ensure they are eating natural sugars instead of refined sugars.

The Nutritional information’s of Deglet Noor dates are one of the most common types of dates that people can find in the supermarket. The following is the nutritional information for one average sized “Deglet Noor” date:

                                    Calories: 20
                                    Total fat: 0.03 grams (g)
                                    Total carbohydrates: 5.33 g
                                    Dietary fiber: 0.6 g
                                    Sugar: 4.5 g
                                    Protein: 0.17 g
                                    Vitamin B-6: 0.012 milligrams (mg)
                                    Iron: 0.07 mg
                                    Magnesium: 3 mg
                                    Potassium: 47 mg

Sources:https://qatar-weill.cornell.edu/media-and-news/news/story/studying-the-health-benefits-of-dates

              https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/3225483#risks-and-considerations      

Writer: NO II Maleja Daud Jaamil