Dates are a Fruit that Fight Constipation, Cholesterol & Cancer

Jun 16, 2010
Shweta Shah

Dates Protect Against Heart Disease and Cancers - BrokenSphere

Dates are nutrient power-houses that supply a liberal dose of vital vitamins and minerals that help maintain optimum health.

The date palm is often described as the "tree of Life." According to a Muslim legend, the date palm was the first tree to be grown in history, and it was cultivated from the dust that was left after the conception of Adam.

The Nutritional Highlights of Dates

Dates are a brilliant source of easily digestible carbohydrates and a significant source of dietary fiber, especially, beta-D-glucan. Dates provide ample thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, iron, copper, potassium, zinc and folic acid. Packed with these essential nutrients, dates proffer a host of health benefits:

Dates treat constipation: Dates are loaded with soluble fiber, principally beta-D-glucan. Fiber adds weight to the stools and makes them soft due to its water-holding capacity. It also hastens the evacuation of the fecal matter from the colon. A bulkier stool travels rapidly and smoothly from the intestine in to the rectum. Also, dates regularize bowel motion and eliminate the symptoms of constipation effectively.

Dates check acidity: Dates are one of the most alkaline foods. If consumed first thing in the morning, they promise to curb acidity by leaving an alkaline ash after the process of digestion.

Dates diminish blood cholesterol levels: Date fiber helps lower serum cholesterol level by diminishing the body’s absorption of cholesterol and speeding up its excretion.

Dates prevent cancer: Clinical studies state that dates are composed of a larger number of potent anti-oxidants and anti-cancer agents. These elements combat free radical damage, check injury to the cellular DNA and help avert cancer successfully. What‘s more, laboratory assessments verify that the anti-cancer capacity of the fruit is so powerful that it can battle the most potent cancer-triggering compound, benzo(a)pyrene.

Quick Serve Ideas for Dates

Here are a few quick serve and ideas for incorporating Dates in your routine diet,

Blend chopped dates with frozen yogurt, add them to cold or hot cereal, or include them in rice dishes and puddings.
A curry made from chick peas, lentils, onion, carrots, aubergines, roasted peanuts and diced dates, tastes scrumptious with steamed brown rice.
Minced dates make great additions to home cooked muffins, whole-wheat breads, cakes, cookies and biscuits.

Tips to Select and Store DatesSelection and storage of dates is critical, especially since the nutritive value of the food tends to perish over a period of time.

Select dates that are plump, smooth-skinned and glossy. Do not buy dates that are wrinkled, shriveled, broken, dry, or hard.
Always store dates in the refrigerator, in an air-tight container, since, dates have a predisposition to soak up other odors quickly. Ensure that the dates are stored well. Due to their high sugar content, dates attract a lot of insects. So, store them in an air-tight, well sealed container always.