KHAJOOR, Date Palm, खजूर (Phoenix Dactylifera): Health Benefits and Nutritional Values
Phoenix dactylifera commonly known as the date palm is one of the oldest
trees cultivated by man and is the most nutritious
fruits on the globe. 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. A variety of date palm is known as Ajwah is the most
medicinal date fruit in all the date palm varieties. Dates are fat free, cholesterol
free and sodium free. Dates have the largest concentration of polyphenols among
dried fruits.
Dates have a lot of medicinal uses throughout
history in treating cold, fever, cystitis, edema, shore throat, bronchial
catarrh, liver cancer, low sperm count and abdominal trouble, respiratory
illnesses, gastrointestinal disturbances, and the improvement of fertility in
both males and females etc. Fruit and seed are rich with antioxidant properties
and other nutrients. It exhibits various useful properties to the humankind in
the form of antioxidant, antifungal, antifungal, antihyperlidimic activity and hepatoprotective
activity. It is also proven that the date palm benefits the brain through neuroprotective
property, protecting the brain from the actions of Reactive oxygen species (ROS; chemically reactive molecules containing
oxygen. Examples include oxygen ions and peroxides) by
utilizing its antioxidant property. This protects the brain cells physically.
Its high content of magnesium
makes its consumers to the lowest risk of cancer diseases (especially abdominal
cancer due to the presence of natural fiber and the large concentration of
polyphenols.). The fiber found in date palm works
as a bulk laxative thus it helps to protect the colon mucous membrane from cancer-causing chemicals
binding to it in the colon. Date are moderate sources of
vitamin-A i.e.
also required maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of
natural fruits rich in vitamin A is known to help protect from lung and oral
cavity cancers. Dates compose antioxidant flavonoids such as ß-carotene, lutein, and
zea-xanthin which have the ability to protect cells and other structures in
the body from harmful effects of oxygen-free radicals. Thus, dates offer some
protection from colon, prostate, breast, endometrial, lung, and pancreatic cancers.Date palm possesses natural anti-inflammatory properties and may be used to treat conditions such as lupus or arthritis. Respiratory illnesses have been traditionally treated with date palm. Asthma, bronchitis, and tuberculosis are specific illnesses that may be treated with this herb. The date palm can be used as an expectorant to make coughs more productive and may also help to sooth a sore throat and reduce fever.
A variety of gastrointestinal disturbances may be successfully treated using date palm. The date palm may be used as a laxative or taken to induce vomiting. Regular use of this herb may also help to treat inflammatory bowel disease. Those who have been diagnosed with inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus may benefit from the anti-inflammatory properties of date palm. Date palm is used to cleanse and detoxify the liver and may protect the cells of the body from premature death.
Date palm has been used as an aphrodisiac and to increase fertility. This fruit has mild estrogen-like effects, increasing the chances of fertility in women. Males may develop an increased sperm count as well as improved motility.
Date palm provides benefit that is crucial to the brain, called
the neuroprotective or cerebroprotective effect i.e. it protects the brain from
the destructive activity of the reactive oxygen species that could come from
the cell metabolism itself or from exogenous sources as date palm is an
excellent antioxidant agent and this is due to the high concentrations of
phenolic compounds, flavonoids (carotenoid, phenolic & β-carotenoids) and anthocyanins
as well as the presence of selenoproteins, essential fatty acids, glutathione
and glutathione reductase and phytochemicals. Date palm could serve as a
potential therapeutic agent for treating brain ischemia and other
neurodegenerative diseases.
Iron, being a component of hemoglobin inside the red blood cells,
determines Consuming dates can increase the oxygen-carrying capacity of the
blood as it is rich source of Iron that is helpful for maintaining haemoglobin level
in blood.
Date fruits 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 moderate 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. These vitamins are acting as
cofactors help body metabolize carbohydrates, protein, and fats. Vitamin K is
essential for many coagulant factors in the blood as well as in bone
metabolism.
To get rid of alcohol
intoxication soak dates in water and drink this water in which dates have been
previously soaked for few hours.
Dates work as an
aphrodisiac. Soak dates in goat milk at night. Next morning blend them together
in the milk adding a table spoon honey and a pinch of cardamom powder and
drink.
