The Holy Islamic month of Ramadan is imminent, the period of time when Muslim across the world observes fasting for 29-30 days depending upon the sighting of moon for Eid-ul-Fitr.
The fast in Ramadan begins by waking up early in the morning for Sehri, which end just a few minutes before Fajr Namaz and it is broken by eating dates in the evening which is known as Iftar.
There are quite a lot of religious and health benefits of eating dates during the month of Ramadan.
With Ramzan at the doorsteps, one thing that every Muslim household stocks up on is dates. Prophet Muhammad SAW (PBUH), recommended eating dates during Ramzan: “Break your fast by eating dates as it is purifying.”
According to a study published in 2003 by the International Journal of Food, Sciences, and Nutrition, dates are an ideal food, providing a wide range of essential nutrients and potential health benefits. The study concluded dates have at least 15 minerals, numerous amino acids and a fairly good amount of unsaturated fatty acids which are essential for our body.
As per the reports of the National Institute of Health, dates have a low Glycemic Index (GI), which makes the blood sugar rise at a steady rate instead of quickly.
1. Refrain you from overeating by filling you up with energy.
2. Easily digested
3. Provides a good supply of sugar and energy to the body and also acts as a vital nutrient for the brain cells and nerves.
4. Prevent constipation as there is a change in eating pattern in Ramzan also one does not eat much fiber during the fasting month.
5. The alkaline salts in the dates protect us from diabetes, gout, renal stones, gall bladder inflammations, high blood pressure, and hemorrhoids. Alkaline salts stabilize the acidity of the blood due to a large intake of meat and other carbohydrates during Ramadan.
6. Dates are said to have 10 elements which are crucial for humans to stay healthy and fit. The sugar in dates is fructose as opposed to glucose and does not lead to weight gain. Vitamin B6 soothes the nerves and is abundant in dates.
7. Eating dates after a long day of fasting can help the body’s blood glucose levels quickly return to normal.
8. Dates also beef up bones and can help in fighting diseases like osteoporosis.
By Sowmya Sangam
