HEALTH BENEFITS AND USEFULNESS OF DATES

DATES/DATE PALM

yoruba: labidun
Binomial name: Phoenix dactylifera


ABSTRACT

Despite the numerous benefits which can be derived from eating dates,it is not well recongnized by many Nigerians.dates are to become staple food,instead of considering it as ordinary sweat fruit.
this article will open your eyes and change your thought about dates.in fact ever since have come to realize the health benefit of eating date everyday,i've made it a staple food and obligatory.this article presents:
Nutritional content;
Health benefits, and
various form of which it can be eaten.
Uses of other parts of dates and dates-palm, and Limitation due to pest and diseases.


* NUTRITIONAL  VALUE OF DATES

nutritional value per100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy 1,178 kJ (282 kcal)
Carbohydrates 75.03 g
Sugars 63.35 g
Dietary fiber 8 g
Fat 0.39 g
Protein 2.45 g
Vitamins
Vitamin A equiv.
beta-carotene
luteinzeaxanthin
(0%) 6 μg
75 μg
Vitamin A 10 IU
Thiamine (B1) (5%) 0.052 mg
Riboflavin (B2) (6%) 0.066 mg
Niacin (B3) (8%) 1.274 mg
Pantothenic acid (B5) (12%) 0.589 mg
Vitamin B6 (13%) 0.165 mg
Folate (B9) (5%) 19 μg
Vitamin C (0%) 0.4 mg
Vitamin E (0%) 0.05 mg
Vitamin K (3%) 2.7 μg
Minerals
Calcium (4%) 39 mg
Iron (8%) 1.02 mg
Magnesium (12%) 43 mg
Manganese (12%) 0.262 mg
Phosphorus (9%) 62 mg
Potassium (14%) 656 mg
Sodium (0%) 2 mg
Zinc (3%) 0.29 mg
Other constituents
Water 20.53 g
μg = micrograms • mg = milligrams
IU = International units
Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults.
Source: wikipedia




* HEALTH BENEFITS OF DATES


Overview
The benefits of dates include relief from constipation,intestinal disorders, heart problems, anemia , sexual
dysfunctions, diarrhea , abdominal cancer, and many other conditions. Dates are also good for gaining weight.
These delicious fruits contain oil,calcium, sulfur, iron , potassium,phosphorous, manganese , copper and magnesium which are all beneficial for health. Some health specialists have said that eating one date per day is necessary for a balanced and healthy diet.
The massive health benefits of dates have made them one of the best ingredients for muscle development.
People consume them in several ways, such as mixing the paste of the dates with milk , yogurt or with bread or butter to make them even more delicious. The paste is beneficial for both adults and
children, especially during a time of recovery from injury or illness.
According to a modern medical survey, it is now accepted that dates are useful in preventing abdominal cancer. Muslims break their fast by eating them and water according to their cultural traditions.
This also helps avoid overeating of food once the fast is over. When the body begins to absorb the high nutritional value of the dates, feelings of hunger are pacified. Also, the nervous system can get a lot of help from consuming dates, since they have significant amounts of potassium.
Dates are one of the best sweet and versatile foods that can regulate the digestive process. It can significantly boost energy levels in people within half
an hour of consuming it. The American Cancer Society recommends an intake of 20-35 grams of dietary fiber per day, which can be supplied through dates. It is also said that taking one date per a day will help you to maintain your eye health all your life.
They are commonly known to be quite effective in guarding against the problem of night blindness.
Below are the breakdown of health benefits you can derive from consuming dates.


- CONSTIPATION:
Dates are often categorized as a laxative food. This is why they are so frequently eaten by people suffering from constipation. In order to achieve the desired laxative effect of dates, you
should soak some of them in water over night, then consume it in the morning when it becomes like a syrup, to get the most optimal results. They have
high levels of soluble fiber, which is essential in promoting healthy bowel movements and the comfortable passage of food through the intestinal tract, which can relieve symptoms of constipation.

- BONE HEALTH AND STRENGTH:
 The significant amounts of minerals found in dates make it a super food for strengthening bones and fighting off painful and debilitating diseases like osteoporosis . Date contains
selenium , manganese, copper, and magnesium, all of which are integral to healthy bone development and strength, particularly as people begin to age and their bones gradually weaken. So eat your dates and give a boost to your bones!

- INTERNAL DISORDER:
The nicotine content in dates is thought to be beneficial for curing many kinds of intestinal disorders. Continuous intake helps to inhibit growth of the pathological organisms and thus, they help stimulate the growth of friendly bacteria in the intestines. In terms of digestive issues, they contain insoluble and soluble fibers, as well as many beneficial amino acids which can stimulate the digestion of food and make it more efficient, meaning that more nutrients will be absorbed by the digestive tract and enter your body for proper usage.


ANAEMIA:
Dates have a high mineral content, which is
beneficial for many different health conditions, but
their impressive levels of iron make them a perfect
dietary supplement for people suffering from anemia.
The high level of iron balances out the inherent lack
of iron in anemic patients, increasing energy and
strength, while decreasing feelings of fatigue and
sluggishness.


