Date or Persimmon, the scientific name is Phoenix dactylifera. In Bengali it's called 'Khejur'. During winter in Bangladesh, Date Palm Juice is collected as raw type from the trees. In our rural areas this is a very common scenario of winter. Many traditional food items like: pitha-puli-payesh are made with this delicious Date palm Juice. Not only those but various type of jaggeries and palm-sugars are also made from this sweet juice. From long ago, across the epcho-era this tradition is maintaining in our Bangladeshi culture. Yes it's a very remarkable part of our own heritage. One of the firsts archaeological evidence of date cultivation can be found in Mehrgarh, a Neolithic civilization in western Pakistan, around 7000 BCE, as well as in eastern Arabia in 6000 BCE, having found further evidence of its cultivation throughout later civilizations in South Asia, as for example in the Harappan period extending from 2600 to 1900 BCE. In spite it wasn't clearly known at that time what the nutritional and functional constituents of dates were, many populations, especially in the Middle East, had dates as their main and most dominant source of nutrients, forming the basis of their traditional diet. Let's have a look at the health benefits of dates.
What nutrients are there in the dates? A lot indeed! Here are sweet, delicious fruits from the tropical oasis, brimming with much-needed minerals and energy to help you stay fit and healthy. Botanically; they are the fruits grow on the palm tree belonging to the family of Arecaceae. The tree is believed to originate in the lands on the banks of Nile and Euphrates Rivers of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. Date palm is now grown extensively for its edible fruits under warmer climates across all the continents. From the time it was discovered, which was thousands of years ago, dates were known to have healing powers. And while science has proved that for sure, we love to eat them mostly because of how delicious these dark fruits are. According to history, Egyptians were known to have made wine with dates a lot earlier as well.Cuisines across the world use dates in small and large quantities, but it's also important to note that the fruit of the date palm tree also comes with a lot of health benefits. Dates are a good source of various vitamins and minerals, energy, sugar, and fiber. It also contains calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and zinc.
Here are the common benefits of consuming Date and Date Palm juice-
Lowers cholesterol: Did you know that dates are free from cholesterol, and contain very little fat? Including them in smaller quantities in your daily diet can help you keep a check on cholesterol level, and even assist in weight loss.
Protein rich: Dates are a strong source of proteins that help us in staying fit, and even keep our muscles strong. A lot of regular gym goers are asked to eat a couple of dates every day as part of their daily routine. Rich in vitamins: Dates contain vitamins such as B1, B2, B3 and B5, as well as A1 and C. If you have a few dates every day, you won't have to take vitamin supplements. Not only will it keep you healthy, there will be a noticeable change in your energy levels as well because dates contain natural sugars such as glucose, sucrose, and fructose, too. So it works really well as a quick snack.
Improves bone health: Dates are rich in selenium, manganese, copper, and magnesium, and all of these are required when it comes to keeping our bones healthy, and preventing conditions such as osteoporosis. Strengthens the nervous system: Date are loaded with potassium and yet contain little sodium, and that goes a long way in keeping your nervous system in order. The potassium helps to reduce cholesterol and keeps the risk of a stroke in check.
Rich in iron: Apart from the fluorine that keeps your teeth healthy, dates also contain iron, which is highly recommended for those who suffer from iron deficiency. Plus it's great for blood purification as well. Promotes digestion: If you soak a few dates in water and chew on them daily, your digestive system will behave itself very well. Plus it's recommended for those who have trouble with constipation. Improves skin: The vitamins C and D works on your skin's elasticity, and also keeps your skin smooth. Plus, if you suffer from skin problems, incorporating dates into your diet might help you in the long run. Plus dates also come with anti-ageing benefits and prevent the accumulation of melanin in your body.