Useful properties and contraindications of dates: the berry of life or a dangerously sweet fruit

Dates: chemical composition, benefits

Due to the presence of many carbohydrates, vitamins and microelements in dates, they have a unique nutritional value.

Composition of vitamins

Dates have a rich vitamin composition, which is not found in many popular fruits and berries. This complex allows you to improve the condition of many organs and systems in the human body. The list of vitamins is presented in the table.

Composition of vitamins

Composition of microelements

Due to their composition, dates help prevent the risk of heart attack and stroke. The list of trace elements found in these fruits is presented in the table.

Composition of microelements

The nutritional value

Studies have shown that when consumed daily, dates help strengthen the body and replenish it with all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Dates, whose calorie content in 1 fresh fruit is 23 Kcal, have a high energy value.

Calorie content of dates

Energy value 1 pc. dried dates: 56 - 72 Kcal.

Dates, whose calorie content per 100 g is 240 Kcal, also contain:

Dates, whose calorie content per 100 g with seeds is 285 Kcal, also contain:

Dates calorie content per 100 g (dried and sun-dried). In addition to fresh dates, you can eat dried or dried fruits. Dried dates have a very sweet taste, while dried dates, on the contrary, are tender and sugary.

The nutritional value

Dates, whose calorie content per 100 g after drying is 275 Kcal, also contain:

Energy value of 100 g of dried dates: 229 Kcal.

Calorie content of dates

The calorie content of dates of different edible varieties is almost the same. Also, the number of calories in fruits does not differ much depending on the method of preparing the product - dried, dried, fresh, with or without pits.

Nutritionists recommend replacing chocolate candies with these dried fruits. Date palm fruits are an ingredient for preparing a variety of desserts for tea, syrups, pastes, honey, fruit and vegetable salads, baking fillings, even vinegar and alcoholic beverages. Accordingly, the calorie content of all these dishes will be much lower than if sugar were used.

© Dmytro – stock.adobe.com

Dried king dates will taste sweet, but dried ones will remain meaty, sugary and tender. As mentioned earlier, these fruits can also be purchased fresh, with or without pits. There is a difference in caloric content per 100 g, although not fundamental. More details in the table below.

As you can see, fresh dates have the least calories. The specificity of drying fruits from which the core has been removed makes the dried pitted product less nutritious than the one in which the pit remains. For the same reason, the former contain fewer nutrients. But the difference in kilocalories is small.

The calorie content of one berry is also almost the same: one fresh, dried and dried piece contains 20-25 kcal (the average for all types). Thanks to this, berries, while charging the body with energy and giving a boost of vigor, also act as a tonic. That is, dates are an excellent substitute for sweets that contain too many calories.

Contraindications for eating dates

Dates have contraindications for use in the following situations:

• Because dates contain a lot of sugar, they are not recommended for people diagnosed with diabetes.
• Dates can be harmful to obese people, as they have increased energy value.
• Those who suffer from digestive diseases should not overuse these fruits, because they can contribute to the spread of inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract.
• It is not advisable to combine dates and citrus fruits at the same time, as this can cause stomach upset.
• Those who have an individual intolerance to these fruits should not eat dates.

Dates. Botanical description

Dates are native to North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and the Middle East. Over many centuries of cultivated agriculture, the date palm has spread wherever there are natural conditions suitable for its cultivation. Arab countries are leaders in the production of these fruits. This crop is also grown in Israel, the USA, Mexico, and Australia.

In order to understand where and how dates grow, you need to know the natural conditions of the dry subtropics. Palm trees, which produce an abundance of sweet fruits, thrive in hot and moderately dry summers.

The wet and cool winters of the subtropics allow palm trees to accumulate moisture and grow during the periods between flowering and fruiting.

The date palm is a member of the Palmae family and the genus Phoenix. It is a dioecious plant with large feathery leaves located at the very top. These trees can reach a height of 25-30 m and a width of 80 cm (diameter). The length of each leaf can reach 6 m. The number of leaves in a whorl ranges from 35 to 75. Reproduction is carried out by sexual and vegetative methods. Complex inflorescences are surrounded by a veil.

