5 Reasons Why They Are A Superfood

Dates may be a popular fruit of choice during Ramadan, but not so much for the rest of the year – and it’s a crying shame. Dates make delicious smoothies, chocolatey treats, and tons of other vegan goodies. Heck, they’re even tasty by themselves – especially juicy medjool dates. As well as being tasty, there are also many health benefits of dates – a surprising amount.

Dates aren’t just an under-rated member of the dried fruit family; they’re also considered a superfood. ‘Superfood’ is a term lots of health magazines and journals use to describe kinds of foods that are – well – super! Dates are jam-packed with positive vitamins, antioxidants and so many health benefits that other fruits should be ashamed of themselves.

Dates are bursting with vitamins and minerals

One of the great health benefits of dates is that you shouldn’t need to take vitamin supplements. A diet with dates in it can give you a surplus quantity of some highly beneficial vitamins. Dates contain many different vitamins, such as B1, B2, B3, B5, A1 and C – just to name a few. Try a few dates a day!

Dates bring plenty of minerals to the body too, which keeps your bones strong. Dates have been shown to help strengthen bones which help you avoid the risks of osteoporosis.

They help treat all sorts of ailments!

We’ve already mentioned osteoporosis, but with the sheer volume of health benefits of dates, you can safeguard yourself against so much more. The nutrients in dates can help you treat intestinal disorder, maintain a healthy nervous system, keep your heart rate at a steady pace, and lower the risk of abdominal cancer.

There are less drastic ailments you can help too. Dates work wonders if you’re trying to sober up and they’ve even been known to work well as aphrodisiacs. In other parts of the world dates are commonly used as alternative medicine – it would be common practice to turn date leaves into a paste and apply it to the face to treat ear, nose and mouth ailments.

Dates are a natural laxative that helps relieve constipation

This is one of the less-popular health benefits of dates. Whether you see this as a good or bad thing, dates work great as a laxative and help digestion. This makes dates a handy snack if you need to make a bowel movement.

Dates are helpful in this regard because of their fibre content. Dates are a brilliant source of soluble fibre, which helps food to comfortably flow through your intestines and make your toilet trip as comfortable as possible.

You can treat diarrhoea with dates too, as they have lots of potassium in them. This helps to control how loose your bowels are to alleviate discomfort. This, combined with the soluble fibre, helps get your bowels functioning comfortably.

Keeps your cells and body fighting fit

Dates can not only make you fighting fit in the here and now, but also helps you avoid later health issues. The iron content of dates makes sure you avoid anaemia and is even used to cure anaemia in those who already suffer from it.

As mentioned earlier, dates are high in potassium content which is essential for your body’s cells and fluids. Without potassium in the cells your brain, body and pretty much everything else about you will cease to function. Regular doses of potassium in your diet are great for maintaining a healthy blood flow and a manageable heart rate.

To top it all off, potassium also helps prevent kidney stones too. Kidney stones are rarely ever lethal, but we definitely wouldn’t recommend them to anyone either.

They’re a brilliant source of energy – just don’t overdo it

Some studies have shown that you can experience a massive boost in energy in as little as 30 minutes from first consumption. Dates contain lots of natural sugars that give you a quick kick of energy to keep you going through the day.

This makes dates a much better pick-me-up than addictive caffeine drinks that’ll leave you sluggish. Health benefits from dates can work in tandem with other healthy lifestyle choices such as exercising at the gym or going for a run.

Of course, with any natural sugars come added calories, but burning these off shouldn’t be a problem. You can either burn off the calories with basic exercise throughout the day or use dates as a healthy way to gain weight. This is ideal for anyone who has suffered from a suppressed appetite from illness.

This doesn’t even scratch the surface…

There are too many positives to fit into one blog. To think all of this can come from one humble fruit is fascinating in of itself. Why not try working our range of delicious dates into the next recipe you try? There’s countless desserts that use medjool dates as the main ingredients. Make something that’s both tasty and has the health benefits of dates conveniently worked in.

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8 Emerging Health Benefits of Quince (And How to Eat It)

Quince (Cydonia oblonga) is an ancient fruit native to various parts of Asia and the Mediterranean.

