Are Dates a Natural Sweetener Or Not?
Some times are described as a stimulant food which includes dates. The Fruit because of its high level of sugar functions as stimulant food, clears your digestive tract and facilitates smooth digestive process and prevents you from being constipated. The fruit has good nutritional value and supplies natural proteins like fructose and glucose. The main vitamins found in dates are also remarkably effective in boosting memory power and makes it as one of the best food to relieve stress. It is believed that the sugar content of dates helps in improving concentration, mood, and energy levels, which in turn rejuvenates our body and refreshes us from within.
It is said that dates fruit is considered as the ” queen of all foods” because of its unique collection of benefits which is shared by mankind through out history. The dates are available in two types; dry and wet. The dry type has less fibrous content while the wet variety has more fiber. Due to the greater water content in the wet variety, it easily soaked up any moisture present inside while the dry variety does not.
The sweetness of dates lies in its rich sugar contents which range from one to five hundredfold. The sweetness of this sweetener comes due to the presence of an abundant level of fructose in the product. Fructose is a natural sweetener which helps in reducing the glucose level in our body. Due to its presence, our blood sugar level stabilizes and we do not feel hungry for a longer period of time.
The health benefits of dates are immense, one such being its ability to help in maintaining and enhancing fertility. The dates are a rich source of vitamins and minerals apart from being a source of energy. In addition to the healthy vitamins and minerals, it also contains trace amounts of iron, phosphorous, calcium, sodium, potassium and zinc. These minerals and vitamins together offer us excellent health benefits. This is the reason why many people prefer dates to other sugary delicacies which are devoid of vitamins and minerals.
However, due to the rich sugar content of dates, they can be considered as a poor substitute to fresh dates. The fresh dates are available in their natural form and hence can be eaten immediately. On the other hand, the dried dates require to be stored in the refrigerator for an extended period of time which will ultimately reduce their value in terms of taste and nutrition. This is why many people choose fresh dates during the holy month of Ramadan as they believe it is the best time to enjoy eating fruits. During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims believe that the food they eat should not have any sugary content. Hence, they strictly avoid any type of fruit juices, candy, dried fruits, raisins or even honey.
The fact is that fresh fruits and dates contain all the nutrients and vitamins required by our body. So if one is wondering whether dates are natural sweetener or not, they can safely answer ‘no’. However, it is important to note that there are various manufacturers who try to extend the shelf life of the dates by adding artificial sweetening agents in them. Although these manufacturers ensure to add natural ingredients in the products but still the product comes with artificial sweetening agents. It is therefore important to read the label on the date before purchasing it.