Dates are the fruit of the date
palm tree and are grown primarily in dry, arid regions, such as the
Middle East and parts of California. Though dates are often used as an
ingredient in sweets and other recipes, they offer several nutritional
benefits when eaten fresh and pitted.
Won't Raise Blood Sugar
One
of the main reasons people avoid eating dates is the belief that they
will raise their blood sugar levels, but studies have shown that belief
to be erroneous. The May 28, 2011, issue of "Nutrition Journal" reports a
study in which date consumption was tested on diabetics. The study
shows that while dates contain high amounts of natural sugars, they are
actually a low-glycemic index food and did not significantly raise blood
sugar levels after they were eaten. If you are diabetic, speak to your
doctor before adding dates to your diet so that you can monitor your
blood sugar levels and determine how dates affect you personally.
Increase Fiber Intake
Dates
are loaded with fiber. According to the USDA National Nutrient
Database, just one pitted date contains 1.6 g of fiber, or 6 percent of
the recommended daily intake. Fiber is known for its ability to help
lower cholesterol and fight and prevent obesity, heart disease and
colorectal cancer. The November 2008 issue of "Critical Reviews in Food
Science and Nutrition" reports that the fiber in dates is primarily
insoluble fiber, which binds to fat and cholesterol and carries it out
of the body.
Lower Triglycerides
Though
the fiber in dates has the ability to lower cholesterol levels,
researchers at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Israel
report that dates have better results at lowering triglyceride levels,
which is another type of fat in the blood. A study published in the
Sept. 9, 2009, issue of the "Journal of Agricultural and Food
Chemistry," shows that consuming dates may lower triglycerides by 8 to
15 percent. Reducing your triglyceride levels will lower your risk of
hardening of the arteries, heart attack and stroke, according to the
National Institutes of Health.
Increase Vitamin and Mineral Intake
Adding
dates to your diet delivers vitamins and minerals that are necessary to
maintain optimum health. The primary vitamins in dates are the B
vitamin family, with vitamin B-6 topping the list. The B vitamins help
with the metabolism of food and the formation of new blood cells. Other
vitamins include K and A. Dates are an excellent source or minerals,
with potassium in the No. 1 spot. Copper, manganese, magnesium, calcium,
phosphorous, iron and zinc complete the mineral profile. The body only
needs small amounts of minerals, but if it is depleted of any one, it
can be disastrous to your health. Snacking on dates can help you build
up your body's mineral stores.
Carbohydrates
Dates
are a good source of energy. Up to 80 percent of the date flesh is
sugar that the body can easily access for energy. Fresh dates have a
somewhat lower percentage of sugar because the contain more moisture
than dried dates, and the sugar in dried dates is more concentrated, but
fresh dates are still a good source of carbohydrates.
Fiber
Dates
are also a food source of fiber, according to Dr. Al-Farsi. For every
100 g of dates, approximately 8 g is fiber. Most of the fiber is of the
insoluble type, meaning that its major health-promoting effect is to add
bulk to stool and help food move through the intestinal tract.
Low Fat
Another
health benefit of dates is that they are low fat. In 100 g of dates,
only a fraction of a gram is saturated fats. Saturated fats can raise
serum cholesterol and lead to blood vessel and heart disease, so eating
foods low in these types of fats is part of a healthy diet.
Here are some recipes:
Stay Tuned...
Sponsored by:
http://seermust.com maker of the most delicious and potent garlic sauce available in the market
Whats up! I just would like to give an enormous thumbs up for the great data you might have right here on this post. I will be coming again to your weblog for more soon. online casinos
ReplyDelete