Its cultivation can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome, where it served as a symbol of love and fertility. Although considerably less common today, quinces are close relatives of popular fruits like apples and pears (1).

They’ve been used in folk medicine for decades, but scientific research on their benefits is still in the early stages (2).

Here are 8 emerging health benefits of quince, plus a few simple tips for including it in your diet.

Quinces contain fiber and several essential vitamins and minerals, making them a nutritious addition to almost any diet.

A single, 3.2-ounce (92-gram) quince provides the following (3):

• Calories: 52
• Fat: 0 grams
• Protein: 0.3 grams
• Carbs: 14 grams
• Fiber: 1.75 grams
• Vitamin C: 15% of the Daily Value (DV)
• Thiamine (vitamin B1): 1.5% of the DV
• Vitamin B6: 2% of the DV
• Copper: 13% of the DV
• Iron: 3. 6% of the DV
• Potassium: 4% of the DV
• Magnesium: 2% of the DV

As you can see, this fruit supplies moderate amounts of vitamin C and copper, plus small amounts of B vitamins, iron, potassium, and magnesium.

While not extraordinarily rich in any specific compound, quinces offer a wide array of nutrients for very few calories.

Summary

Quinces are low in calories and boast a variety of essential vitamins and minerals, making them a nutritious fruit.

Many of the benefits associated with quinces can be attributed to the fruit’s rich supply of antioxidants.

Antioxidants reduce metabolic stress, lower inflammation, and protect your cells against damage by free radicals, which are unstable molecules (4).

Some research suggests that some antioxidants in quinces, including flavonols like quercetin and kaempferol, reduce inflammation and safeguard against chronic illnesses like heart disease (5, 6).

Summary

Quinces offer a rich supply of antioxidants, which may reduce metabolic stress and inflammation while protecting your cells from free radical damage.

Some of the most common symptoms during early pregnancy are nausea and vomiting.

Some research indicates that quinces may help relieve these symptoms.

One study in 76 pregnant women noted that 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of quince syrup was significantly more effective than 20 mg of vitamin B6 at reducing pregnancy-induced nausea (7).

Although these results are promising, more research is needed.

Summary

A recent study found quince syrup to be significantly more effective than vitamin B6 at reducing pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting. Still, more studies are necessary.

Quinces have long been used in traditional and folk medicine to treat a variety of digestive disorders (2).

Recent research suggests that quince extract may protect gut tissue against damage related to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis.

In a study in rats with ulcerative colitis, those given quince extract and juice had significantly reduced colon tissue damage, compared with the control group (8).

Still, human studies are needed.

Summary

Though human research is necessary, an animal study suggests that quinces may protect against gut damage associated with IBD.

Early research suggests that plant compounds in quinces may help prevent and treat stomach ulcers.

In a test-tube study, quince juice inhibited the growth of H. pylori, a bacterium known to cause stomach ulcers (2).

Meanwhile, a study in rats found that quince extract protected against alcohol-induced stomach ulcers (9).

Although these results are encouraging, additional research is needed.

Summary

Test-tube and animal research indicates that quinces may safeguard against stomach ulcers, but human studies are needed.

Several studies suggest that quince syrup may help manage symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), commonly known as acid reflux.

A 7-week study in 80 children with acid reflux found that supplementing with quince syrup daily was as effective as medication that’s traditionally used to alleviate symptoms of this condition (10).

In a study in 137 pregnant women, a 10-mg dose of quince syrup taken after meals was likewise shown to be as effective as traditional medication at relieving acid reflux symptoms (11).

Additionally, in a 4-week study in 96 children with acid reflux, using quince concentrate alongside traditional medication improved symptoms — such as vomiting, food aversion, burping, and abdominal pain — to a greater extent than taking the medication alone (12).

Nonetheless, more studies are needed.

Summary

A handful of studies suggest that quince syrup is as effective as traditional medications used to manage acid reflux symptoms.

Quinces may alleviate various allergy symptoms by suppressing the activity of certain immune cells responsible for allergic reactions (2).

