Dates - The Overlooked Fruit
Dates are very popular among Muslim households during Ramadan. We all love to break our fasts with dates as a Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Mohammedﷺ. Our fatoor table is always graced with a bowl of this delicious and nutritionally packed “superfood” throughout the month.
However, once Ramadan is over, the leftover dates are often lying on our kitchen counters and then slowly make their way towards the last row in our pantries where they are completely forgotten about.
Here are some of the reasons we should be eating dates not just in Ramadan, but all year long.
Health benefits of date fruit
1. Dates promote heart health: dates are rich in antioxidants and fiber. Fiber binds itself with cholesterol and prevents its absorption into our blood stream. This helps in stopping the cholesterol’s fatty deposits from building up in our arteries, which helps in reducing the risk of heart diseases.
2. Aids in gut health: dates are a rich source of prebiotics (food for good bacteria in our gut) such as polyphenols. Regular consumption of dates promotes the growth of the beneficial bacteria and help in improving our gut health.
3. Help treat anemia: dates are a very good source of plant based iron. They also contain vitamins, protein and calcium. All of these nutrients help in improving iron levels in our body and maintain hemoglobin levels.
4. Boosts energy: dates are high in natural sugars. They are an amazing source of ‘good carbs’ mainly fructose and glucose. Carbohydrate is the main fuel source of our muscles. Having 2-3 dates will give us a burst of instant energy.
5. Relieves constipation: the fiber in dates helps in healthy bowel moments, relieving the symptoms of constipation. Dates also have natural laxative properties that helps in relieving chronic constipation with regular consumption.
Important points to remember
As we know by now there are a number of health benefits of regularly consuming dates. However, we have to remember that there is no food that has no side effects when over consumed.
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah رضى الله عنه that the prophet Mohammed ﷺ said, “Be moderate, for there is no one among you who will be saved by his deeds. Not even me. Unless Allah encompasses me with mercy and grace from him”.
It is recommended to take 1-2 or max 3 dates every day. Preferably every morning, empty stomach, to gain the maximum benefits of this fruit and do not overconsume it.
Overconsumption of dates can lead to stomach ache, headache and diarrhea. Also it should be avoided by people who have IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and kidney disease patients. Diabetics can also enjoy dates with keeping good control of their sugar levels. It is also an ideal choice while they get in low sugar state.
Rest of us can enjoy the benefits of this nutritionally packed deliciousness all year long.
About Our Author
Fatima is an absolute inspiration for those devoted females who at first worked hard for their studies and professional dreams, but they did not get to perform long in their admired professional setup.
Instead, they prioritise home & the noble job to raise their kids under their best training institution.
Team TLN take this chance to convey a glad congratulations to all those females who sacrifice their high career dreams and yet they are doing their best where they are, managed not to get negative after ongoing sacrifices. Rather they choose to do ihsaan knowing that ALLAH loves the people of ihsaan. إن اللهَ يُحِّبُ المُحْسِنِين
We warmly welcome Fatima joining us in her own field of "Nutrition" and looking forward to her amazing work with us.
(Team TLN)
