POWER FRUIT: DATES

Najmi, Muklhis and Mior

The three boys in the pictures above are my mentees.  We had a mentor meeting last Friday but instead of me mentoring them, the three were more concerned for me when they found out that I was very sick at that time.  As I had to take some photographs of the other mentor-mentee groups, they accompanied me on my rounds and were ready to grab hold of me should I fall or faint.  I am actually very proud of how chivalrous my boys are. 
Anyway, I did manage to have some pow-wow with them for about 15 minutes and found that the boys did not go to the dining hall in the hostel to take their pre-dawn meal at around 5.00 a.m.  They said that they could not make it on time and just drank some water before starting their fast for the day.  Only one boy, Najmi said that he took a few dates as his meal.  That was when I told them the importance of eating something before fasting as that was necessary.  I promised to buy them some dates so that they could eat them for sahur (the pre-dawn meal).  At the end of the school day, the boys came and collected their dates from me. 
Now let me turn your attention to a power fruit known as dates and its benefits.

• Each date provides 23 calories, and is a good source of carbohydrate, fiber, and potassium, also providing some calcium and iron along with other vitamins and minerals in smaller amounts.
• The date is a laxative food. It is highly beneficial in the treatment of constipation as the roughage provided by it stimulates sluggish bowels. They should be immersed in water at night and taken after making them into fine syrup the next morning to secure laxative effect.
• Dates are also an excellent remedy for alcoholic intoxication. In such cases, drinking water in which fresh dates have been rubbed or soaked will bring quick relief.
• Dates are an effective remedy for weak heart. Dates soaked overnight in water and crushed in the same water in the morning after removing the seeds should be taken at least twice a week in this condition. It will strengthen the heart.
• Sexual weakness can also benefits from dates. A handful of dates soaked in fresh goat’s milk overnight should be ground in the same milk in the morning. A pinch of cardamom powder and honey should be mixed in this preparation. This becomes a very useful tonic for improving sex stamina and sterility due to functional disorders.
• The nicotinic content that is present in the dates is said to be beneficial for curing any kinds of intestinal disorders.
• Dates are beneficial for curing abdominal cancer. They work as useful tonic for all age groups. They work as better as the medicines, and are natural and do not bear any side effects in the body. They can be easily digested and used for supplying extra and needed energy.
• Ripe dates contain potassium. Potassium is beneficial for controlling diarrhea. They are easily digestible, which helps to cope up with the problems of diarrhea.

Sources:

http://www.ayushveda.com/dietfitness/benefits-of-dates/
http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/health-benefits-of-dates.html