Gencydo, a commercial allergy medication, combines lemon juice and quince fruit extract. A few small studies support its ability to prevent and treat mild allergic reactions, such as runny nose and asthma (2).

Additionally, mice studies note that quince fruit and seed extracts may prevent and treat artificially induced allergic dermatitis. Yet, it remains unclear whether they would have the same effect in people (2, 13).

While some experts speculate that quince products may be a safe alternative to traditional allergy medications, more research is needed.

Summary

Compounds in quince may fight common, mild allergic reactions like inflamed skin, runny nose, and asthma. However, further studies are needed.

Quinces may support your immune system.

Several test-tube studies reveal it has antibacterial properties that may help prevent the overgrowth of certain harmful bacteria, such as E. coli and S. aureus (2).

Additionally, a single quince packs 15% of the DV for vitamin C, which is essential for a healthy, functioning immune system (3, 14).

One fruit likewise provides 6–8% of the daily recommendation for fiber. Adequate fiber intake supports the healthy bacteria living in your digestive tract, collectively known as the gut microbiome (3, 15).

Maintaining a healthy gut microbiome may reduce inflammation and improve resistance to infections from harmful bacteria in your digestive tract (15).

Summary

Quinces contain vitamin C and fiber, two nutrients that support a healthy immune system. They may also have antibacterial properties.

Unlike more popular fruits, quinces are rarely eaten raw. Even when ripe, raw quinces have very a tough flesh and sour, astringent flavor.

Thus, most quince lovers agree that the fruit is best eaten cooked.

After slicing a quince, place it in a pot with water and a small amount of sugar, letting it simmer until the flesh softens. You can also experiment with adding spices like vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, and star anise.

You can eat cooked quince on its own or use it to top oatmeal, yogurt, or roasted pork. It also makes a delicious addition to fruit tarts and pies.

What’s more, you can make quince jam. However, you should be mindful of the sugar content, as jam tends to be high in added sugar and easy to overeat.

Summary

Because of their tough flesh and sour flavor, quinces are best eaten cooked. You can use cooked quince to top oatmeal, yogurt, or roasted meats.

Quinces are an ancient fruit with a unique flavor and several potential benefits.

They may help treat digestive disorders, allergies, and high blood sugar, though more research is needed.

Unlike other fruits, quinces aren’t eaten raw. Instead, they’re best cooked or turned into jam.

If you’re interested in spicing up your fruit routine, give quinces a try.

She ate 3 dates for 12 days and this is what happened (video)

Dates are very good for your health. They relieve constipation, heart problems, bowel problems, anemia, diarrhea, abdominal cancer, sexual dysfunction, and many other problems.

Dates are also very useful in the process of weight loss. They are a rich source of vitamins, minerals and fibers that are essential for proper digestion.

Dates are an ideal substitute for sugar because they are rich in natural sugars.

Nutritional value of dates

Dates are rich in vitamins and minerals. They are filled with sugar, energy and fiber.

In addition, dates will provide you with phosphorus, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc. Their vitamin content includes riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, folate, vitamin A and K.

Rich in iron

Dates are especially beneficial for people with anemia due to their iron content. Dates will increase your energy and strength, as well as reduce feelings of fatigue and laziness. 10% of the recommended dose of iron is included in 100g of dates.

Iron is vital to your health because it carries oxygen into your bloodstream and is especially important for pregnant women and children.

Bone health and strength

The minerals found in these fruits are vital for the health of your bones. They fight painful and debilitating diseases like osteoporosis.

They allow bones to develop properly, especially in people who begin to age and their bones become progressively weaker due to increased levels of selenium, manganese and copper.

An abundance of eye vitamins

“Eye vitamins” are very important for the health of your vision, including the retina and macula, because they protect them from damage and improve your vision.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are included in these eye vitamins.

Treats diarrhea

Ripe dates contain potassium and are useful in treating diarrhea because they are easy to digest.

This fruit allows the normal functioning of the excretory system, since the fiber treats diarrhea.

Treats constipation

Since dates are easy to digest, they also relieve constipation. Add a few dates to a glass of water and leave them overnight.