Date palm is beneficial
in breaking kidney stone as well as relieving one of backache as well.
Date palm is very useful for eye
health for whole life and also prevents night blindness. Date offers protection against age-related macular degeneration,
especially in elderly populations as a
dietary carotenoid “Zea Xanthin” found in dates provide antioxidant and protective
light-filtering functions.Dates can benefit those with diabetes when taken along with a healthy and balanced diet. Dates contain sugar more in the form of fructose more than glucose. Glucose raises blood sugar levels rapidly and needs insulin for it to be metabolized. Fructose is easily broken down and gets metabolized directly by the liver without need of insulin and so does not raise blood sugar levels. The soluble fiber beta glucan in dates also reduces absorption of glucose from the intestine resulting in lower blood sugar levels. In old people who have frequent urges of urinating eating 2 dates daily or 1 date at night with milk will benefit by reducing this frequency.
Dates strengthen the heart. Dates are high in potassium and also almost nil in sodium that keeps the heart muscles in good shape as well as reduces blood pressure. The fruit is rich in dietary fiber, which prevents LDL cholesterol absorption in the gut. Being rich in Potassium dates help to regulate heart rate and blood pressure. They, thus, offers protection against stroke and coronary heart diseases. Dates have a special fiber, Beta D glucan, that prevents absorption of cholesterol from the intestine and thus lowers cholesterol levels.
Dates can be used to prevent obesity. Dates contain a lot of nutrients. Eating a few dates provides enough energy and stops hunger pangs while its fiber keeps the stomach full longer, thus it effectively reduce food consumption and consequent weight gain. And in contrast to increase weight and strength consume dates blend with milk in morning.
Dates are useful for
pregnant women as well as they strengthen the uterine walls. They aid in easy
delivery and reduce bleeding too. Dates
alleviate depression and also enrich breast milk. Therefore they should on the
list of healthy foods for lactating mothers.
Dates given
to children at night to eat for some days will stop their habit of bed wetting.
A paste made of honey and dates is useful in controlling diarrhea and dysentery
in children.
Seeds are
used in a paste to relieve ague. Its gum (exudes from wounds) is used for the
treatment of diarrhoea, it can counteract alcoholic intoxication, and its roots
are used against tooth ache and pollen supply estrogens. For headache relied,
grind 1 date seed with water and apply it on the forehead for relief. The seeds
of dates cure styes. Grind the seed of 1 date with water and apply on the
affected.
Complete Nutritional Profile:
Dates (Phoenix
Dactylifera)
|
||||
Carbohydrate
Factor: 3.6 Fat Factor: 8.37 Protein Factor: 3.36 Nitrogen to Protein
Conversion Factor: 6.25
|
||||
Refuse: 10% Refuse Description: Pits
|
Type
|
|||
Approximates
|
Deglet Noor
|
Medjool
|
||
Nutrient
|
Unit
|
1Value per100g
|
1Value per100g
|
|
Water
|
g
|
20.53
|
21.32
|
|
Energy
|
