In the event you’ve ever been to Palm Springs, you could have observed that dates are all over the place. The shriveled little fruits are the star ingredient within the metropolis’s famed date shakes and sticky date muffins; in truth, there are such a lot of date farms within the space that touring one is repeatedly listed as one of many space’s many “issues to do.” However dates aren’t only a Palm Springs factor—they’ve lengthy been a staple in conventional Center Jap and North African delicacies. They’re an especially vital a part of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, when they’re historically eaten every day at sundown to interrupt the day’s quick.

Lately, you could have additionally observed dates popping up in well being meals shops and touted as a “wholesome” sugar various. However right here’s the factor: dates positively don’t style like one thing that may be good for you. They really style fairly decadent—nearly like sweet; they’re chewy and candy, with wealthy caramel and honey notes. Their pure deliciousness is definitely what consultants say makes them so interesting.

“Dates are significantly nice as an entire sugar substitute as a result of, not like sugar, they’ve so many constructive accompanying substances,” explains meals writer and diet professional Dagmar von Cramm, once we ask “are dates wholesome?” They add the fruit is excessive in minerals like potassium, copper, and iron. She additionally says that as a result of they’re very low in acid, a little bit goes a good distance: “Even small quantities of dates appear very candy.”

What precisely are dates, anyway?

Dates are the fruits of the date palm and have been thought-about a wholesome and vital ingredient within the Center East, the place they originated, since no less than 4000 B.C. Their form could be described as an elongated and oval—a little bit like an outsized, plump raisin. The colour can differ relying on the variability, however is all the time gentle to darkish brown. The dried fruits have skinny skins and are sticky and creamy inside, with a consistency just like dried figs or prunes. The primary taste notes are caramel, honey, and brown sugar.

There are loads of several types of dates—round 400 to be exact. However the best-known varieties are the Medjool (or King) date and the Deglet Nour (or Finger of Gentle) date. The varieties differ not solely in look but additionally in taste, with some variants tasting considerably sweeter than others. Some are additionally extra nutritious than others.

Are dates wholesome?

With a excessive carbohydrate and calorie depend—in addition to excessive ranges of glucose—it’d be straightforward to low cost dates as mere empty energy. Nevertheless, dates even have loads of constructive properties, together with a surprisingly low Glycemic Index. One vital purpose? Fiber. With practically 7 grams of fiber per 3.5 ounce serving—that’s about 4 Medjool dates—they’re a wonderful supply of this all-important dietary element and are identified to gradual digestion, maintain blood sugar ranges from spiking, and maintain intestine well being in examine. (That is why, by the way, dates work so properly as fast-breakers throughout Ramadan.) And, research have additionally discovered that individuals who eat dates each day see vital enhancements of their bowel operate in comparison with once they don’t eat dates.