When a person wonders what a date is, he imagines not a tree, but a fruit. It is a cylindrical drupe with a fleshy pericarp. It is covered with a tough skin, which helps preserve the pulp in hot and dry conditions.

Since the date palm became a cultivated plant, many varieties have appeared, which also affects the types of dates. There are more than 1000 varieties of palm trees in the world. They differ in their adaptation to environmental conditions, as well as in the appearance and quality characteristics of the fruit.

For example, the Dairy variety, which grows in Iraq, is characterized by long, dark fruits with soft flesh. The Hayani variety is known mainly by residents of the Mediterranean, because only fresh dates can be consumed from this tree immediately after harvesting. On palm trees of the Bahri variety, cylindrical fruits ripen, having a light amber color and rich taste.

Palm trees of the Deglet Nur variety can bear fruit well only in conditions of relatively high humidity, so they are preferred to be grown in the subtropics of America.

The benefits of dates for women's bodies

Dates are incredibly beneficial for women's health and beauty. Due to the fact that some properties of the fruits affect exclusively women's health, they can be consumed regularly.

The benefits of dates for women's bodies

The benefits of dates for women are as follows:

• Due to their high iron content, dates are especially valued during menstruation, since during this period the level of hemoglobin in the blood decreases. These fruits also contribute to rapid recovery from illness, removal of phlegm from the lungs and increased immunity;
• dates have a beneficial effect on the emotional state of women and increase libido;
• these fruits contribute to the proper functioning of the female reproductive system;
• Dates are useful to eat when you are tired or have a nervous system disorder;
• these fruits help in the treatment of cancer, constipation, migraines;
• dates help strengthen the cardiovascular system;
• when consumed on an empty stomach, fruits destroy parasites in the body;
• Dates help improve vision.

Benefits of the product for the body

The plant has a beneficial effect on the human body of any age and gender.

Doctors highlight the following beneficial properties of fruits:

• remove toxins and parasites from the body (it has been proven that lamblia and other helminths die in the pulp);
• increase performance, reduce fatigue, help recover after long-term work or illness;
• cleanse the gastrointestinal tract, normalize stool, strengthen the walls of the stomach, reduce the risk of cancer, restore microflora after antibiotics;
• increase blood flow, normalize blood pressure;
• resolve cholesterol;
• improve the appearance of hair, skin, nails;
• strengthen the eye muscles.

Benefits of dates for men

It has been scientifically proven that the inclusion of the product in the daily diet has a positive effect on libido and potency.

In the east, it is customary to give a man a pendant or talisman with a date pit to speed up the birth of strong offspring. And Alexander the Great introduced an unspoken rule in his army - to eat 7 dates before each battle to win.

By accelerating blood flow, berries improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system and reduce the risk of developing pathology and heart attack. Microelements strengthen the nervous system, which increases resistance to stress, relieves nervousness and depression.

Benefits for women

Date is a useful companion for active women with a busy schedule. It will be an excellent snack, will replace a hearty sandwich or lunch, will give you energy and will not affect your figure. The property of the product is to quickly nourish brain cells and restore the activity of the thought process.

Fruits bring particular benefits during pregnancy: from proper formation of the fetus to filling with milk during lactation and simplifying the course of childbirth.

During menstruation, dates relieve irritability, fatigue, headaches and abdominal cramps.

Important! Berries block natural aging, tighten the skin, strengthen the skin and nails. Therefore, their regular use gives a fresh appearance.

Can children eat it?

Pediatricians recommend introducing dates into the diet of children starting at 1.5 years of age. At an early age, the child’s body may not accept them due to increased sugar content. But for older children who continue to actively develop, fruits will provide the necessary energy, a supply of vitamins, strengthen the heart and blood vessels, and improve their mood.

The fruits are first carefully processed: steamed with boiling water for 10 minutes, peeled and washed again with warm water. They are introduced gradually, starting with half a berry; in the absence of a negative reaction, the volume is increased to 2-4 fruits per day.

They are added to cereal porridges, ground into purees, and cooked into compotes and jelly. You can prepare healthy sweets: jam, sweets, muffins.

