Dates (phoenix dactylifera) are small dark brown oval shaped fruits with a hard inner seed, though they are often sold pitted.
Health Benefits of Dates:
- Increased Immune Function
- Reduced Risk of Colon Cancer
- Alleviation of Cardiovascular Disease
- Alleviation of Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
- Promoted Eye Health
- Osteoporosis Protection
- Stroke Prevention
- Antioxidant Protection
- Prevention of Epileptic Seizures
- Alleviation of the Common Cold
- Prevention of Alopecia (Spot Baldness) Due to the tannin content in dates they have been used to treat intestinal troubles. They have also been used as a syrup to treat sore throat.
Climate and origin: Dates originated in the Persian Gulf and grow best in dry, hot, tropical climates.How to choose Dates: Dates should look soft and moist, try to avoid dates which look like they have dried out and have white discolorations.
Taste: Dates have a very sweet, almost caramel, flavor. As they are often sold dried, dates have a sticky and chewy texture.
Substitutes with more vitamins: Apricots
Miscellaneous information: Date trees can be tapped for a sweet sap that can be made into molasses or alcohol.
