Date fruits are obtained from the date palm tree called Phoenix dactylifera. People have been using palm trees’ leaves, fruits, and stems for thousands of years. Dates are sweet and come in various shapes, colors, and sizes. About 70% of dates are made up of healthy sugars such as glucose, fructose, and sucrose.
Barhi, Diri, Deglet Noor, Halavi, Modjool and Zahedi are the famous dates used in the United States and the western world. These dates vary from black golden yellow to reddish-brown. Date palms, including black varieties, have solid antioxidants and essential minerals, vitamins, and nutrients in the above cases. A 2016 research paper in the journal Ethnopharmacology found that black dates have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.
Many researchers have concluded that date fruit and its syrup contain carotenoids, polyphenols and tannins, and other bioactive ingredients essential for therapeutic conditions.
Black dates benefits
Among the various dates, black dates are trendy and are mostly consumed. Black dates are usually oval to cylindrical in shape, 3 to 7 cm long, and 2 to 3 cm wide. fresh black dates are bright red to yellow based on variety and change to black after digging. Each fruit has a seed 6 to 8 cm thick and 2 to 2.5 cm long. Concentrated date pulp becomes sticky when ripe.
Black dates are a source of fiber and iron, but they also contain tannins, which are clinically used as a cleanser to treat intestinal problems because they are astringent. Black dates are usually eaten raw, dried, boiled, brewed, and syrup.
The fruits remain on the tree until they reach the final stage, but the dates are often harvested earlier to complete the drying process. Dates should be stored in a cool, dry place or refrigerator to retain moisture.
Black dates are probably chewier. Dried black dates are wrinkled outside, but the taste is consistent. They have a rich caramel flavor and can be used in savory salads, milkshakes, and ice cream. They also added bakery dishes such as cakes, bread, and even cookies.
Is black date fattening?
Black dates are high in sugar and carbohydrates compared to other popular fruits. For example, an ounce of banana has 24.9 kcal, 6.4 g of carbohydrates, and 3.4 g of sugar, an ounce of papaya contains 10.9 kcal, 2.7 g of carbohydrates, and 1.7 g of sugar, while an ounce of black dates has 77.5 g of carbohydrates and 18.6 g is sugar.
However, high levels of sugar and carbohydrates in black dates do not cause weight gain. It depends on the amount consumed and the recommended daily amount of calories.
A 2016 study published in the journal Nutrients summarized that nutrient-rich fruits could help you lose weight. After studying the nutrients in fruits, studies have shown that fruits may prevent obesity and weight gain despite their carbohydrate and sugar content.
Black dates have a high water and fiber content that reduces appetite. For your information, natural fruits are not high in sugar and carbohydrates compared to the processed foods we usually prefer. Therefore, fruits such as black dates help to lose weight. Almost all brown dates sold in Western countries are dry. Based on the date’s appearance, whether the date is dried or not can be determined. Wrinkled skin indicates dryness, while smooth skin indicates freshness. Fresh dates are relatively small in size and color depending on the variety, from bright red to light yellow. Medjool and Deglet Noor dates are the most widely used types of the dates.
They also contain some essential nutrients and have various benefits and uses.
Brown date benefits
Brown Dates have excellent nutritional value because they are almoast dried dates. Dried dates have a higher caloric content than most fresh fruits. The caloric content of dates is similar to other dried fruits such as raisins and figs. Most of the calories in dates come from carbohydrates. The rest are tiny amounts of protein. Despite their high-calorie, brown dates contain some essential vitamins and minerals. One serving of 3.5 ounces (100 grams) provides the following nutrients.
Brown dates are high in fiber, and getting enough fiber is essential for your overall health. With approximately 7 grams of fiber in a 3.5-ounce serving, including dates in your diet is a great way to increase your fiber intake. Brown date fiber can help keep your digestive system healthy by preventing constipation.
Other properties of brown dates include antioxidants with many benefits, including reducing the risk of several diseases. Antioxidants protect your cells from free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can cause harmful reactions in your body and lead to disease.
Are black dates better or brown dates?
Since each of these two types of dates has different properties, you must first see your priorities for eating dates. Both dates have almost the same characteristics and features. However, brown dates have a longer shelf life than black dates, and black dates are tastier.
