Dates called ‘Dabino’ in the Hausa language, have several health benefits including healing powers since its discovery several thousands of years ago. And while science and health nutritionists have proved, the delicious dark fruits have since then been part of our menu list just like other nuts.
The common English names are dried dates, dates, date palm, etc. Date fruits are usually oblong, with varying sizes, colours, shapes, consistencies and quality. Its botanical name is Phonex dacylifera.
According to history, date palm is known to have come from what is now Iraq, however, Egyptians were known to have made wine with dates a lot earlier as well.
In Nigeria, and around the northern states such as Nasarawa, Sokoto, Kano, Kaduna and other northeastern states, it is a common sight of traders flaunting different colours of dabino in either golden yellow or deep purple but is dark brown with honey-like coatings when dry.
A nutritionist, Toyin Fayiga said dates contains natural fibre and a lot of other nutrients like oil, calcium, magnesium and more that make it easily digestible and also contain simple sugar like glucose, fructose and dextrose which are sources of instant energy.
“Dates are rich in indigestible fibre and can be a good laxative effect in the treatment of constipation.
“Dates have no cholesterol and are low in fat, but the fibre in it binds to low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) in the gut and stops its absorption in the small intestine.
“There are other uses of date fruits. Due to its high magnesium content, the date has anti-inflammatory properties and therefore good for chronic inflammatory conditions, like arthritis, allergic reactions, etc”.
Fayiga added: “Date fruits are also useful in the treatment of water retention, oedema, cystitis, strangury, yeast infection (candidiasis), etc, noting that, so far, there are no known side effects or hazards associated with the consumption of date fruits. However, due to the high in sugar contents, diabetic patients should avoid them.
Also, “dates can be used for cooking, commonly used to prepare porridge, in Libya. It is also used to produce local drink among the Hausas like kunu Aya(tiger nut drink)and is added as a component to enhance the taste. The seeds are also soaked and ground for animal feeds”.
Chidera Ezenwafor a nutritionist added that the fruit of the date palm tree also comes with a lot of health benefits.
Ezenwafor said dates are healthy and are a good source of various vitamins and minerals, energy, sugar, and fibre, “It also contains calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and zinc. She further outlined reasons why the fruits should be consumed as it lowers cholesterol, improves bone health, Strengthens the nervous system, improves skin, promotes digestion, fixes hangover among others”.
She suggested dates could be used as a quick healthy snack, as it contains vitamins such as B1, B2, B3 and B5, as well as A1 and C.
“A few dates every day she said, can replace vitamin supplements keep one healthy with a noticeable change in one’s energy levels because dates contain natural sugars such as glucose, sucrose, and fructose, too” she added.
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