Dates: benefits, harm, contraindications

The fruits of exotic plants are often attractive. They have an unusual and amazing taste. These include dates. Many people call them just a delicious treat, but there are some connoisseurs who know all about the valuable qualities of dates.

The benefits of dates

Useful qualities of date palm berries allow us to call them a real natural pantry. In the states of the Middle East, dates are still called "bread of the desert" - this is how these berries benefit people and replenish the necessary nutrients.

The fruits of dates are mostly carbohydrates, and there is almost no water in them. There are many vitamins in these berries. There are vitamins A, almost the entire composition of vitamins of group B, there is also a lot of vitamins C, E and K. In addition, these nutritious berries contain a large amount of mineral components. Dates also contain a lot of pectins and dietary fiber.

Date palm berries have a very sweet, rich taste and high calorie content. Therefore, people who monitor their weight try not to abuse them. On the other hand, dates are much healthier than rolls, cakes and other sweets.

The benefits of these fruits are invaluable - they tone up well, relieve fatigue, increase the body's immune defenses and are an excellent means of preventing cancer. Potassium contained in dates perfectly strengthens the heart muscle, and iron relieves anemia... A large amount of dietary fiber allows a significant improve digestion, cleanse the liver and kidneys.

Dates harm

In some exceptional cases, the fruits of the date palm can be harmful. For example, due to its high carbohydrate content, these fruits are able to increase the concentration of sugar in the blood. It is also harmful if you are overweight.

Do not get carried away with dates for stomach ailments. The fact is that a large number of dietary fiber activates the intestines and can provoke an exacerbation of the disease.

If you have high blood pressure, do not consume large amounts of dates. They can raise blood pressure, which leads to headaches. Lots of dates on a daily basis can cause liver and spleen disorders. Therefore, do not eat more than 10 of them.

Dates can be at lunchtime, and even better in the morning. They take a very long time to digest, so it's better not to eat them at night. However, try not to use them with sour fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes and citrus fruits. The carbohydrates found in dates, when mixed with acid, are destroyed and can lead to poisoning of the body.

Dates contraindications

Based on the harmful qualities of these dried fruits, we can formulate the main contraindications to their use:

• Diabetes mellitus and diseases of the endocrine system.
• Overweight and even more obesity.
• Inflammatory processes of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Individual intolerance.

Calorie content of dates

The nutritional value of dates is largely determined by their variety. For example, dates of the Deglet Nur variety, which are grown in Algeria, have a very high calorie content. It reaches 415 kcal per 100 g of dates. This is practically the same as in a pork chop. For comparison, strawberries have a value of 53 kcal, which is 8 times less. But this variety is far from the most nutritious. Most of the calories are in Medjul dates. One berry of this variety has 66 kcal.

How many dates can be per day

The affordable and healthy dates are very popular for their excellent satiety. But at the same time, keep in mind that they can only be used by those people who follow their menu and adhere to a moderate calorie intake in their diet. Without fear for your figure, you can use no more than a dozen fruits per day. This amount will make up for the lack of nutrients and, moreover, you will not get extra calories. A serving of 10 will be optimal for daily consumption. This will lower blood cholesterol, which is beneficial in preventing heart disease.

Dates during pregnancy

As you know, women while waiting for the baby are especially careful about their menu and eat unusual fruits with caution so as not to harm the unborn baby. But the doctors are sure that dates will not bring anything bad to either the mother or the future baby. Moreover, the use of these dried fruits throughout pregnancy and especially before childbirth is even encouraged. After all, dates contain many valuable substances that are important for the normal formation of the fruit. For example, calcium and phosphorus contained in these dried fruits have a beneficial effect on the child's skeletal system. And a few dates a day will allow the expectant mother to restore the lack of potassium.

In the prenatal period, dates will help a woman maintain a moisture balance, as well as give strength. This is the benefit of fructose found in dates. It is also necessary to accelerate the formation of milk. Before childbirth, it is useful to eat a few pieces to activate labor. This is because dates contain oxytocin, which stimulates labor and speeds up the entire process.

Dates contain potassium, the lack of which during the waiting period of the child causes toxicosis. Therefore, these fruits can be used as a medicine against toxicosis. For example, dates can be used to make a delicious drink that will relieve nausea. Boil the milk and pour the washed dried fruit over it. Let the drink brew well and drink with attacks of toxicosis.

Dates while breastfeeding

Most experts speak positively about the use of dates when feeding a baby. It has already been proven that dates contain oxytocin, which is good for lactation. These fruits stabilize the formation of milk and saturate it with useful microelements, which is very useful for the development of the baby's bone tissue.

In addition, finns contain melanin, which is responsible for good sleep. This will improve the child's rest and solve the problem of the mother's insomnia. The fruit of the date palm contains serotonin, known as the hormone of joy. He will help you prevent the occurrence postpartum depression, relieves the feeling of fatigue, adds vigor and improves mood. In addition, dates are a good remedy for depression, returning energy, a feeling of joy and cheerfulness, which is extremely necessary when caring for a baby.

If you decide to start using dates while feeding your baby, then start introducing them gradually. The initial dose should be minimal - 1 piece in the morning. At the same time, observe the well-being of the baby and his reaction to the new "dish". Pay attention if there are any allergic manifestations and problems with the gastrointestinal tract. Try not to eat a lot of dates. It is quite enough to eat only 5 or 6 pieces per day.

Dates for diabetes

For people with endocrine diseases and diabetes mellitus, it is very important to observe the strictest diet... At the same time, all sweet foods, flour, sweets are banned. But it's very difficult to live without tasty things. Therefore, various alternatives are being created for diabetics. Most often, dried fruits, including dates, become substitutes for sweets.

Opinions vary as to whether or not to include dates in the diet of people with diabetes. Some experts believe that certain varieties of dates will benefit in small numbers for people with this diagnosis. For example, majkhol dates can be used for diabetes mellitus. But keep in mind that even in this case, no more than 100 grams per day is allowed.

Please note that it is permissible to eat dates only with a mild stage of diabetes, and then, no more than a couple of pieces per day. In this case, it is important to take into account their calorie content in the total daily calorie content. If you are treating with insulin, then keep in mind that several fruits are comparable to 20 bread units. In the middle and severe stage of the disease, these dried fruits are strictly prohibited, like any other sweet foods.

Is it possible for dates for children

The question of introducing dates into the children's menu should be raised when the baby is at least a year old. But even in this case, it is necessary to consider how long the child has been receiving complementary foods and how he tolerates the introduction of new products. If your baby is prone to allergic reactions, then start introducing dates as late as possible.

Regardless of age baby the initial dose should be minimal. First, offer the crumbs a compote of dates, and then give half a small spoonful of steamed fruit. If the child's reaction is normal, then gradually increase the number of fruits to 5 pieces. If you adhere to these recommendations, then your baby will only benefit from dates.

You can make such a healthy drink from dates, in which all the beneficial properties of dried fruits will be preserved. Peel and wash the dates and put them in a thermos, then pour boiling water over them and leave them for a few hours. Strain the compote before use.

Older children can cook delicious millet porridge with dates. It can be prepared in the usual way in water or milk as you wish. At the same time, it is not at all necessary to add sugar to the porridge, but a pinch of salt and a piece of butter will remarkably improve the taste of the porridge. Dates, cut into small pieces, need to be added to the already cooked porridge, stir and leave under the lid for a few minutes.