Dates during pregnancy

The future mother's friend is oxytocin, which is part of the berries. This hormone stimulates the labor process, causes contractions, and increases uterine contractions. Therefore, it is especially important to introduce dates into the diet before labor begins.

But even during pregnancy, the fruits will bring many benefits. Firstly, folic acid promotes the production of new blood cells, which eliminates the development of anemia. Blood pressure increases, so even with large blood loss during childbirth, nothing will threaten the woman’s health.

Secondly, potassium enriches the brain with oxygen and “cures” toxicosis.

Thirdly, iron, calcium and phosphorus have a beneficial effect on the development of the fetus, strengthening its skeleton and central nervous system.

Dates for weight loss

Interestingly, these fruits are recommended both for those who want to gain weight and for those who want to lose weight.

The truth is that with increased glucose content and sufficient caloric content, dates even restore the body in cases of anorexia and rickets. Athletes use fruits to gain weight due to their high protein and protein content.

When losing weight, berries will be an excellent sugar substitute for a lover of sweets. Of course, restrictions are also introduced: no more than 5 pieces per day, consumed only in the first half of the day (after 16:00 it is strictly prohibited) 40 minutes after the main meal.

There is even a date mono-diet. Its essence lies in a menu based on fruits, herbal teas and decoctions. For 7 days, raw or dry dates are eaten 3-4 times a day in the amount of 300-400 g per day. From the 4th day, green apples are introduced. The result is up to 8 kg per week.

Benefits for men

Dates in relation to the male body have special benefits for his health. Eating these fruits in combination with nuts increases male potency.

Benefits for men

In addition, they help:

• increase sexual energy and stamina;
• normalize the functioning of the genitourinary system;
• increase the quantity, quality and properties of seminal fluid;
• make sexual contact longer;
• prevent the formation and development of the prostate gland;
• improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system.

What other diseases and conditions are “treated” with dates?

Such a useful product as dates can solve many health problems.

It is worth noting that dates can help a person even in the following cases:

• restore strength after an illness;
• solve problems of impotence;
• improve labor;
• help with motion sickness in transport;
• relieve eye fatigue;
• heal bleeding gums;

Dates will help strengthen your gums

• relieve dizziness that occurs due to middle ear diseases;
• remove heavy metal ions from the human body;
• like aspirin, reduce pain;
• used as a poultice to relieve muscle pain.

Benefits during pregnancy

In addition to a variety of vitamins and microelements, dates contain folic acid, which is essential for pregnant women.

Benefits during pregnancy

In view of this, dates have many healing properties for pregnant women:

• dates promote rapid saturation and increased energy, which helps with weakness and loss of strength;
• these fruits increase immunity, normalize hemoglobin, digestion, and eliminate constipation;
• dates promote the production of serotonin, which helps fight stress and depression;
• they stimulate the production of oxytocin, which in late pregnancy helps the uterus prepare for childbirth;
• dates normalize the water balance in the body;
• These fruits help prevent osteoporosis and strengthen muscle and bone tissue.

Can children have dates?

Dates have a great effect on the child’s immune system. They protect against viruses, strengthen the baby’s teeth and bones, and are very useful for the child’s brain activity.

Benefits of dried fruits for children's bodies:

• Dates are a source of quickly digestible carbohydrates. Therefore, after breakfast with the addition of dried fruits, the child will be full of strength and energy for the whole day;
• The fruits have a gentle effect on the intestines and eliminate constipation;
• Helps with dysbiosis;
• They prevent anemia.

Dried fruits can be introduced into a child’s diet from the age of 1.5-2 years. But this should be done very carefully.

Initially, you can give one fruit and watch the baby’s reaction. If there is no allergic reaction to the product, then you can regularly prepare dishes from these fruits. For example, children simply adore dried date compote. You can also add them to cereals, baked goods and much more.

Benefits for children

Dates help provide children's bodies with the necessary energy. This is very important for children born prematurely or who have had a viral infection.

