Black Gold: Dates

By Jaanu

Dates (Phoenix Dactylifera) are healthy, delicious, hardy fruits. Surrounded by sweet fleshy meat, dates are stone fruits with a central seed. Phoenicia is believed to be the home of date palms. Fossils evidence that date palms have existed for more than 50 million years now. Date palms grow up to 100 feet tall and have trunks made of overlaying fibrous tissues.

Today, dates grow in arid desert climates, and can be found in all seasons and conditions.

• Dates are a good source of potassium, magnesium, and calcium.
• Dried dates are rich in iron and calcium while the fresh ones are a better source of vitamin C.
• Antioxidants in dates can protect the body against inflammation.
• Ongoing research show positive results that consumption of dates helps brain function.
• Dates with their low glycemic index and high fiber content help regulate blood sugar.
• Eating dates along with milk before sleep is said to be a quick and healthy resolution to insomnia.
• Dates can be used as natural sweeteners, as a healthier alternative to artificial options.

Crave for something sweet, go to dates 🙂! Healthy treat for the healthy body 🙂

Please share thoughts or recipes @ editorjaanu@thehappyherald.org!