Dried dates, like fresh dates, have albuminoids, piperine derivatives, antioxidants, pectin, water, polyphenols, vegetable fiber and sterols.
But on the other hand, the calories of dry dates are more than fresh dates; Each 100 grams of dry dates has 280 calories, but the same amount of fresh dates has 145 calories. Also, the fiber in dried dates is more than fresh dates.
The unique properties of dates and their effect on eye health
Our eyes are considered one of the most valuable sensory organs. But do we really take care of them as we should? I think not!
Instead, we strain our eyes as much as possible, either by staring at smartphones or tablets, or PCs, or by spending hours reading books or watching TV. And because of our busy schedules, we don’t go to the eye doctor very often.
Many of us believe that vision begins to deteriorate as we age, but this is not the only reason. The most important cause of vision loss is the lack of attention we show to our eyes.
About 25 million people worldwide suffer from cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Experts claim that it is the leading cause of blindness among people over 50 years old. Therefore, it is very important to start taking care of your eyes early.
Although the problem is huge, the solution is very simple. A proper diet and a healthy lifestyle can cure all your eye problems.
Did you know that certain foods contain minerals and antioxidants that have been shown to improve your vision and thereby reduce your risk of developing cataracts and macular degeneration? The miracle food we are talking about is dates.
Apart from being delicious, dates are very nutritious and therefore great for the eyes. Dates are an excellent source of fiber and natural sugar. They are also rich in vitamins (vitamin A and vitamin K), minerals, iron, calcium, magnesium, riboflavin, thiamin, zinc and folate. These properties make dates an excellent food for maintaining good eyesight. Dates are also very effective in protecting against night blindness.
A great way to consume dates to get all of their benefits is to soak them overnight in water or milk and eat them in the morning.
Dates have been used since ancient times in rural areas to improve eyesight. People used palm tree leaves to reduce the frequency of night blindness. Basically, they ground the leaves of the palm tree to obtain a smooth paste and then applied it around and on the eyes. This treatment showed very good results in the treatment of night blindness.
Dates help oral health
When it comes to eating sweets, most of them are bad for the teeth. The natural substance of dates helps to strengthen tooth enamel and also protects against plaque.
Dates reduce the desire to eat unhealthy sweet snacks.
The elemental form of fluorine is abundantly found in dates. Fluorides are beneficial for tooth structure, especially tooth enamel, and act as an anti-cavity agent. Like dates, raisins are very useful for teeth health.
Food residue in the mouth causes the growth of bacteria, which in turn leads to tooth decay. Phytochemicals in this type of fruit play a role in inhibiting the growth of bacteria.
Dates can be eaten with breakfast, with cereal or milk, or eaten alone as a snack. Dates are rich in amino acids, fiber, minerals such as calcium and phosphorus, and vitamins, especially vitamin A, B1, B2, and vitamin C.
Vitamin C in dates helps fight gum disease, strengthen weak blood vessels and prevent anemia, which in turn is beneficial for overall health.
Studies have shown that dates are also useful in the treatment of cancer. Vitamin B in dates is useful for treating inflammation as well as healing wounds on the lips, gums and mucous membranes.
The effect of dates for weight loss
Weight loss is another property of dates for weight loss. A key way to prevent obesity involves inhibiting pancreatic lipase, an enzyme produced by the pancreas, researchers noted in the study. In this study, the researchers tested several date extracts and found that they suppressed this enzyme.
In a 2020 clinical trial, researchers found that eating 3 dates a day did not increase body mass index (BMI). Therefore, it seems that people can eat a small number of dates per day without it leading to weight gain.
The authors of the study noted that although dates are high in sugar, they have a low glycemic index, meaning they have less of an impact on blood sugar than typical sugary foods.
Researchers have noted that diets high in fat and high glycemic foods cause weight gain. Therefore, people with a sweet tooth may benefit from replacing other sweet foods with dates.
Dates can also help improve cholesterol and reduce inflammation, both of which have a positive effect on weight loss.
