Dates, also known as “desert bread,” are the health-preserving fruit the Dubai royal family loves that come from date palms. Although very sweet, they can be eaten in moderation—even by diabetics. On the program “Health 1+1,” Shu Rong, a veteran British traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) physician, said that dates are as delicious as they are medicinal. They can protect the heart, regulate blood sugar, and improve constipation. She also shared how the royal family of Dubai uses dates to maintain health.
Dates are a Persian fruit rich in vitamins, minerals, and natural sugars. Since their rich fructose does not circulate in the blood but is mainly metabolized relatively slowly in the liver, it can help control blood sugar to a certain extent and thus can significantly reduce hunger. Therefore, for those who practice Islam, dates become an indispensable food during Ramadan, an annual month-long fasting period.
Ms. Shu, who once treated the sheikh (tribal chief) of Dubai, said that dates are on every table in Dubai’s royal palace. During a meal with the royal family, Ms. Shu also saw that dates were placed everywhere on the dinner table to be easily reachable by almost everyone, and each person usually ate a few pieces at the end of every meal.
According to Ms. Shu, dates are described as Persian dates, foreign dates, longevity dates, and fairy dates in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. It is recorded in the ancient Chinese medicine classic “Supplements to Compendium of Materia Medica” that dates can help digestion and absorption, enhance the function of the spleen and stomach, increase strength, eliminate phlegm, relieve cough, and make the skin rosy and shiny.
Benefits of Dates
According to Ms. Shu’s analysis from a TCM perspective, dates have four benefits:1. Invigorate the Spleen
Ms. Shu said that people with diabetes have issues with their spleens and stomachs not being able to digest and absorb food completely, nor can they metabolize sugar properly. Dates are acceptable for them to eat, however, as they have the dual functions of maintaining the spleen and stomach and helping with digestion and absorption.2. Remove Phlegm
TCM believes that dates have the effect of removing phlegm and can regulate the balance of blood lipids and blood sugar. The “phlegm” mentioned in TCM refers to the unwelcomed substances inside the body, such as high blood lipids and blood sugar. “Phlegm” can also be interpreted as the substances causing inflammation inside the body. So removing phlegm can also eliminate inflammatory substances.A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry in 2009 found that after healthy participants consumed 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of two kinds of dates per day for four weeks, the body mass index (BMI), serum total cholesterol, the sum of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL ), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels were not significantly affected. Most importantly, the fasting serum glucose and triglyceride levels did not increase after the participants ate dates. Participants who ate Medjool and Hallawi dates also showed a significant decrease in serum triglyceride levels by 8 and 15 percent, respectively. The study also pointed to the beneficial effects of dates on serum triacylglycerols and oxidative stress despite their high sugar content, helping to prevent atherosclerosis.
3. Replenish Qi
Chinese medicine believes that qi is the “energy” or “vitality” that constitutes life in the body, and the substance that replenishes nutrients in the body is broadly called blood. The circulation of qi and blood maintains the balance and stability of various tissues and organs. When there is an imbalance or deficiency of qi and blood, disease or other complications may result.Ms. Shu said dates have the effect of nourishing qi. TCM believes that the flow of blood in the body needs qi to push it. The heart is protected when the body’s qi and blood run smoothly.
Filling the body with vital qi forms a natural defense against infection. At the same time, this clears “evil” substances from the body, reducing inflammation.
4. Cleanse Intestines
According to a 2015 study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, dates, rich in polyphenols and fiber, significantly increased the frequency of bowel movements. Compared to the control group, genotoxicity in fecal fluid was significantly lower in the group that consumed dates. The findings suggest that date consumption may reduce colorectal cancer risk without causing changes in the microbiota.Ms. Shu said that many Middle Easterners eat dates for a laxative effect, but the effect varies from person to person. Some people eat just one date at night for a laxative effect the next day, while others may need to eat three to five.
So how can you get the best laxative effect from dates? Ms. Shu said you should first soak the dates in water, then mash them into a paste and drink it to have a bowel movement the following day. She also said you can adjust the number of dates according to your physical condition. Start with one and increase gradually. If there is no obvious result after up to five dates, you may have to resort to other means to relieve constipation.
Therapeutic Date Dishes
Dates are available year-round and come in several varieties. They are also a versatile “year-rounder” in medicine. They can be paired with most traditional Chinese medicines, and since they’re sweet, children won’t have a problem eating them.Ms. Shu introduced several therapeutic recipes using dates with different health benefits.
1. Dates and Platycodon Decoction: Relieves Chronic Bronchitis
Cut open five dates and remove the pit. Mix with six pieces of Platycodon grandiflorus in 500 milliliters (17 fluid ounces) of water and boil for 15 minutes. The resulting amount can be taken in two servings. This recipe suits patients with chronic cough, dry throat, or who wish to cough up phlegm.According to Ms. Shu, you can drink this for a few weeks at first, and if you feel better, you can continue for two or three more months. If this is not the case after half a month, or your condition worsens, you likely have something else and should stop taking it.
2. Dates and Licorice Decoction: Relieves Dry Cough Without Phlegm
Cut open five dates, remove the pit, and combine with six pieces of raw licorice in 500 milliliters (17 fluid ounces) of water. Boil for 15 minutes. Split it into two daily servings. This is suitable for patients with dry cough without phlegm.3. Appetizing and Beautifying Decoction: Boost Spirit and Appetite
Cut open five pieces of dates, remove the pit, and combine with 5 grams (0.2 ounce) of Mume fructus, 5 grams (0.2 ounce) of hawthorn, 1 gram (0.04 ounce) of Hibiscus sabdariffa, and 500 milliliters (17 fluid ounces) of water. Boil for 15 minutes. No need to add sugar: The taste is sour and sweet. The soup can be drunk in two servings in a day. The decoction protects the spleen and stomach, boosts the spirit, moisturizes skin, and beautifies appearance.Who Should Be Cautious About Eating Dates?
Dates are delicious and have many health benefits, but Ms. Shu emphasized that four types of people must take special precautions when eating dates.- People with allergies: If you have allergies, you can try to start eating half a date first and gradually increase if there is no adverse reaction.
- Diabetics: Although dates may be able to control sugar, they should not be taken at will. Ms. Shu recommended that people with diabetes eat only one to three dates daily.
- People with stomach issues: Some date varieties are too hard to digest. If you have problems with hyperacidity, acid reflux, or abdominal distension, you should start with a small amount and gradually increase as appropriate.
Copy