In addition, the benefits of dates for children include the following indicators:

• Calcium and magnesium contained in fruits help strengthen bones;
• potassium in dates develops mental activity;
• dates eliminate parasites in the intestines and help prevent typhus, jaundice and hepatitis;
• these fruits prevent the appearance of ulcers on the gastric mucosa, and the dietary fiber they contain helps overcome constipation;
• date pulp helps in the treatment of dysentery in children;
• these fruits are good for the heart, since dates do not contain cholesterol and are saturated with fat;
• For children suffering from underweight, dates can help normalize it;
• Due to the presence of iron in dates, they help raise hemoglobin levels. Vitamin A improves children's vision.

Dates in cosmetology

Date oil is mainly used as a cosmetic product. It is made from seeds. It is included in creams, scrubs, and shampoos. In addition, it is used as an ingredient in cosmetic masks. The oil has a good effect on the skin, strengthens the hair, and restores it after coloring.

Date palms produce fruits, all parts of which are used. This is healthy and tasty food, an effective medicine, and raw materials for the production of cosmetic products. And the main thing is that all this is available to people living in various regions of the planet.

Source

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Daily intake of dates

Dates are high in calories, so they give you a feeling of fullness quickly, and it lasts for a long time. It has been proven that these fruits can cover a person’s daily need for vitamins, minerals and organic acids. To do this, an adult needs to consume about 5 pieces. dates per day. The norm for a child is 2 pcs. dates.

Benefits for children

To achieve the best results from eating dates, you should remember the following requirements:

• be sure to wash the fruits before eating, because they are treated with sulfur dioxide before sale, and they can cause the development of stomach ulcers;
• dates should not be combined with other products (for example, citrus fruits);
• if the fruits are too sweet, then you need to wash them down with tea or milk.

Where and how do dates grow?

Currently, dates grow in Iran, Israel, India, Pakistan, Central and Latin America in the southern United States.

The date palm is a dioecious plant that has only male or female flowers. For a tree to bear fruit, cross-pollination must occur. Under natural conditions, this process occurs with the help of wind. On an industrial scale, pollination is carried out manually to preserve the variety. The date palm begins to bloom in November-December; flowers up to one meter long are collected in six or ten inflorescences. Dates ripen in eight to ten months. By April, the small fruits acquire a yellow tint; at the end of spring, the size of the date can be compared to a large cherry. Dates ripen in the last weeks of summer.

Dates grow in huge clusters, weighing up to eighteen kilograms. Every year, from one hundred to two hundred and fifty kilograms of fruit are collected from one palm tree.

Which dates are the healthiest?

There are several varieties of dates in nature. Some of them are chemically treated before sale to ensure a longer shelf life and good appearance. But there are also fruits that are not subject to any processing. Such dates are “clean”. These include Royal fruits and Chinese dates.

The first type of dates is considered the best, because it contains a high level of natural sugars and valuable microelements. They are also large in size.

They are dried naturally, which makes them truly healthy. The second type of dates is a medicine. It is used in oriental medicine. These fruits help in the treatment of stomach ulcers and other inflammations of internal organs.

Types of dates

Since ancient times, dates have been considered a valuable food product. The world's largest exporters are countries such as Iran, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. They are rarely sold fresh in stores; they can usually be purchased as dried fruit (dried).

In total, over 450 varieties of dates are known, the most popular are:

1. Ajwa. This date is also called “royal” and is considered the most expensive. It has a red or dark chestnut color, a soft core and a refined aroma. It has pronounced antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
2. Turi. An incredibly sweet fruit with a nutty taste and smell. Typically used for snacks and salads. Legends say that it was he who first began to be used by people as food.
3. Zahedi. It has large sizes (diameter up to 6-9 cm) and dark brown color. It also has a nutty aroma and taste, combining notes of cherries and apricots. Rich in iron, fiber and B vitamins.
4. Unabi or jujube is real. Grown exclusively in Chinese provinces. It is medium in size and brown or burgundy in color. It stands out among other representatives due to the abundance of vitamin C and minerals (iron, magnesium, calcium) in its composition.
5. Mazfati. It is the main commercial variety of the Iranian food industry. It has a chocolate color and caramel taste. It reaches small sizes (about 4.5 cm in diameter) and is rich in vitamins A and B.
6. Anbara. The most popular variety in Saudi Arabia. It has small (about 2-3 cm), but soft and sweet red-brown fruits. Saturated with proteins and has a wound-healing effect.