Drink water the next morning because it will work as a natural laxative.

It eliminates toxins from your body and improves the health of your intestines.

Regulates weight

Eating dates on an empty stomach will allow you to regulate your bowel function.

In any case, dates should be consumed in moderation because they are rich in sugars, which can increase your body weight. 1 kg of dates contains 3,000 calories.

Heart health

This fruit is very good for heart health. It strengthens a weak heart. All you have to do is soak a few dates in a glass of water and then eat them in the morning.

Potassium in dates will reduce the risk of stroke and other diseases that affect your heart.

Treats hypertension

5-6 dates include 80 mg of magnesium, which is very good for your blood vessels.

A study showed that 370 mg of magnesium daily lowered blood pressure.

Stroke Prevention

Due to their potassium content, dates improve the health of your nervous system.

Several studies have shown that 400 mg of potassium per day reduces the risk of stroke by 40%.

Benefits for the brain

Thanks to their phosphorus content, dates are very beneficial for the brain.

Energy booster

If you don’t have enough energy, you should eat dates. Mix dates with milk and get all the natural sugars included in them: glucose, lactose and sucrose.

Sexual Weakness

Boost your libido and overall energy by mixing a few dates with goat’s milk. Soak dates in milk overnight.

Add honey and cardamom in the morning and consume the mixture.

Nutrition and sleep: Taking care of yourself: Lenta.ru

When you want to eat something sweet, but there are fears for your figure, then dried fruits are often used – for example, dates. What do you need to know to use them correctly? This was told to Lente.ru by a nutritionist, an expert at the St. Petersburg Museum of Health Lana Naumova.

Useful properties of dates were obvious to people many centuries ago – not without reason, even in the Koran this fruit is mentioned as many as 29 times. In 1796, dates became known to the rest of the world: Spanish explorers brought them to California.

Nowadays, the most common variety of dates is called “daglet nur”, which is translated from Algerian Arabic as “finger of light”. These dried fruits are eaten fresh, fried and even boiled, but in most cases, the dates are dried and dried before eating.

Nutritional value and composition of dates

“There are 75 grams of carbohydrates, two grams of proteins, 0.2 grams of fat and approximately 274 kilocalories per 100 grams of dried dates,” says nutritionist Lana Naumova. “That’s why they are so filling.” The fruits are rich in vitamins – there are more than ten different types of them in dates: B vitamins (B1, B2, B5, B6, B9), provitamins A, vitamins D, K, C, PP. These biologically active substances have a beneficial effect on the entire human body.

These dried fruits also contain a considerable amount of minerals such as copper, iron, magnesium, zinc, calcium, potassium and others. In addition, the selenium found in dates is essential for thyroid health. Finally, dates are a good source of fiber, more than seven grams per 100 grams of the product, summed up Lana Naumova.

Photo: Momen Faiz / NurPhoto via Getty Images

In addition, these sweet fruits contain unique amino acids, says the nutritionist. For example, a complex of leucine, isoleucine and valine. They provide energy to the muscles, as well as regulate the processes of protein biosynthesis and support the immune system.

Health benefits of dates

Dates are not only a tasty, satisfying and macronutrient-rich dessert, but also a healthy product. They are able to positively affect all major body systems.

The benefits of dates for the cardiovascular system

Regular consumption of dates reduces the level of “bad” cholesterol, Lana Naumova is sure. “This, in turn, protects us from various diseases of the heart muscle,” she says.

In addition, dates contain a lot of iron. Therefore, they will be good in the fight against anemia

Lana Naumovanutritionist

Benefits of dates for the digestive system

Due to the fact that there is a lot of fiber in dates, they ensure the smooth functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, normalize peristalsis. This reduces the risk of constipation and intestinal disorders, helps to improve the stool. Fiber is an excellent “feed” for the microbiota, the health of which depends on the work of many systems in the body, the nutritionist explains.

The benefits of dates for the nervous system

According to Lana Naumova, dates contribute to optimal brain function, as they are rich in potassium and magnesium. Without these nutrients, the health of the nervous system is impossible.

