Nature's candy is full of natural sugars

Dates are rich in fibre, potassium and amino acids, and a good food for the health-conscious

Last updated: September 15, 2018 | 19:41

2 MIN READ

Dubai: Dates used to be part of an Arab's diet as this ‘nature's candy' was easy to transport and did not require refrigeration, according to a dietician.

She said this energy-boosting fruit helps stop the craving for sweets and is good for those who are obese or overweight.

"It's full of natural sugars and much healthier,' she said. The natural sugars include fructose, glucose and sucrose.

But she notes that diabetics should eat just eat two or three dates at a time.

The fruit has very low calories (about 23 calories in a single date) and is a good food for the health-conscious.

Controls cholesterol

Lubna Surya, dietician with Aster Clinic, said the fibre in the fruit helps control bad cholesterol. According to the American Cancer Society, fibre (about 20g to 35g) is good for your body as it helps eliminates toxins from your body.

Amazingly, dates are also full of other good things. It is a treasure house of B-complex vitamins, which are essential for the functioning of your metabolism.

Dates also have 20 kinds of amino acids which help ease the digestive process.

Their rich potassium content helps reduce the risk of stroke or coronary heart disease and helps bring down high blood pressure.

Anti-oxidant

The selenium in dates is a good anti-oxidant.

The dietician said eating dates is ‘sunnah' (the practice of Prophet Mohammad, PBUH).

In Ramadan, Muslims start and end their fast with dates.

A perfect food

Nature's candy: power-packed with natural sugars which give you an energy boost

Calories : very low, suitable for the health-conscious

Fibre: lowers bad cholesterol and cuts craving for sweets, eliminates toxins

High in potassium content: which helps cut the risk of stroke and coronary heart disease

Host of B-complex vitamins: essential for the function of metabolism