There are other approaches to classifying dates. According to the degree of maturity they are distinguished:

• kimri (bitter and tart, color from creamy white to green);
• halal (yellow or red color; tart, slightly sweet taste);
• rutab (the core is soft and sweet; the color is crimson, chocolate or red);
• tamr (contains little moisture, slightly harsh, rich in sugars, which gives it a bright taste and aroma).

By volume of liquid, dates can be:

• dry – moisture up to 18%;
• semi-soft – from 18 to 23%;
• soft – more than 23%.

Each variety has a specific growing zone and geographic distribution area.

There are several hundred varieties of dates in the world. Each one differs not only in taste and aroma, but also in the abundance of nutrients.

Dates for weight loss

Dates, despite their calorie content, are allowed to be consumed during the diet in a certain quantity. They help the body get all the substances it needs. Fructose and glucose, which give dates their sweetness, are easily absorbed by the body. At the same time, they do not go into fat reserves, but turn into energy.

Dates for weight loss

It is correct to eat dates 40 minutes after eating. It is not recommended to eat them from 19:00 to 6:00. You are allowed to consume approximately 10 pieces per day. these fruits, while washing them down with green tea or water. During the date diet, the amount of dried fruits eaten increases significantly.

The date diet is a mono-diet, which can be followed for no more than 5 days.

During this diet, you are allowed to consume only dried fruits and water, tea, coffee or herbal infusions for 3 days. On the fourth day, green apples are introduced into the menu. However, it must be remembered that this diet does not allow the body to receive the required amount of protein. It is necessary to avoid physical activity during the diet.

Nutritionists recommend combining the consumption of dates with vegetables and dairy products. This diet will be beneficial for the body and help you lose extra pounds. The substances found in dates will remove water from the body and replenish it with energy. At the same time, it is important to maintain a water regime and not forget about physical activity.

Medicine prescriptions

Medicines for various diseases are prepared using dates. Recipes for their preparation, dosage, and method of administration can be found in the table.

Table - Recipes for medicines based on dates

Disease Additional ingredients (besides dates) Preparation Dosage and method of administration Dystrophy – Boiled rice; – water – Dates are poured with water, boiled for 15 minutes; – remove the seeds, chop, mix with rice. Eat every day as a dessert. Anemia – Ginger; – cardamom; – saffron – Ten fruits are placed in a jar; – sprinkle with a teaspoon of ground ginger, a pinch of saffron and cardamom; – leave for 2 weeks; eat 1 fruit every morning. Impotence – Cinnamon; – milk – 1 cup of dates poured into 2 cups of milk; – add a teaspoon of cinnamon; – leave for 24 hours; use daily as a dessert. Constipation Water – 5 fruits are poured into 0.5 liters of water; – boil for 10 minutes. Drink the decoction on an empty stomach, daily. Chronic fatigue – Cardamom; – ghee – The fruits are mixed with ghee and a pinch of cardamom; - insist for a week Eat 1 fruit every day Cough in children Milk 6 dates boiled in milk Give children a warm decoction Worms Eat several dates on an empty stomach Every day Prostatitis Honey Dates are crushed, mixed with honey Take a tablespoon at night The healing properties of dates for women are not only in saturating the body with nutrients. Judging by the reviews, regular consumption of dates improves the condition of the skin, hair, and nails.

Dates for diabetes

Eating dates for diabetes is still a controversial topic among scientists. Some of them claim that dates are absolutely contraindicated for this disease, since their sugar content is 70%. The remaining part believes that dates can be consumed in a certain amount for diabetes.

It should not exceed 100 g per day. The permission to eat dates for diabetes is due to the fact that they consist of 65–70% easily digestible carbohydrates.

Thanks to this, they do not sharply raise blood sugar and cleanse the body of cholesterol. It should be remembered that before consuming dates if you have diabetes, you need to pay attention to your blood sugar levels. It is also necessary to avoid dates in case of severe and moderate diabetes.

