What are dates?
Dates are a fruit that come from the date palm tree, which is native to the Middle East, although they are also now grown in the Mediterranean, Asia, the USA and Mexico.
Dates grow in large clusters which hang from the top of these palm trees. As they ripen, their skins turn brown and wrinkle as more and more moisture leaves the fruit. This is when they are usually harvested by hand, either by someone climbing up the palm or using a mechanical lift.
When picked, they resemble a large shrivelled raisin. Despite their appearance they still contain some moisture. Whole dates have a stone in the middle that should be removed before eating, or you can buy pitted dates.
Dried and fresh dates are available year round, but the fresh type are best between November and January.
There are lots of different varieties of the fruit, but the medjool date is one of the best known, as it has a sweeter and stickier taste and texture than others.
Nutritional benefits of dates
A 30g serving of dates (dried) provides:
- 81 kcal / 345KJ
- 1.0g Protein
- 0.1g Fat
- 20.4g Carbohydrates
- 20.4g Sugar
- 1.6g Fibre
- 210mg Potassium
A serving of 30g of dates counts as one of your five-a-day. Discover more in our five-a-day infographic.
Top 5 health benefits of dates
1. Rich in protective antioxidants
Dates are a rich source of protective plant compounds which have antioxidant properties. These include polyphenols, carotenoids and lignans, which have been shown to help manage the risk of chronic disease.
2. May support gut health
Research into fibre continues to support its important role in health, from helping to maintain a healthy gut microbiome to reducing the risk of certain long-term health conditions.
A small 2015 study found that date consumption may reduce colon cancer thanks to its high fibre and polyphenol content, the latter also having useful anti-microbial benefits.
3. May support bone health
Dates are a source of bone-friendly minerals including phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium. They are also a source of vitamin K which is needed for healthy, strong bones.
4. May facilitate a natural birth
Including dates in the diet when in the final few weeks of pregnancy may promote cervical dilation and reduce the need for an induced birth. They are also thought to be helpful in reducing the length of labour. Compounds in the fruit are believed to mimic the effects of oxytocin, a hormone involved in labour contractions.
5. May be a useful sugar replacement
Date syrup is a paste made by blending dates with water. The syrup has a low Glycaemic Index (GI) and a lower fructose content than most other sweeteners.
Are dates safe for everyone?
Some people may be allergic to dates and, in addition to this, compounds called sulphites may, for some sensitive individuals, cause allergic symptoms.
A mild reaction may include symptoms such as an itching mouth or tongue, sneezing or a runny nose. If you experience these symptoms after eating dates, speak to your GP. If a more serious anaphylactic reaction occurs, call for an ambulance immediately.
Visit the NHS website to read more about allergies.
Date recipes
Peanut butter & date oat pots
Orange & mint salad
Aromatic lamb with dates
Spiced duck & date tagine
Pecan-stuffed dates
Date & walnut cinnamon bites
Moroccan chicken couscous with dates
This article was last reviewed on 6 October 2021 by Kerry Torrens.
Nicola Shubrook is a nutritional therapist and works with both private clients and the corporate sector. She is an accredited member of the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT) and the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC). Find out more at urbanwellness.co.uk.
Kerry Torrens is a qualified nutritionist (MBANT) with a postgraduate diploma in Personalised Nutrition & Nutritional Therapy. She is a member of the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT) and a member of the Guild of Food Writers. Over the past 15 years she has been a contributing author to a number of nutritional and cookery publications including BBC Good Food.
All health content on bbcgoodfood.com is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact your local health care provider. See our website terms and conditions for more information.
Labor Bars™ – Date Fruit Snack Bars
$5.00 – $144.88
Description
Labor Bars™ are delicious date fruit snack bars with a rich nutrition profile that can possibly assist in significantly reducing the need for induction and augmentation of labor and potentially produce a more favorable delivery outcome.
- Labor Bars™ are great for pregnant women/expecting mothers and make a great snack and sugar substitute. Our bars are a healthy snack for diabetics and high blood pressure or heart patients. Labor Bars™ are rich in fiber, potassium, magnesium, iron, copper, manganese and Vitamin B6
In addition to being healthy Labor Bars™ are sticky and sweet and ridiculously delicious! They are loaded with dates which naturally have a deep caramel flavor, and that is sure to make your taste buds rejoice! The ancient fruit is a product of date palms, a flowering palm tree found in arid places like the Middle East, Northern Africa, India, and California. Quality guaranteed!
EACH LABOR BAR HAS 35G of DATES. It’s suggested to Eat 1 or more bar daily during and after pregnancy for various nutritional benefits and a healthy boost of regenerative energy, eat 2 or more bars daily after 36 weeks!
Included in box:
- 1-80 Labor Bars™
Main Ingredients:
- Organic Dates (35G per bar): Dates are high in fiber and antioxidants. Their nutritional benefits may support brain health, prevent disease, and promote natural labor. Dates also work great as a laxative and help digestion. This makes dates a handy snack if you need to make a bowel movement (especially for pregnant women). Dates are helpful in this regard because of their fiber content.
- Organic Oats: Oats are among the healthiest grains on earth. They’re a gluten-free whole grain and a great source of important vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. Studies show that oats have many health benefits. These include weight loss, lower blood sugar levels, and a reduced risk of heart disease.
- Organic Honey: Consuming honey daily can offer health benefits such as antioxidants, better wound healing, and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Almonds: Almonds contain lots of healthy fats, fiber, protein, magnesium and vitamin E. The health benefits of almonds include lower blood sugar levels, reduced blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels. They can also reduce hunger and promote weight loss.
- Organic Coconut: Both coconut and almonds are high in calories, dietary fiber, iron and potassium. Almond has more thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and Vitamin B6. Almond is an excellent source of Vitamin E, calcium and protein
- Cashews: Cashews are low in sugar and rich in fiber, heart-healthy fats, and plant protein. They’re also a good source of copper, magnesium, and manganese — nutrients important for energy production, brain health, immunity, and bone health.
- Organic Dark chocolate: 7 Proven Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate
- Very nutritious.
- Powerful source of antioxidants.
- May improve blood flow and lower blood pressure.
- Raises HDL and protects LDL from oxidation.
- May reduce heart disease risk.
- May protect your skin from the sun.
- Could improve brain function.
- Natural Peanut butter or Almond butter (depending on your selection):
- Peanut butter, is loaded with so many good, health-promoting nutrients, including vitamin E, magnesium, iron, selenium and vitamin B6. Research shows that people who regularly eat nuts and nut butter, including peanut butter, are less likely to develop heart disease and type 2 diabetes
- Almond butter is high in monounsaturated fats. Monounsaturated fats help to lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and raise HDL (“good”) cholesterol. Many other nutrients in almond butter also help improve your heart health and lower your risk for heart disease. Omega-3 fatty acids help prevent irregular heart rhythms.
Additional information
Weight | 2 lbs |
---|---|
base flavor | peanut butter, almond butter |
quantity | 2, 10, 20, 80 |
Brand | Labor Bar |
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