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Dates can be eaten in its natural form or after being soaked, but know which way is more beneficial?
- Written by: Tenzin Chodon
- Updated at: Dec 04, 2023 02:40 IST
Dates are a sweetened fruit from the date palm tree grown in many tropical regions around the world, including Northern Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. Its cultivation is said to have started around 4000 BC in Mesopotamia and, from there on, spread to other parts of the world. Today, the fruit has gained a lot of popularity, particularly because of its nutrient properties and several health benefits. There has also been a growing interest in determining the best way to consume it, whether to have it soaked or to consume it dry. In this article, we will try to find out the same.
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Nutritional Value Of Dates
Sweedal Trinidade, Chief Dietician, PD Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Mahim, said, “Dates have 75% carbohydrates, 8% dietary fibre, 8% iron, potassium, copper, magnesium, vitamin B6 making them instant source of energy, antioxidants like carotenoids, flavonoids and phenolic acid.
She added, “Dates are available in dried or soft pulpy form and relished in various recipes. Over the period of time, dates have made their way into recipes like trail mixes, smoothies, confectionery, energy bars besides having a special place as a snack in Ramadan fasting.”
Health Benefits Of Dates
Some of the common health benefits of dates include:
- Dietary fibre that relieves constipation and aids in good digestion
- Carbohydrates for energy
- Minerals like iron, copper that improves haemoglobin on regular consumption
Due to its high nutritional value, research has shown that dates are highly effective in reducing the risk of many chronic diseases.
According to a study published in the Neural Regeneration Research, regular date consumption is not only associated with lower risk of neurodegenerative disorders, but also linked to improved cognitive performance in the elderly. The study looked at three major date palm varieties (Fardh, Rutab, and Khalas) and found that all three are rich in phenolic and flavonoid contents, which are said to defend the central nervous system (CNS) against oxidative stress.
Polyphenols in dates also help promote heart health. A study published in the Journal Nutrients suggests that the beneficial plant compound (polyphenols) help reduce total cholesterol and increase High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in the body, lowering the risk of Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs).
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The findings of the study also showed that the level of haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) remained stable even after consuming dates, indicating no significant impact on blood sugar levels.
Another study looked at the benefits of dates for digestive health and found eating dates improved bowel movements in participants, who ate seven dates daily or a carb and sugar mixture for 21 days.
Soaked Or Dried Dates?
Most dry fruits and pulses are consumed after being soaked in water. It has been recommended since ancient times to reduce the effects of anti-nutritional factors like oxalate, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, and cyanides, which are known to have a negative impact on the accessibility of minerals in the body, said Trinidade. Along with a number of nutrients, dates also contain these anti-nutritional factors.
Therefore, soaking dates is said to remove tannins and other negative compounds from the fruit, making it easier for us to absorb the beneficial vitamins and minerals from it. Moreover, it becomes softer and easier to digest.
However, Trinidade also said that one can consume dates in its dry form as studies have shown that there is low value of oxalate in the date palm, which is why it might not have any negative impact on the utilisation of minerals.
She further added that the concentration of the value of saponins and tannins are also well within permissible limits, hence eating this fruit may not lower the availability of protein in the body or cause any interference with the Red Blood Cells (RBCs).
Conclusion
Dates are highly nutritious and make for an effective food to eat. It holds several health benefits ranging from improved cardiovascular health to reduced risk of neurodegenerative disorders. There are several ways to incorporate it in your diet, one of which involves adding it to your dishes as a natural sweetener. Note that dates are high in calories, which is why moderation is key to maintaining a healthy weight.
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