Dates-Keep Your Dates Saved

A product of the date palm and cultivated since approximately 6000 B.C, the date fruit is one of the sweetest fruits around and also happens to come in many different varieties. Although dates can be eaten fresh, the fruit is very often dried, resembling raisins or plums. But whether fresh or dry, the health benefits of dates are still just as plentiful. The benefits of dates include relief from constipation, intestinal disorders, heart problems, anemia, sexual dysfunctions, diarrhea, abdominal cancer, and many other conditions. Dates are also good for gaining weight. They are rich in several vitamins, minerals and fiber too. The massive health benefits of dates have made them one of the best ingredients for muscle development. People consume dates in several ways, such as mixing the paste of the dates with milk, yogurt or with bread or butter to make them even more delicious. The paste is beneficial for both adults and children, especially during a time of recovery from injury or illness. According to a modern medical survey, it is now accepted that dates are useful in preventing abdominal cancer. 

• Dates were mentioned several times in the Bible, probably ancestors to the oldest-known seed planted successfully in modern times.

• In 1963, a date palm seed was discovered at Masada, an ancient fortress where, in 70 A.D., a large group of Jewish families killed themselves rather than face capture by the Romans. Planted in January 2005, the ancient date palm, named “Methuselah,” is now four feet tall.

Coconut - The Strength Giver

Coconuts are a mainstay in the diet of nearly one-third of the planet, it's considered exotic in the Western world. Experts describe the coconut as not just a fruit, but a nut and a seed as well – a drupe. It has three layers: the outside layer is known as the exocarp, and the fibrous husk or mesocarp is inside of it. The thin, woody layer surrounding the actual coconut "meat" is the endocarp. Since man inhabited the world, coconut trees were in existence. For centuries, the coconut has been claimed as a potent cure for nausea, rash, fever, earache, sore throat, bronchitis, kidney stones, ulcers, asthma, syphilis, dropsy, toothache, bruises, lice etc. While coconut milk is a wonderful base for all kinds of Thai dishes, coconut oil is becoming increasingly used in the U.S. for its nutritional benefits. One of the coconut’s most important aspects is what its medium-chain fatty acids mean for the human diet. The good thing is that rather than the high-fat food it was once thought to be, coconut is a powerhouse of nutrition and healing. They have a high fiber content, which makes you feel full longer and helps regulate elimination. 

"Coco," meaning "monkey face," was the name given to this tropical food by Spanish explorers because of the three indentations on the bottom. But these indentations are the key for opening the coconut successfully. Insert a screwdriver into the softest hole to drain the liquid into a bowl, and then use a sturdy knife to circumvent the coconut's seam a few times. Give it a sharp "thwack" on a hard surface to break it into two pieces. Voilà!

Banana - The Power Booster

Bananas are one of the most widely consumed fruits in the world for good reason. Eating them could help lower blood pressure and reduce the risks of cancer and asthma. Today, bananas are grown in at least 107 countries and are ranked fourth among the world's food crops in monetary value. Bananas are extremely healthy and delicious. They contain several essential nutrients, and have benefits for digestion, heart health and weight loss. Aside from being very nutritious, they are also a highly convenient snack food. Each banana contains only about 105 calories, and consists almost exclusively of water and carbohydrates. Bananas contain very little protein and almost no fat. Bananas are also known as the food of luxury.

At around 100 calories, a banana contains less than half a gram of fat. It is true that when excess sugar is digested and absorbed it can be stored as fat, but if you're eating when you're hungry and not overeating, this will definitely not happen from eating a 100-calorie banana.

Bananas probably originated in Malaysia; transported by early explorers to India, where they were first referenced in sixth century BCE Buddhist writings. Alexander the Great tried his first banana while on campaign in India and is said to have brought the fruit to the Western world.

Up your beauty game with Apricots!

Ripe and gold with luxurious feel, flavor and velvety surface, apricots are mostly relative with peaches, plums, and nectarines. It is a drupe, with a seed in the centre of the fruit, each in a uniform size. However, not many people know that Apricots are a great source of Vitamin C and can be used to keep the skin healthy throughout changing seasons.

Today, apricots’ primary commercial operations are in the Mediterranean and Middle East, with off season offerings from South America and New Zealand. Apricots are principally known for their essential bitter oil in the world market. The dried version of this fruit is globally loved, and in fact forms an important part of Iran’s global trade. Countries such as Turkey, Italy, Russia, Spain, Greece, USA and France are considered to be the leading producers of apricots. The best way to have apricots is to have them fresh or with salads mixed with dried nuts. Dried apricots are more consumed than the fresh ones. It’s also one of the healthiest fruits in the world, with loads of benefits. Also, ripe apricots are the best antioxidants while consumed fresh.

It’s said that 100 grams of fresh apricots gives you 12% of vitamin C, 12% of vitamin A, and 6% of potassium required by the body – all this under less than 50 calories. Apricots are also a good source of vitamin C, known to ward off vision problems, promote healthy skin mucous membranes, protect lung and mouth cancers, and provide more free radial-scavenging activity in your body.

Myth: Apricot kernel skins are poisonous. 

Truth: This is a myth that has been going around for many, many years. Not sure where it started, but it possibly began with a misinformed chef or recipe. This is a case of broken telephone. The "poison" the skin is meant to contain is the cyanide the flesh of the kernel itself contains.

Apricots were transported to Europe by Greeks who actually called them “golden eggs of the sun”.

Whether or not to eat Mango?

Whether or not to eat Mango?



Confused with high calorie, numerous benefits and awesome taste, just listen to Celebrity Dietitian Rujuta Diwekar.