Contraindications and possible harm

Due to their calorie content, high sugar content and rich chemical composition, there are a number of restrictions on the consumption of dates. In rare cases, they can harm rather than help a person. The following contraindications for dates should be taken into account:

• diabetes;
• stomach ulcer in the acute stage;
• urolithiasis disease;
• fructose intolerance;
• acute pancreatitis.

Even a completely healthy person can feel the harm of dates. With excessive consumption (more than 200 g per day), diarrhea or constipation begins, and bloating appears.

If you use dates correctly, there will be no harm from them. Even if there are contraindications, you can sometimes allow yourself to eat one or two fruits a day.

Date honey

Energy value of date honey per 100 g: 226 kcal.

Date honey
Step-by-step preparation of date honey:

1. 1 kg of dried fruits (tamarinds, pitted) should be washed and chopped, and then pour cooled boiled water into a saucepan;
2. Next, you need to put the pan on the fire for about 2 hours, half-closing it with a lid and periodically stirring the contents in it;
3. then close the lid tightly and let the brew cool;
4. Next, you need to pour the resulting broth into a colander covered with gauze and then squeeze it out well;
5. the next step is to boil the resulting syrup over medium heat for about 15 - 20 minutes;
6. then the resulting honey should cool without a lid;
7. Finally, date honey is poured into sterilized jars, which must be closed with lids. Honey should be stored in the refrigerator for no longer than 6 months.

The effect of dates on the body's functioning

Date is an important product for almost all organs and systems of the human body.

Below is a description of the most beneficial properties of this dried fruit.

Constipation

Dates are considered to be an effective remedy against constipation. To enhance the laxative properties of the fruits, you will have to soak them overnight and eat the swollen fruits in the morning. They contain large amounts of soluble fiber, which is necessary to speed up the movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract, which is important for preventing constipation.

Bone Health and Strength

The impressive amount of minerals found in dates makes these fruits a superfood for bones, particularly those weakened by osteoporosis. Selenium, copper, manganese and magnesium contained in dates are essential components for healthy bone tissue. A deficiency of these nutrients leads to rapid aging and thinning of bones.

Intestinal disorders

The presence of nicotinic acid makes palm fruits useful for many intestinal disorders.

Regular consumption of these fruits helps inhibit the proliferation of pathological microorganisms and, on the contrary, stimulate the development of beneficial intestinal microflora.

In addition, it is important to remember that dates are insoluble and soluble fiber, which also largely affects intestinal health.

Anemia

The impressive levels of iron in date palm fruit make it one of the best foods against anemia. If you have recently noticed weakness, lethargy, and fatigue, these could be signs of anemia, so try introducing dates into your diet.

Allergy

One of the most interesting constituents of date fruits is sulphur. This is not a very common element in foods, but it has many beneficial properties. Among them is the ability to protect against seasonal allergies. According to the study, organic sulfur compounds alleviate the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis. So be sure to stock up on dates for the next blooming season.

Lack of body weight

A kilogram of dates is more than 3 thousand kilocalories. With such an energy value, fruits, of course, can hardly be called a dietary product that promotes weight loss. More often it is introduced into the diet for the opposite purpose. For people who are underweight, weakened, or with underdeveloped muscles, dates are the best choice.

Natural energy drink

Being a fruit extremely rich in natural simple sugars such as glucose, fructose and sucrose, dates can be used as an ideal snack that quickly restores energy.

Nervous system

It seems that nature itself has selected a chemical composition for dates that is optimal for the functioning of the nervous system. Potassium is one of the main ingredients necessary for the functioning of nerve cells and adequate brain performance. And this substance is present in large quantities in dates. Therefore, these fruits are an excellent choice for older people whose nervous systems are weakening, as well as for people whose work requires mental stress.

Healthy heart

The heart benefit comes from the presence of potassium, which is essential for maintaining the strength of the main muscle in the body, the heart. In addition, dates have been proven to reduce low-density lipoprotein (“bad” cholesterol) levels and prevent strokes and heart attacks. You can enhance this ability of dates by soaking them in water overnight.

Man's health

Research has shown that dates are beneficial for sexual health. These fruits act as an aphrodisiac on humans.

