These sweet little gems are not only delicious — they’re an incredible food source, bursting with health benefits and physiological support. Containing a plentitude of amino acids, vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals, dates improves brain function and energy, supports the digestive system, reduces anemia, and regenerates muscle and bone. — all while tickling our taste buds with their delectable sweet goodness.
Dates are ideal for athletes and adventurers, as fruit sugar and potassium refuel both the muscles and brain, which rely on glucose to propel us through strenuous activity.
With powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-infective properties, dates can help improve all types of inflammatory conditions, including auto-immune disorders, inflamed gut, and chronic infections. Their anti-parasitic properties help eliminate yeast, mold, parasites, fungus, bad bacteria, heavy metals, viruses, and other pathogens from the gut.
Dates are also beneficial for those with hypoglycemia or diabetes, as they deliver glucose to the liver, which combats the same loss of glucose responsible for issues with blood sugar.
Also rich in bioactive minerals, dates support our adrenal glands and heart health. Packed full of amino acids, dates offer high levels of potassium to fortify and sustain nerves and muscles. Dates are also rich in magnesium, manganese and copper.
An antioxidant-heavy food, dates also protect our cells from free radicals, which are unstable molecules in our environment that cause negative physiological effects and eventually lead to disease.
Three types of antioxidants are present in dates
- Flavonoids — assist in reducing inflammation
- Carotenoids — promote heart health
- Phenolic acid — contains anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce heart disease
Dates are high in fiber, which is crucial to overall health, and important because most modern diets do not contain adequate fiber. Fiber slows the digestion process and prevents any spike in blood levels, which is important when it comes to sugar intake. The digestive system benefits from fiber as well, lowering incidence of constipation, and acting as a preventative for certain cancers.
The potassium found in dates also benefits our nervous system, improves brain activity, and increases mental alertness.
History
Documented as the world’s oldest-cultivated fruit, fossils confirm that date palms have been in existence for 50 million years, at least.
It is believed that dates are native to ancient Greece. The date palm eventually became known as The Phoenix, as Greek mythology associates the tree with the immortal Phoenix bird. Some mythological accounts claim that the Phoenix bird would build its nests in date palms. The legend of the Phoenix says that the bird, after catching fire from the sun, would be reborn of its very own ashes. Some versions claim the date palm would also die and come back to life alongside the Phoenix bird.
History
Documented as the world’s oldest-cultivated fruit, fossils confirm that date palms have been in existence for 50 million years, at least.
It is believed that dates are native to ancient Greece. The date palm eventually became known as The Phoenix, as Greek mythology associates the tree with the immortal Phoenix bird. Some mythological accounts claim that the Phoenix bird would build its nests in date palms. The legend of the Phoenix says that the bird, after catching fire from the sun, would be reborn of its very own ashes. Some versions claim the date palm would also die and come back to life alongside the Phoenix bird.
Dates are able to grow around the world, including the dry deserts of North Africa and the Middle East, where they have been a staple in cuisine for thousands of years. Hot temperatures, an arid climate, and access to water are conditions that allow the tree to thrive.
Each year, the global marketplace yields approximately 8.5 million metric tons of dates, with countries in the Middle East and North Africa being the largest producers.
Our Two Cents 2¢
At Cacao Now, our vision is to create food that is free from refined sugar. Many people hold the general idea that dates contain excessive amounts of sugar, and wonder how consuming dates could be any better than eating straight sugar.
While simple and basic to us, we recognize that the answer to this question might be more complex to others.
Nothing compares to whole, intact food. When you eat a whole date, it is delivered to your body in conjunction with its natural fibers, which slow the metabolization of sugar — and with its other nutrients, creating a complete, whole foodprofile. The body will instantly recognize it as a whole food, rather than as a fragmented piece of something larger.
We encourage everyone to focus on the whole picture, rather than becoming too preoccupied with numbers or math. Food will never be numbers and math.
All Cacao Now products contain dates, except our Keto Buddha Bites.