The Nutrients in Dates

We know that too much sugar ain't good for you. Man-made sugar's are the worst of its kind. Why not substitute with natural sweetness? A date or two perhaps? Oh, just so you know, I ain't perfect either. I do indulge in those chocolates and whatnots man-made stuffs. Just sharing with you a little thing or two of what I know that'll benefit to ALL readers alike. Here goes...

We've been tricked BIG time suckers!!! >>>

"It is completely natural to desire something sweet. A sweet flavor is a signal to the body that there will be an abundance of easily-assimilated energy. With processed sugar, the body has been tricked into feeling satisfied, when in fact, the sweetness is completely deficient in essential vitamins, minerals, trace minerals and enzymes which would normally be present. A chocolate bar may satisfy hunger because of the high amount of sugar and fat, but it has created a deficit in the nutrients the body needs to run efficiently. Hence, we have people who are overweight, yet their bodies are starving for nutrients." (Quoted by Healthrecipes.com)

Here's another site which further explains why we Muslims practise eating dates during fasting. Apart from revitalising the intake of sugar that's loss during the day, other factors do play a part too. So, ALL Muslimins and Muslimats, DO NOT gulp down that huge mug of ice Bandung when breaking fast. Instead have at least 3 dates (fresh or dried) and sip some water in betweens. You'll feel the difference AND you'll lose the weights too! Insya'Allah.

Now, let's educate ourselves and then practise >>>

"Food Value >> The date is a food of high nutritional value. It provides natural sugar in the form of glucose and fructose. This sugar is ready for immediate absorption and is, therefore, infinitely superior to cane sugar. It is usually taken raw or with milk, which makes it highly nutritious in most respects. Taking it with curdled milk is also common. In Sahara, rich people take it with butter by removing the seed and filling the cavity with butter. It is a scientific way of taking fat. It is also taken in several cooked forms. The seeds of the fruit, roasted and ground into powder makes a beverage like coffee, called ‘date coffee’. The date palm yields a sweet juice of high food value. It can be taken fresh with great advantage or make into a tasty country sugar. Analyzed as - Energy: 287kcal, Glucose: Min 41%, Frutose: Min 29%, Fiber: 4.0g. Protein: 3.3g, Iron: 2.60g, Carbohydrate: 68.0g, Brix:70 +/- 1%, Vitamin BI: 0.03mg, Vitamin B2: 0.06mg and Vitamin C: 2.60mg. Produced under the most modern and hygienic conditions. You can eat date as a Complement to bread, mix it with cold or hot milk and drink. It can be used as a topping on ice-cream and also be used as a sweeterner while making cookies. You can eat it raw along with milk and cereals. Great way to start the day!

Natural Benefits and Curative Properties >> Dates are valuable as medicine for their tonic effect. Being easily digested, they are very useful for supplying energy and repairing waste. Milk in which clean and fresh dates have been boiled is a very nourishing and restorative drink to children and adults alike, especially during convalescence.

Constipation >> The date is a laxative food. It is highly beneficial in the treatment of constipation as the roughage provided by it stimulates sluggish bowels. They should be immersed in water at night and taken after making them into a fine syrup the next morning to secure laxative effect.

Intoxication >> Dates are an excellent remedy for alcoholic intoxication. In such cases, drinking water in which fresh dates have been rubbed or soaked will bring quick relief.

Weak Heart >> Dates are an effective remedy for weak heart. Dates soaked overnight in water and crushed in the same water in the morning after removing the seeds should be taken at least twice a week in this condition. It will strengthen the heart.

Sexual Debility >> Dates are highly beneficial in the treatment of sexual weakness. A handful of dates soaked in fresh goat’s milk overnight should be ground in the same milk in the morning. A pinch of cardamom powder and honey should be mixed in this preparation. This becomes a very useful tonic for improving sex stamina and sterility due to functional disorders.

Children’s Diseases >> According to Dr. Aman, a date tied to the wrist of the baby and allowed to be sucked by him during teething time hardens the gums and prevents other complaints like fretfulness and diarrhoea. A teaspoonful of paste of the date prepared with honey is an effective medicine for diarrhoea and dysentery during teething. It should be given three times a day.
Extracted from: http://www.sahravi.com/dates/iranian-date-nectar-honey-syrup.htm

The fruit because of its tanin content , is used medicinally as a detersive and astringent in intestinal troubles. In the form of an infusion, decoctin, syrup or paste, is adminstered as a treatment for sore throat, colds, bronchial catarrh. It is taken to relieve fever, cystitis, gonorrhea, edema, liver and abdominal troubles. A gum that exudes from the tree trunk is employed in India for treating diarrhea and genito-urinary ailments.It is diuretic and demulcent. The root of the plant is used against toothache. The pollen yields an estrogenic principle, estrone and has a gonadotropic effect on young rats."

Being a Muslim, I reckon we DON'T or if I may say this right, DO NOT WANT to acknowledge the richness and nutritional values this fruit has installed for us. We need Science to prove it all. The modern world (sigh...) It's goodness had been in the Quran for eons. Educate, educate and educate is the key to let our younger generations (including ourselves too) know that what our faith taught us and had been long proven before the age of Science. Sometimes, even Science can't prove certain facts!

ALLAH MAHA BERKUASA HENDAKNYA.
Dates Bread - Loaf type