According to an ancient recipe, dried dates should be kept overnight in fresh goat milk, and then ground and mixed with the same milk, honey and cardamom powder. The effectiveness of this folk medicine against sexual impotence has recently been confirmed by science. Not long ago, researchers determined the effect of oils contained in date fruits on the sexual functions of the body. High levels of estradiol and flavonoids (present in dates) increase sperm production and enhance sperm motility.

Blindness

The list of benefits of date fruits includes benefits for the eyes. In the homeland of these plants, crushed date palm leaves are used as a drug for night blindness. But to improve vision in our latitudes, dried fruits are also suitable, which also contain enough microelements that are beneficial for vision.

Intoxication

These sweet fruits are known to help reduce intoxication resulting from alcohol poisoning. Dates are useful if you need to reduce the level of intoxication or get rid of a hangover. And again, soaking in water overnight will help enhance the healing abilities of the fruit.

Diarrhea

Due to the presence of potassium, dates will help you get rid of diarrhea quickly. These fruits are also useful for people with chronic diarrhea.

Sweet pilaf with dates

Energy value of sweet pilaf with dates per 100 g: 289.9 kcal.

Sweet pilaf with dates
Step-by-step preparation of pilaf with dates:

1. 50 g of dates, 50 g of prunes and 50 g of dried apricots, pitted, should be placed in a container and filled with warm water for 10 minutes;
2. after this they need to be washed and cut into strips;
3. Next, the dried fruits must be poured with warm water in a saucepan and boiled over medium heat for 2-3 minutes;
4. then you need to add a pinch of ground cinnamon and honey to taste to the dried fruits;
5. Next, 150 g of steamed rice cereal must be poured into the pan and covered with a lid. The fire should be reduced to a minimum;
6. At the last stage, the dish is stewed until it is fully cooked. During cooking, it should not be stirred and you should ensure that there is enough water in it.

Composition and calorie content

Calories 282 Kcal

• Fat:
  1.3 g
• Proteins:
  2.0 g
• Carbohydrates:
  74.6 g
• Water:
  20.5 g
• Ash:
  1.6 g
• Fiber:
  8.0 g

Other important connections:

• Phytosterols

  — 36.8 mg (67% of the RDA)

• Purines

  — 21.0 mg (17% of RDA)

• Pectin

  — 2.1-2.5 mg (46% of the RDA)

Full chemical composition ➤

Cottage cheese casserole with dates

Energy value of cottage cheese casserole with dates per 100 g: 212 kcal.

Cottage cheese casserole with dates
Step-by-step preparation of the casserole:

1. you need to combine 300 g of granular cottage cheese and 150 g of sour cream and mash everything well with a fork until smooth;
2. then 70 g of pitted dates should be soaked in warm water;
3. at this time, pour 40 g of candied fruits into a separate container with warm water;
4. Next you need to beat 2 pcs. chicken eggs and adding them to the cottage cheese, mix everything well;
5. then finely chopped candied fruits and dates are added to the cottage cheese. Add 2 tbsp here too. semolina and 2 tbsp. wheat flour;
6. Next you need to knead tightly and let it stand for 15 minutes;
7. then the dough is laid out in a mold, brushed with egg on top;
8. You need to bake the casserole by heating the oven to 180°C for about 30-40 minutes.

Homemade date candies with coffee

Energy value of homemade date sweets with coffee per 100 g: 323.9 kcal.

Homemade date sweets with coffee
Step-by-step preparation of sweets:

1. After washing 600 g of dates well, you need to remove the seeds;
2. then the resulting pulp is poured into a sieve, then it needs to be placed on a pan with boiled water and, thus, the dates need to be steamed until soft;
3. after the pulp has cooled, you need to grind it with a blender;
4. the next step is to roast 20 g of coffee beans and then grind them in a coffee grinder;
5. Next, you need to peel 120 g of roasted peanuts and then grind them in a coffee grinder;
6. the next step is to mix all the ingredients (except peanuts) in one container, adding 1 pinch of dried mint;
7. then small balls are formed from the resulting slurry, which are then rolled in chopped peanuts;
8. At the end, the resulting candies should be placed in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours until they harden.

