These are dates, a fruit that has positioned itself as a good alternative to sweeten different gastronomic preparations.
When you browse social media for a few minutes, especially Tik Tok It is possible to see that Internet users from all over the world share innovative recipes that they have created and thus popularize certain ones. food which were not so well known before.
This is the case of the appointment , fruit which has recently attracted great interest for its powerful sweet flavor and to be an excellent alternative for sweeten different culinary preparations in a healthy way including desserts, snacks and even salads.
What are the dates?
Dates are a fruit obtained from the clusters of Phoenix dactylifera, better known as the date palm. It is a species of palm tree that has been cultivated for more than 5,000 years in North Africa and the Middle East and which began to arrive in America after colonization.
They are usually oval in shape, with a small pit inside, while their flesh is soft, with an intensely sweet and sticky flavor, similar to that of mango or melon. Its skin is characterized by being wrinkled, slightly shiny and soft to the touch.
Flavor, size and color may vary depending on the variety chosen. Medjol One of the most widely consumed date varieties in the world, they are generally larger, have chocolate-colored skin, and are extremely sweet in taste. Meanwhile, Deglet Noor Its color is more yellowish and translucent.
According to the Spanish Nutrition Foundation (FEN) Although dates have a very similar appearance and consistency to dried fruits, this is not the case. In the same palm clusters where it grows, the fruits are left to dry in the sun and can then be harvested.
Are dates healthy?
Dates have become a popular food not only because of their intensely sweet flavor that they possess by nature, but also because of their many beneficial health properties.
In fact, because of these nutritional benefits, in the North African and Middle Eastern countries where the Phoneix Dactylife palm was originally cultivated, it was called the “tree of life” or “the tree of God” because it is possible to survive in the desert on a handful of dates.
““Dates are full of natural sugars, so drying them only intensifies their sweet, candy-like flavor.” says Gillian Culbertson, a registered dietitian at Cleveland Clinic . He adds: “But just because they’re sweet doesn’t mean they’re bad for you. Dates have many benefits and are packed with nutrients your body needs.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) This little fruit is distinguished by its richness in iron, potassium, calcium and magnesium .
From its nutritional value, the vitamins A, B and K, antioxidants and fiber .
What are the benefits of dates?
Some of the benefits that can be derived from this sweet little fruit are as follows:
1. Improves gut health. The high amount of fiber provided by a serving of dates makes them an ally food to fight constipation and reduce the risk of suffering from intestinal diseases.
2. Helps prevent chronic diseases. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the antioxidants in dates are natural substances that help slow or prevent damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that are often associated with an increased risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke, respiratory illnesses and other conditions.
“Because antioxidants fight free radicals, they help prevent that domino effect of disease development,” Culbertson points out. Antioxidants in this fruit include carotenoids (which promote skin health), flavonoids (which are anti-inflammatory and antibacterial), and polyphenols (which improve heart function).
3. It is an excellent source of energy. The high calorie content of dates can be particularly useful when looking for an energy-boosting food, such as before exercising.
4. Accelerates muscle recovery. Minerals such as potassium, calcium and phosphorus are great allies for muscle recovery after physical effort and to avoid muscle cramps.
5. Helps with brain health. According to the Cleveland Clinic dietitian, several studies conducted in recent years suggest that this fruit native to North Africa could also help improve brain health, thanks to its antioxidant content.
“A study in laboratory models concluded that eating dates has benefits such as improved memory, better learning and fewer anxiety-related behaviors,” Cultberson explained.
“Dates were also linked to lower amounts of beta-amyloid proteins in the brain. Plaques formed by these proteins have been linked to the development of Alzheimer’s disease,” he adds.
Who should be careful about date consumption?
Although this food can provide several benefits to the body, it must be considered that its consumption could represent a risk to the health of some people. In this sense, you should be careful with the consumption of dates if you have:
1. Diabetes. Due to the amount of natural sugar dates contain, people with diabetes should consume this fruit more sparingly.
2. Migraine . Foods that naturally contain tyramine – such as dates – are not very beneficial for those who frequently suffer from headaches. The reason? Tyramine causes constriction of blood vessels, which triggers or exacerbates migraine episodes, which is why consumption of the fruit should be very controlled in people who frequently suffer from this condition.
3. Diets low in potassium. Those who are on a low-potassium diet under medical advice should also be concerned about very moderate consumption of dates. In fact, the mineral could trigger a health complication in these patients, especially if they suffer from kidney failure.
Source: Latercera
I am David Jack and I have been working in the news industry for over 10 years. As an experienced journalist, I specialize in covering sports news with a focus on golf. My articles have been published by some of the most respected publications in the world including The New York Times and Sports Illustrated.