kcal
|
282
|
277
|
|
Protein
|
g
|
2.45
|
1.81
|
|
Total lipid
(fat)
|
g
|
0.39
|
0.15
|
|
Ash
|
g
|
1.6
|
1.74
|
|
Carbohydrate, by
difference
|
g
|
75.03
|
74.97
|
|
Fiber, total
dietary
|
g
|
8
|
6.7
|
|
Sugars, total
|
g
|
63.35
|
66.47
|
|
Sucrose
|
g
|
23.84
|
0.53
|
|
Glucose (dextrose)
|
g
|
19.87
|
33.68
|
|
Fructose
|
g
|
19.56
|
31.95
|
|
Maltose
|
g
|
0.12
|
0.3
|
|
Galactose
|
g
|
0
|
0
|
|
Minerals
|
||||
Calcium
|
mg
|
39
|
64
|
|
Iron
|
mg
|
1.02
|
0.9
|
|
Magnesium
|
mg
|
43
|
54
|
|
Phosphorus
|
mg
|
62
|
62
|
|
Potassium
|
mg
|
656
|
696
|
|
Sodium
|
mg
|
2
|
1
|
|
Zinc
|
mg
|
0.29
|
0.44
|
|
Copper
|
mg
|
0.206
|
0.362
|
|
Manganese
|
mg
|
0.262
|
0.296
|
|
Selenium
|
µg
|
3
|
||
Vitamins
|
||||
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid
|
mg
|
0.4
|
0
|
|
Thiamin
|
mg
|
0.052
|
0.05
|
|
Riboflavin
|
mg
|
0.066
|
0.06
|
|
Niacin
|
mg
|
1.274
|
1.61
|
|
Pantothenic acid
|
mg
|
0.589
|
0.805
|
|
Vitamin B-6
|
mg
|
0.165
|
0.249
|
|
Folate, total
|
µg
|
19
|
15
|
|
Folic acid
|
µg
|
0
|
0
|
|
Folate, food
|
µg
|
19
|
15
|
|
Folate, DFE
|
µg
|
19
|
15
|
|
Choline, total
|
mg
|
6.3
|
9.9
|
|
Betaine
|
mg
|
0.4
|
0.4
|
|
Vitamin B-12
|
µg
|
0
|
||
Vitamin B-12, added
|
µg
|
0
|
||
Vitamin A, RAE
|
µg
|
0
|
7
|
|
Retinol
|
µg
|
0
|
||
Carotene, beta
|
µg
|
6
|
89
|
|
Carotene, alpha
|
µg
|
0
|
0
|
|
Cryptoxanthin, beta
|
µg
|
0
|
0
|
|
Vitamin A, IU
|
IU
|
10
|
149
|
|
Lycopene
|
µg
|
0
|
0
|
|
Lutein + zeaxanthin
|
µg
|
75
|
23
|
|
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)
|
mg
|
0.05
|
||
Vitamin E, added
|
mg
|
0
|
||
Tocopherol, beta
|
mg
|
0
|
||
Tocopherol, gamma
|
mg
|
0.05
|
||
Tocopherol, delta
|
mg
|
0
|
||
Vitamin D (D2 + D3)
|
µg
|
0
|
0
|
|
Vitamin D
|
IU
|
0
|
0
|
|
Vitamin K (phylloquinone)
|
µg
|
2.7
|
2.7
|
|
Lipids
|
||||
Fatty acids, total saturated
|
g
|
0.032
|
||
Fatty acids, total monounsaturated
|
g
|
0.036
|
||
Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated
|
g
|
0.019
|
||
Amino Acids
|
||||
Tryptophan
|
g
|
0.012
|
0.007
|
|
Threonine
|
g
|
0.043
|
0.042
|
|
Isoleucine
|
g
|
0.049
|
0.045
|
|
Leucine
|
g
|
0.084
|
0.082
|
|
Lysine
|
g
|
0.066
|
0.054
|
|
Methionine
|
g
|
0.022
|
0.017
|
|
Cystine
|
g
|
0.067
|
0.046
|
|
Phenylalanine
|
g
|
0.05
|
0.048
|
|
Tyrosine
|
g
|
0.015
|
0.016
|
|
Valine
|
g
|
0.071
|
0.066
|
|
Arginine
|
g
|
0.136
|
0.06
|
|
Histidine
|
g
|
0.032
|
0.029
|
|
Alanine
|
g
|
0.083
|
0.078
|
|
Aspartic acid
|
g
|
0.213
|
0.22
|
|
Glutamic acid
|
g
|
0.359
|
0.265
|
|
Glycine
|
g
|
0.101
|
0.09
|
|
Proline
|
g
|
0.13
|
0.111
|
|
Serine
|
g
|
0.057
|
0.062
|
|
Flavonoids
|
||||
Flavonols
|
mg
|
0.9
|
||
Proanthocyanidin
|
mg
|
10.7
|
Most people
are able to use date palm without experiencing negative side effects, although
allergic reactions are possible. A mild reaction may involve itching, sneezing,
or the development of a rash. A severe and potentially fatal type of reaction
known as anaphylaxis can cause chest pain, facial swelling, and difficulty
breathing. If any of these symptoms develop, emergency medical attention is
required to save the life of the patient.
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