During Ramadan, many people choose to break their fast by eating a date, a tasty dark sweet fruit that everyone loves. In fact, palm dates have become a stable in the Egyptian diet, whether fresh or dried, throughout the year.
They are not only tasty, but dates also contain a lot of vital nutrients such as calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and zinc. They are an excellent source of a range of vitamins and minerals, energy, and fiber.
Here are six reasons great reasons for eating dates:
- Dates promote digestive health: The fiber content in dates helps in relieving constipation, regulating bowl movement, and promoting colon health.
- They are a low-fat treat: Dates are free from cholesterol, and contain very little fat.
- Dates are energy boosters: Dates contain natural sugars such as glucose, sucrose, and fructose.
- They help in weight gain: People trying to gain weight have long been told to use dates. In fact, 10 dates can contain about 230 calories.
- Dates may improve bone health: Since dates are rich in manganese, selenium, copper, and magnesium, they can contribute to healthy bones, and may aid in preventing conditions such as osteoporosis.
- Dates are rich in iron: They are good source of iron, an essential nutrient that is needed to make hemoglobin.