Dates have the ability to reduce the activity of beta-amyloid proteins that cause plaque in the brain. In addition, date fruits reduce markers of inflammation in the blood and prevent the occurrence of such dangerous diseases as Alzheimer’s disease

Lana Naumovanutritionist

Benefits of dates for immunity and general health

Antioxidants contained in dates have tonic and general strengthening properties. “For example, beta-carotene, which dates are rich in, is a very important protector against premature aging,” says Lana Naumova. “These dried fruits are also an excellent source of tryptophan, which is responsible for the synthesis of joy hormones. ”

Photo: Thasneem / Shutterstock / Fotodom

The benefits of dates during pregnancy and lactation

Dates will be an excellent dessert for women during pregnancy and lactation. The fact is that these dried fruits contain folic acid, which is necessary for all pregnant women in the first trimester.

“Eating dates during the last stages of pregnancy reduces the need for artificial induction [of labor], as oxytocin production increases and the cervix becomes soft and elastic,” explains Lana Naumova.

Dates can also be consumed during breastfeeding, but with caution so as not to provoke stool disorders and allergic reactions in the baby. Ignorance of the measure and uncontrolled eating of these fruits can lead to negative consequences. In addition, no one is immune from sudden allergies.

We must not forget that dates are a high-calorie product that has a high glycemic index. It can be dangerous for people with insulin resistance and diabetes

Lana Naumovanutritionist

Do not exceed the daily intake, the expert emphasizes. For an adult, according to her, five to seven dates a day are enough.
And so that the blood sugar level does not rise sharply because of the sweet dried fruit, it is better to transfer the use of this fruit to dessert.

Dates can also have a laxative effect due to the fact that they contain fiber and oils that speed up intestinal motility. According to Naumova, they are digested for a long time, so they can cause bloating and even diarrhea.

• For stomach ulcers
• For fructose intolerance
• For kidney diseases, especially urolithiasis

But if you are overweight or have diabetes, you can eat dates, but it is better to carefully monitor the amount. After all, they are very high in calories and also increase blood glucose levels.

In addition, as Rospotrebnadzor advises, citrus fruits and dates should not be mixed in one meal: eating carbohydrate and acidic foods can provoke indigestion.

Allergy to dates

Some people are allergic to dates. “It is manifested by nasal congestion, itching, hives, but sometimes it can cause more severe symptoms, such as anaphylactic shock. In addition, date fruits are able to carry pollen from other plants, which will harm those who suffer from hay fever. Therefore, allergy sufferers need to be careful with the use of these fruits. Better yet, get tested for food allergens to be sure for sure, ”the nutritionist notes.

10

dates

can be eaten a day, according to the recommendation of Rospotrebnadzor

Photo: Haitham Al Farsi / Solent News / Legion-media.ru

How to choose and store dates

their outer sight and smell. Dates should not smell like something sour. Quality fruits usually have a matte finish, but without any white coating. They should not stick to hands,” says Lana Naumova.

According to her, if the dried fruit is shiny, then, most likely, it was rubbed with paraffin or beauty fat. It is better not to buy such dates. The peel of the fruit must be intact, without damage. In addition, you should pay attention to the expiration date of the product, as well as the integrity of the packaging.

The expert suggests storing dates in a cool and dry place in a closed container, where direct rays of the sun will not fall.

Dates in cooking

Dates are most often used as an independent dessert after removing the pits. This product is a real find for those who are on a diet or try not to consume sugar. If the daily calorie content allows, you can stuff the dates with nuts, marzipan, candied fruits and even cheeses.

What else can you do with dates?

• Add to salads, pilafs, meat dishes
• Use to make compotes, jelly, and sometimes spirits (eg wine or beer)
• Use as an ingredient in granola and muesli
• Grind to add to flour
• Use in baking
• Glaze
• Use to make vinegar, specialty honey and even sugar

Of course, the benefits of dates are much greater than the harm: this fruit is both a supplier of iron, a source of the hormone of joy, and a regulator of the digestive system, and an excellent way to prevent serious diseases of the nervous system.