BENEFITS OF DATES

VERSE FROM THE QURAN ON FOOD

And it is He Who produces gardens trellised and untrellised,

And date-palms, and crops of different shape and taste and olives, and pomegranates, similar (in kind) and different (in taste).

Eat of their fruits when they ripen, but pay the due thereof on the day of its harvest,

And waste not by extravagance.

Verily, He likes not those who waste by extravagance.

(6:141)

Health benefits of dates

• Wonderfully delicious, dates are one of the most popular fruits packed with an impressive list of essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that are required for normal growth, development and overall well-being.
• Fresh dates compose of soft, easily digestible flesh and simple sugars like fructose and dextrose. When eaten, they replenish energy and revitalize the body instantly. For these qualities, they are being used to break the fast during Ramadan month since ancient times.
• The fruit is rich in dietary fiber, which prevents LDL cholesterol absorption in the gut. Additionally, the fiber works as a bulk laxative. It, thus, helps to protect the colon mucous membrane by decreasing exposure time and as well as binding to cancer-causing chemicals in the colon.
• They contain health benefiting flavonoid polyphenolic antioxidants known as tannins. Tannins are known to possess anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hemorrhagic (prevent easy bleeding tendencies) properties.
• They are moderate sources of vitamin-A (contains 149 IU per 100 g), which is known to have antioxidant properties and essential for vision. Additionally, it is also required maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural fruits rich in vitamin A is known to help to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
• They compose antioxidant flavonoids such as ß-carotene, lutein, and zea-xanthin. These antioxidants found to have the ability to protect cells and other structures in the body from harmful effects of oxygen-free radicals. Thus, eating dates found to offer some protection from colon, prostate, breast, endometrial, lung, and pancreatic cancers. 
• Zea-xanthin is an important dietary carotenoid that selectively absorbed into the retinal macula lutea.
• Dates are an excellent source of iron,  being a component of hemoglobin inside the red blood cells, determines the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
• Further, they are very good in potassium. 100 g contains 696 mg or 16% of daily-recommended levels of this electrolyte. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that help controlling heart rate and blood pressure. They, thus, offers protection against stroke and coronary heart diseases.
• They are also rich in minerals like calcium, manganese, copper, and magnesium. Calcium is an important mineral that is an essential constituent of bone and teeth, and required by the body for muscle contraction, blood clotting, and nerve impulse conduction. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Copper is required for the production of red blood cells. Magnesium is essential for bone growth.
• Further, the fruit has adequate levels of B-complex group of vitamins as well as vitamin K. It contains very good amounts of pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), niacin, pantothenic acid, and riboflavin.
  
  
  SO WHY TAKE VITAMINS WHEN ALLAH HAS PROVIDED US WITH BEAUTIFUL DATES. ALLHAMDULILLAH.
  
  
  DO YOUR CHILDREN EAT DATES OR CAN THIS BE A STRUGGLE SOMETIMES?
  WELL HERE'S A QUICK AND EASY WAY TO MAKE DATES MORE INTERESTING FOR KID'S TO EAT.
  
  
  YOU NEED I PACK OF STONED DATES, CUT INTO HALF AND PLACE IN A PAN WITH A KNOB OF BUTTER (UNSALTED) USING THE BACK OF A SPOON MASH THE DATES IN THE BUTTER THEN ADD A HAND FULL OF CRUSH DIGESTIVE BISCUIT'S  AND COMBINE TOGETHER, IF U LIKE TO ADD MORE BISCUIT'S THEN YOU CAN. IF YOU SEE THAT IT'S NOT COMBINING THEN ADD A LITTLE MOE BUTTER. ONCE MIXED TAKE A SMALL AMOUNT INTO YOUR HANDS AND ROLL INTO A BALL SIZE AND DIP INTO SOME MORE CRUSHED DIGESTIVES OR YOU CAN USE ANY OTHER COATING SUCH AS COCONUT OR SWEETS, IT'S UP TO YOU. 
  
  
  THE KID'S WILL LOVE IT. GO ON TRY THEM.