DATE

    Date (Phoenix Dactylifera) is a palm tree (Arecaceae) of the genus Phoenix, the fruit can be eaten. Dates have been a staple food in the Middle East for thousands of years. Dates tree believed to have originated around the Persian Gulf and has been cultivated since ancient times from Mesopotamia to prehistoric Egypt, possibly as early as 4000 BC. Ancient Egyptians used the fruit to be made into wine dates and was eaten at harvest.

    Dried dates can be filled with stuffing such as almonds, walnuts, candied orange and lemon peel, tahini, marzipan or cream cheese. Dates spots also called seedless dates can be used as snacks. Dates can also be chopped and used in a variety of sweet and savory dishes, such as tajines in Morocco, ka'ak (types of Arab cookies) and other desserts. Dates are also processed into cubes, paste, spread, date syrup or "honey" called "dibs" or "rub" in Libya, powder (sugar palm), vinegar or alcohol. The latest processing innovations include chocolate-covered dates and products like sparkling date juice, used in some Islamic countries as a non-alcoholic champagne, for special occasions and religious times such as Ramadan.

    per 100 grams of dates (source: USDA) containing energy 251 kcal, protein 2.81 g, carbohydrates 66.78 g, fiber 7.1 g, sugar 56.38 g, total fat 0:35 g, MUFA 0.0032 g, PUFA 0.017 g, cholesterol 0 mg, calcium 35 mg , iron 0.91 mg, magnesium 38 mg, phosphorus 55 mg, potassium 484 mg, sodium 2 mg, zinc 0:26 mg, vitamin A 9 IU, vitamin B1 (thiamine) 0.046 mg, vitamin B2 (riboflavin) 0.059 mg, vitamin B3 ( niacin) 1134 mg, vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) 0525 mg, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) 0.147 mg, vitamin B9 (folate) 17 mcg vitamin B12 0 mcg, vitamin C 0.4 mg, vitamin E 0:04 mg, vitamin K 2.4 mcg, 5 mcg of beta carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin 0 mcg 0 mcg lycopene, lutein and zeaxantin 67 mcg.

    Some benefit of date is as an energy source because dates have a fairly high sugar content and are generally derived from a type of glucose and fructose. A type of sugar found in dates is the result of the processing of natural and not harmful to health. High sugar content makes this fruit is a source of instant energy to restore lost energy during fasting and normalize blood sugar levels. Dates are a good source of dietary fiber, The American Cancer Society recommends to consume 20-30 grams per day. Soluble dietary fiber can prevent constipation and colon cancer, then help control diabetes by lowering LDL cholesterol levels in the blood. Dates as an antidote, consuming 7 dates every day to fight the toxins because dates contain phytochemicals and antioxidants. Dates as anti-infection and anti-inflammatory because content of tannin substances, as well as vitamin A in the date can maintaining eye health. Dates are a source of iron and kalium, iron is a component of hemoglobin in red blood cells and kalium helps control heart rate.