Date pits: application and beneficial properties

The seeds from these exotic fruits are also useful. For example, they can be taken to treat bladder and kidney stones. To do this, you need to dry the seeds and grind them thoroughly using a blender. Then brew with boiling water, cool and filter. The decoction should be drunk once a day.

You can also wash your eyes with a decoction of the seeds for conjunctivitis.

Oil is made from the seeds of the fruit, which is then used in cosmetology. It is added to anti-aging serums, creams and body scrubs. Date kernel oil is actively used in various SPA procedures.

Date milkshake

Energy value of milkshake with dates per 100 g: 108.7 kcal.

Milkshake with dates
Step-by-step preparation of the cocktail:

1. 30 pieces need to be washed in warm water. dates, then you need to remove the pits from the bottom and then you need to put them in a pan;
2. then 1 g of vanillin, 1 g of salt are added to the pan and everything is poured with 1 liter of milk with a fat content of 3.2%.
3. then place the pan on the fire for 10 minutes;
4. then you need to grind everything with a blender and then leave it on the stove until it boils;
5. Next, the drink should brew for 2-3 hours at room temperature, and then it should be cooled in the refrigerator;
6. At the end, the cocktail needs to be poured into glasses.

How to eat dates

Dates can be eaten fresh, dried or dried. Before eating, the fruits must be thoroughly washed with warm water, preferably using a fruit wash. Because before transportation, the berries are treated with a special substance to extend their shelf life.

It is recommended to consume no more than 7-10 dates per day.

Therefore, in order not to exceed the daily norm, the fruits can be used to prepare various dishes:

• chopped berries are added to cooked oatmeal;
• in fruit, vegetable and berry salads;
• in milkshakes with the addition of banana, cinnamon, almonds;
• in baking;
• If you follow a diet, sweet fruits can replace sweets if you fill them with nuts.

You can also make healthy sweets by combining crushed dates, 0.5 cups each, raisins, a glass of sunflower seeds and peanuts. The mixture is stirred, formed into balls, and rolled in cocoa or coconut flakes.

Despite their high sugar content, dates are added not only to desserts, but also to meat dishes. For example, when baking chicken or pork.

How to select and store dates

Dates can be bought both in stores and in special shops by weight.

To determine which dates are best, it is important to pay attention to the following indicators:

• fruit color - ripe dates are dark in color, not light or green;
• quality and density of packaging - if the packaging is poorly closed or has cuts, then the fruits in it may be spoiled;
• appearance of the fruits - they should not be hard, damaged in integrity or shiny. If the surface of the fruit is matte, this means that they have not been treated with chemicals;
• date skin - if it is cracked, this means that they were not dried naturally, but in an oven, which can ruin their taste;
• if the dates are stuck together, this indicates that they were treated with additional syrup for sweetness and to artificially increase shelf life;
• the surface of the dates should not be greasy;
• pitted dates are considered better because they undergo the least amount of processing;
• Before purchasing, you need to make sure that the dates have not spoiled.

Dates are best stored in cool places. Therefore, they should be placed in the refrigerator, first placing them in a tightly closed container. This way they will not absorb foreign odors. Dates have a shelf life of several months.

Dates are amazing fruits. Despite their calorie content, they can help you lose weight, cope with fatigue, cleanse the body, replenish the substances it needs and remove harmful waste and toxins from it. That is why it is important to include them in the diet.

Date fruit

bread of the desert, berries of life

Dates are nutritious fruits of the date palm. In the homeland of the plant they are called “bread of the desert.” Regular consumption of fruits prolongs life. Dates are used in cooking, folk medicine, and are part of the diet menu. Useful for the immune system and during lactation. They help cope with constipation and relieve attacks in hypertensive patients.

Latin name: Phoenix English name: Date fruit Family: Palmaceae

Usually dates are perceived as sweetness. But besides the pleasant taste, dried fruits have a lot of useful properties. It’s not for nothing that the inhabitants of the Ancient East called them “berries of life.” The date palm symbolized the Tree of Life, and its fruits not only nourished, but also cured diseases and drove away bad thoughts. What are the real benefits of dates? How is it explained from a medical point of view?