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Monday, August 12, 2013

WHY ARE DATE FRUITS A SUPERFOOD?


WHY ARE DATE FRUITS A SUPERFOOD?
Do u know?
An old Arabic legend tells of the Date palm's creation: "After God had finished molding Man from Earth; He took the remaining material and shaped it into a date palm which he placed in the Garden of Paradise".
Dates have been a staple food of the Middle East and the Indus Valley for thousands of years. They are believed to have originated as early as 4000 BCE. The Ancient Egyptians used the fruits to make date wine, and ate them at harvest.
Dates, produced mainly in the countries of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq, are a rich source of energy, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Compared to other dried fruits such as apricots and figs, dates are a good source of compounds with antioxidant activity. With the potential to protect cells against free radical damage, dates are indeed a "superfood." Its fruit can be eaten fresh or dried as a snack and also in many dishes (desserts). Date paste and syrup are used as an alternative to cane sugar as a sweetener.
Dates are a superfood because they are packed with and highly nutritious. 

They are a good source of many vitamins including vitamins A and K, folate, niacin, thiamin, and riboflavin.
Dates are also rich in copper, iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus and zinc. Dates are high in fiber.
This Middle Eastern fruit is a great source of potassium. Although dates are a super fruit, they are high in natural sugars which may not suit those on a low carbohydrate diet or diabetics. Their high fibre content also helps ensure an effective body digestive system. Dates are usually best when eaten fresh, however they are commonly dried and pitted.

THE HOLY FRUIT OF ARABIA DATES.
The tradition of the Arabian hospitality is symbolized with a small cup or Arabian coffee, made with equal parts of lightly roasted coffee beans and cardamom, accompanied with a variety of fresh dates carefully arranged like precious jewels in a festive platter. 
This type of welcome in almost every Saudi home as well as most Arabian homes in the Arabian Gulf region. It has religious values as well as cultural importance. The date palm has played a vital role in the lives of Saudis.

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