Sugary dates are one of the most famous foods whose mention is associated with the Arab world, especially the Islamic world. They are especially associated with the holy month of Ramadan, as Muslims break their fast by eating them in accordance with the commandment of the Prophet Muhammad, may God bless him and grant him peace. Often no home is without them, and adults and children love them as well... Learn with us in this article about its benefits. How to take it and what happens when you eat it too much.
Facts about sugary dates
It is one of the tropical fruits that grow on palm trees in hot and desert areas. People eat it in several forms, both fresh and dried. Dates vary in shapes, types, and colors, and each type has a different taste.
Types of sugar dates
There are many types of dates that differ in shapes and colors, including yellow dates, red dates, and fleshy dates.
Among the famous types:
- Medjool dates.
- Wet dates.
- Diabetic dates.
- Al-Khudari dates.
- Safawi dates.
- Ajwa.
- Speech.
- Ascetic type.
- The most widely consumed are Medjool dates, Rutab dates, Sukkari dates, and Ajwa dates.
The most famous recipes
The most famous recipe for sugary dates and the most widely consumed is Ramadan khashaf, where it is mixed with dried fruits, nuts, milk or juices and eaten for breakfast in Ramadan because the amount of sugar and fiber in it helps raise the blood sugar level after long periods of fasting and gives the body the energy it needs in a healthy way. And organized.
Date molasses is extracted from it and is used as a natural sweetener in foods and drinks instead of white sugar, especially for those who follow a diet, diabetics, or children under 6 months old.
Dates can be used to make some sweets, such as cakes or healthy brownies.
It can be taken alone between meals or with coffee or tea.
Are diabetic dates healthy?
Of course, diabetic dates are considered one of the best healthy foods that can be eaten at all ages, and for those who follow a specific diet, or suffer from diabetes, their many benefits have made them the most recommended food by nutritionists and children, as we will present its benefits now.
Benefits of diabetic dates
Sugar dates contain many important nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals necessary for the body. We review these benefits below:
- Dates contain a large percentage of fiber, which is necessary to regulate bowel movement and facilitate the digestion process.
- It contains a large percentage of carbohydrates that the body uses to produce the energy necessary for it to perform its daily tasks and necessary vital functions.
- Dates are foods rich in antioxidants, such as: flavonoids, carotenoids, and phenolic acid. Antioxidants protect the body from free radicals resulting from oxygen metabolism that harm the body. Antioxidants also protect against inflammation and chronic diseases such as: aging diseases, bone infections, heart disease, and the digestive system.
- Daily consumption of dates improves brain function, strengthens memory, and reduces the chances of developing Alzheimer's disease.
- Dates are a rich source of vitamin A, which is necessary to strengthen eyesight and reduce the chances of eye diseases and night blindness.
- It contains a huge amount of potassium, copper, magnesium, and iron. These elements help maintain healthy skin, nails, hair, and bones and protect against osteomalacia and anemia.
- Eating dates in the last months of pregnancy stimulates natural birth and increases the rate of uterine contractions, which facilitates the natural birth process, reduces the duration it takes, and reduces the complications of prolonged natural birth or the sudden cessation of uterine contractions during childbirth or uterine bleeding after childbirth.
- Dates help maintain an appropriate amount of melanin in the skin, which is the substance responsible for giving the skin its distinctive color. This substance protects against the danger of exposure to direct sunlight and the risk of skin cancer, which improves the appearance of healthy skin and prevents pigmentation.
Glycemic index of dates
Diabetic dates are one of the foods with a low glycemic index, so dates prevent insulin spikes and regulate blood sugar levels.
Due to its low glycemic index, some use it to sweeten drinks such as date molasses, or add it to baby food to sweeten its taste as a safe source of sugar.
Dates for diabetics
- It was rumored in the past that diabetic dates are among the foods that a diabetic patient should not eat, but recent studies have proven that they are very beneficial for diabetic patients, as their benefit lies in the following:
- We also mentioned that dates regulate sugar levels and the level of the hormone insulin in the blood, so diabetic patients eating dates in moderate quantities helps regulate the level of the hormone insulin in the blood and is a safe source of natural sugar for these patients. It can also be used to sweeten drinks and foods, as we mentioned previously.
- Dates protect diabetics from microvascular complications that commonly occur in these patients, which make them susceptible to recurrent blood clots that reduce blood flow to the extremities and may lead to gangrene or inflammation of the peripheral nerves.
- Although it contains a high percentage of potassium, it does not cause high levels of potassium in the blood in diabetics and patients with kidney failure.
Problems of eating too many diabetic dates
Moderation is always the basis of consumption in all religions and cultures. With all the benefits of dates that we mentioned, moderate consumption remains the secret to obtaining its benefits and staying away from its harms. Together we learn about the harms of eating too many dates:
- It causes a significant increase in blood sugar levels when consumed in excessive quantities. While the glycemic index of dates is low, they raise blood sugar levels significantly if consumed in large quantities.
- Moreover, it causes weight gain and obesity. Dates are a rich source of healthy carbohydrates, but on the other hand, dates contain 2.4 calories per gram. This causes weight gain and obesity when consumed in excess of the permissible limit.
- Eating too much sugary dates may cause stomach pain. Dates contain a huge percentage of fructose, which causes stomach pain and causes the formation of abdominal gas.
- It leads to diarrhea because it contains a huge percentage of fiber, which speeds up the digestion and excretion process.
- Susceptibility to allergies due to the high percentage of histamine in it, which causes allergies in people most susceptible to allergies who have a genetic predisposition or children.
- Tooth decay occurs because it contains a huge percentage of sugars.
- Uterine contractions occur in pregnant women in the first months of pregnancy, causing recurrent abdominal pain and the risk of miscarriage.
In the end, we find that the great benefits of dates outweigh their harms, especially since these harms only occur with eating very large quantities of them.
There is no Arab home without dates, as they are beneficial and beloved by adults and children.
If you want to eat fresh dates with great benefits, you can get them from the Atara store.com . You will find them available in many types, with a wonderful taste, and affordable prices.