AllERGIES:
One of the most interesting facets of dates
is the presence of organic sulfur in them. This is not
a very common element to find in foods, but it does
have a worthwhile amount of health benefits,
including the reduction of allergic reactions and
seasonal allergies . According to a study done in
2002, organic sulfur compounds can have a positive
impact on the amount of suffering people experience
from SAR (Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis), which affects
approximately 23 million people in the United States
alone. They are a great way to somewhat stem the
effects of those seasonal allergies through its
contributions of sulfur to the diet.


- WEIGHT GAIN:
Dates should be included as a part of a
healthy diet. They consist of sugar, proteins and
many essential vitamins. If dates are consumed with
cucumber paste, you can keep your weight at a
normal, balanced level, rather than over-slimming.
One kilogram of dates contains almost 3,000 calories,
and the calories in them are sufficient to meet the
daily requirements for a human body. Of course, you
should not eat just dates throughout the day. If you
are thin and slim and want to increase your weight,
or if you are trying to build your muscles to impress
some girl, or you have become weak due to a serious
medical problem – you need to eat dates!


- ENERGY BOOSTER:
 Dates are high in natural sugars like
glucose, fructose, and sucrose. Therefore, they are
the perfect snack for an immediate burst of energy.
Many people around the world use dates for a quick
afternoon snack when they are feeling lethargic or
sluggish. Often when you exercise in a gym, outside
or even on a stretching machine at home, you feel
exhausted, chewing few dates at such times helps
you regain your energy immediately.


- NERVOUS SYSTEM HEALTH:
 The vitamins present in dates make it an ideal boost to nervous system health and functionality. Potassium is one of the
prime ingredients in promoting a healthy and responsive nervous system, and it also improves the speed and alertness of brain activity. Therefore,
they are a wonderful food source for people as they begin to age and their nervous system becomes
sluggish or unsupported, as well as for people who want to keep their mind sharp.

- HEALTHY HEART:
Dates are quite helpful in keeping your heart healthy. When they are soaked for the night, crushed in the morning and then consumed, they have been shown to have a positive effect on weak hearts. They are also a rich source of potassium,
which studies have shown to reduce the risk of stroke and other heart related diseases. Furthermore,they are suggested as a healthy and delicious way to
reduce the levels of LDL cholesterol in the body,
which is a major contributing factor of heart attacks, heart disease, and stroke. Therefore, when taken twice a week, dates can seriously improve the overall
health of the heart.


- SEXUAL WEAKNESS:
Studies have shown that dates are even beneficial for increasing sexual stamina. Soak a handful of dates in fresh goat’s milk over night, then grind them in the same milk with a mixture of cardamom powder and honey. This mixture becomes a very useful tonic for increasing sexual endurance
and reducing sterility caused by various sexual disorders. The science behind this phenomenon is largely due to traditional usage which stimulated formal research. In 2006, Bahmanpour studied the effects of date palms and their oil on sexual functioning and found that the high levels of estradiol and flavonoid components of dates are what increase sperm count and motility, as well as promoting increased testes size and weight. So, if you are looking for a masculine boost, eat some dates, because they are a great natural aphrodisiac!


- NIGHT BLINDNESS:
The benefits of dates are extensive, and are commonly employed to fight off various conditions affecting the ear, nose, and throat. When the leaves of the date palm are ground into a paste and rubbed on and around the eyes, or when dates are ingested orally, it has been shown to reduce the frequency of night blindness, and this solution is commonly used in rural areas where dates grow as an alternative medicine.


- INTOXICATION:
Dates are commonly used as a remedy for alcoholic intoxication. They provide quick relief and have a sobering effect in case you feel as though have consumed an uncomfortable amount of alcohol.
They can also be used the following morning to prevent severe hangovers.Again,they should be rubbed and soaked overnight for the best results.


- DIARRHEA:
 Ripe dates contain potassium, which is known as an effective way of controlling diarrhea.They are also easy to digest, which further helps alleviate the unpredictable nature of chronic diarrhea.
The soluble fiber in them can also help relieve diarrhea, by providing bulk to the bowel movements
and promoting normal, healthy functioning of the excretory system.


- ABDOMINAL CANCER:
Research has pointed towards dates being a legitimate way to reduce the risk and impact of abdominal cancer. They work as a useful tonic for all age groups, and in some cases, they work better than traditional medicines, and are natural, so they don’t have any negative side effects on the human body. They can be quickly and easily digested for a quick boost of energy.


