The Benefits Of Eating Dates, Not Going On Them.

Since Ramadan is just around the corner, I’d thought I reiterate some information with you guys I wrote last year on the benefits of eating dates.

One brother said “you know it’s Ramadan again when brothers and sisters start giving each other dates”. Hmm..whatever that means.

I guess it was a joke, haha. Okay that was force laughter.

So what is a date fruit anyways?

A date fruit is the product of a date palm, a tree native to Northern Africa and the Middle East, although it is also cultivated in other parts of the world. In addition to being eaten fresh, the date fruit is dried and eaten whole as a snack or included in an assortment of desserts. Many regional Middle Eastern cuisines incorporate dates, as do Mediterranean cuisines like those of Italy and Greece. Dried dates are usually readily available in most markets, and fresh dates can be found in specialty markets in season. (courtesy of wisegeek.com)

Interestingly enough, In celebration of the holy month of Ramadan, Starbucks launched the Date Frappuccino a while back, the first localized beverage to be specially created for customers across all stores in the Middle East. I wonder when it’s going to come to the U.S. market? (see Starbucks Trying to Make HalalBucks With New Beverage)

So let’s give some Hadith from our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) first in case your wondering why Almost all Muslim’s break their fast with it. Thanks to the Age of Jahiliyah Blog, I was able to get alot of important information.

1. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Break your fast by eating dates as it is purifying.” (Narrated by Ahmad)
2. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “ Whoever finds dates should break his fast with them and the one who does not should break his fast with water because it is pure”

From the Quran: (below are two, I believe there are much more speaking about date trees)

One Real Quick look from the Quran, in Surah Maryam (19), verse number 23 ..

1. In the Qur’an when Maryam(as) the mother of Prophet Jesus(as) was giving birth to him and she was experiencing pain, she was told to: ” Shake the trunk of the palm towards you and fresh, ripe dates will drop down onto you.”
2. And in the earth are tracts (diverse though) neighboring, and gardens of vines and fields sown with corn, and palm trees – growing out of single roots or otherwise: watered with the same water, yet some of them We make more excellent than others to eat. Behold, verily in these things there are signs for those who understand! (Qur’an, 13:4)

Now for the Nutritional and Health Benefits, since you guys are all health freaks, =P:

( I was able to find a bunch from running a search in Google, just type in “benefits of eating dates”

1. Dates are rich in several vitamins and minerals. When the level of trace elements falls in the body, the health of the blood vessels is affected leading to an increased heart-rate and a consequent inability to perform its function with normal efficiency.
2. Dates are also rich in calcium, they help strengthen the bones. When the calcium content in the body decreases, children are affected with rickets and the bones of adults become brittle and weak.
3. Modern dietary institutes now recommend dates to be given to children suffering from a nervous nature or hyperactivity.
4. Modern medicine has shown that they are effective in preventing abdominal cancer
5. Dates are rich in natural fibers, they also surpass other fruits in the sheer variety of their constituents. They contain oil, calcium, sulphur, iron, potassium, phosphorous, manganese, copper and magnesium.

Mashallah, look at that, that’s official and the list goes on. So want a date? I’m sure you do after reading all this, nourish your body and soul. Go to the Whole Foods Market and grab some, or go to Atlantic Ave in Brooklyn. The finest date fruits, fresh and straight from Saudi =P.

AA