The sweet and mouth-watering ‘Dates’ is not a strange name or an unusual fruit for those living in Middle-eastern countries. Its prominence is felt to an even higher level during the Holy month of Ramadan where we can see it being a major part of the Iftar delicacies. But, many of the date-eaters do not know the significance and the outstanding nature of these small yet soft, sticky, juicy and delicious dates (Phoenix dactylifera).
One of the world’s oldest cultivated fruits we eat are majorly of three types depending on the sugar content, and come in many varieties of each type i.e., soft, semi-dry and dry. Khalas, Ajwa, Medjool, Sukkari, Barhi, Zahedi and Safawi are some of the common dates available in Kuwait.
It is said that during Ramadan one must break the fast with three fresh or dried dates(tamer) and water. Besides, Iftar in houses are incomplete without serving sweetened dates to visitors during Ramadan. The present-day people always try to find scientific explanation for everything, especially when it comes to age old customs and practices. This tradition to break one’s fast with dates is also backed by strong human science.
Firstly, dates can be easily digested by our stomach. So, when one takes in dates after a long fast, it would not exhaust the stomach. It would also make the stomach active after long hours of inactivity. Breaking the fast with dates will also help one to subside their hunger and thus stop one from overeating just after a long fast. If we eat excessively after fasting, it can lead to gastric disorders. The carbohydrates present in dates make the fruit a slow digesting one. Thus, this is a much better option to break any fast rather than eating fried and oily foods that just leaves ones even more hungry. Furthermore, it also aids our body to adapt to a change in eating timings and habits in a short time. The natural sugar from dates also boosts our brain and nerve cells with energy to stay active. While fasting for long hours, the body react to such sudden changes with mild headaches, low-blood sugar and lethargy. By being a fibrous rich source of potassium, magnesium, sugar, carbohydrates, and major vitamins, dates can help avoid such situations, maintain good health and stay fit during this fast. These are just reasons why dates are used to break the fast during Iftar during the Holy month of Ramadan. One would be surprised to know that dates have even more health benefits to those consuming it.
Dates are an excellent source of Vitamin A. Consuming dates regularly can help reduce Vitamin A deficiency disease Night Blindness. It is also in generally good for the digestion. Recent studies have also found out that dates can prevent abdominal cancers and help cure intestinal disorders. High content of potassium in dates also help reduce cardiac strokes and keeps your heart healthy. Date syrups are used in a number of energy bars because of the energy boosting factor, natural sweetness and high nutritional values. Dates are also rich in many vital minerals including calcium that help strengthen and maintain the bones. Taking dates everyday is often considered as a suitable alternative for vitamin supplements. Apart from all these, eating dates everyday can also help one lose weight and boost ones immunity. The sweetness in dates also satisfy one’s sugar cravings, helping one reduce weight efficiently. Diseases like obesity and diabetes are often linked to inflammation caused due to a couch-potato lifestyle, and dates contains high unsaturated fatty acids that help reduce inflammation. At the same time, as the saying goes-“anything too much is bad”, eating too many dates daily can also result in gaining of weight.
Ultimately, dates are really good combination of sweetness and health aspects necessary for one’s health and well-being. Did we know that this fruit, which is found lying on many pavements across Kuwait, was home to such amazing health benefits? Dates are the best eaten raw. But many people consume it by adding it in dishes or as syrups. Infact, date syrups are often used as a substitute for refined sugar. Eat dates regularly for a healthy life.
Have a safe and blessed Ramadan.