*FORMS IN WHICH DATES CAN BE CONSUMED

Dry or soft dates are eaten out-of-hand, or may be pitted and stuffed with fillings such as almonds, walnuts, pecans, candied orange and lemonpeel.Pitted dates are also referred to as stoned dates. Partially dried pitted dates may be glazed with glucose syrup for use as a snack food. Dates can also be chopped and used in a range of sweet and savory dishes, from tajines (tagines) in Morocco to puddings, ka'ak (types of Arab cookies) and other dessert items. Date nut bread, a type of cake, is very popular in the United States, especially around holidays. Dates are also processed into cubes, paste called "'ajwa", spread, date syrup or "honey" called "dibs" or "rub" in Libya, powder (date sugar), vinegar or alcohol. Vinegar made from dates is a traditional product of the Middle East.
Recent innovations include chocolate-covered dates and products such as sparkling date juice, used in some Islamic countries as a non-alcoholic version of champagne, for special occasions and religious times such as Ramadan. When Muslims break fast in the evening meal of Ramadan, it is traditional to eat a date first.
Dates can also be dehydrated, ground and mixed with grain to form a nutritious stockfeed.

In Israel date syrup, termed "silan", is used while cooking chicken and also for sweet and desserts, and as a honey substitute.
source:organicfact portal.


OTHER USES OF DATES
In Pakistan, a viscous, thick syrup made from the ripe fruits is used as a coating for leather bags and pipes to prevent leaking.


USEFULNESS OF OTHER PARTS OF DATES AND DATES-PALM

Where craft traditions still thrive, such as in Oman, the palm tree is the most versatile of all indigenous plants, and virtually every part of the tree is utilized to make functional items ranging from rope and baskets to beehives, fishing boats, and traditional dwellings.

- Seeds
Date seeds are soaked and ground up for animal feed. Their oil is suitable for use in soap and cosmetics. Date palm seeds contain 0.56–5.4% lauric acid. They can also be processed chemically as a source of oxalic acid. The seeds are also burned to make charcoal for silversmiths[citation needed], and can be strung in necklaces. Date seeds are also ground and used in the manner of coffee beans, or as an additive to coffee. Experimental studies have shown that feeding mice with the aqueous extract of date pits exhibit anti-genotoxic and reduce DNA damage induced by N-Nitroso-N-methylurea.

- Fruit clusters
Stripped fruit clusters are used as brooms. Recently the floral stalks have been found to be of ornamental value in households.

- Sap

Sweet sap tapped from date palm in West Bengal, India In large parts of Northern India the local species of wild date palm, Phoenix sylvestris, is tapped for palm wine, while in Bangladesh, Pakistan and other countries in the region it is now mostly tapped for jaggery and palm syrup production. Wild date palms are also tapped in large parts of Africa for palm wine. The process of palm tapping involves the cutting of the unopened flower stalk and then fastening a bottle gourd, clay or plastic vessel on to it. The palm sap then collects in the vessel and is harvested in the early morning hours. If a few drops of lime juice are added to the palm sap, fermentation can be stopped and the sap can then be boiled to form palm syrup, palm sugar, jaggery and numerous other edible products derived from the syrup. In Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, North Africa, Ghana, and Ivory Coast, date palms are tapped for the sweet sap, which is converted into palm sugar (known as jaggery or gur), molasses or alcoholic beverages. In North Africa the sap obtained from tapping palm trees is known as lāgbī. If left for a sufficient period of time (typically hours, depending on the temperature) lāgbī easily becomes an alcoholic drink.[citation needed] Special skill is required when tapping the palm tree so that it does not die.

- Leaves
Date palm leaves are used for Palm Sunday in the Christian religion. In North Africa, they are commonly used for making huts. Mature leaves are also made into mats, screens, baskets and fans. Processed leaves can be used for insulating board. Dried leaf petioles are a source of cellulose pulp, used for walking sticks, brooms, fishing floats and fuel. Leaf sheaths are prized for their scent, and fibre from them is also used for rope, coarse cloth, and large hats. The leaves are also used as a lulav in the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.

Young date leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable, as is the terminal bud or heart, though its removal kills the palm. The finely ground seeds are mixed with flour to make bread in times of scarcity. The flowers of the date palm are also edible. Traditionally the female flowers are the most available for sale and weigh 300–400 grams. The flower buds are used in salad or ground with dried fish to make a condiment for bread.

- Wood
Date palm wood is used for posts and rafters for huts; it is lighter than coconut and not very durable. It is also used for construction such as bridges and aqueducts, and parts of dhows. Leftover wood is burn


*LIMITATION

Date Palms are susceptible to a disease called Bayoud disease, which is caused by the fungusFusarium oxysporum. This disease, which kills many of the popular older cultivars like Deglet Noor, has led to a major decline in production where it is present, notably Morocco and western Algeria. However, new cultivars resistant to the disease are being developed.A major palm pest, the red palm beetle (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) currently poses a significant threat to date production in parts of the Middle East as well as to iconic landscape specimens throughout the Mediterranean world.

*PRECAUTION

Although dates carry tremendous nutritional values,great care should be taken in their selection because their surface is very sticky, which often attracts various impurities. Therefore, you should only consume the ones that are processed and packaged properly. Also, make sure to wash them thoroughly before you eat them, as this will help remove the
impurities present on the surface.

References
Wikipedia

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/
pii/S0963996910002243

http://www.familynutritiononline.com/Health
%20Articles/health_benefits_of_dates.htm

http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/2498?