Ajwa Dates

Al-Ajwa is known as one of the most expensive types of dates, and its scientific name is Phoenix dactylifera L. It is grown exclusively in Madinah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. They are a delightfully soft and fruity, quite dark in colour and tend to be a more of a dry variety of date from Saudi Arabia.

The nutrients content of Ajwa dates

Ajwa dates are distinguished by their higher amount of nutrients compared to other types of dates, as they are rich in carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, fibers, vitamins , and fats, and it also contains a wide range of phytochemicals such as: flavonoids, glycosides, phytosterols, and polyphenols, and the following is a detail of these nutrients:

Minerals: Madinah’s pulp is rich in manganese, magnesium, sodium and potassium .

Vitamins: Ajwa dates contain a number of vitamins, such as beta-carotene and vitamin C , in addition to B vitamins, such as: thiamine, known as vitamin B1, riboflavin or vitamin B2, and niacin or vitamin B3.

Fibers: Both the pulp and seeds of Ajwa dates are rich in fibers, including water-soluble fibers and insoluble fibers in water.

Sugars: Ajwa dates contain 25.41% of fructose and 31.33% of glucose. Compared to other dates , Ajwa dates are higher with its sugars content, including glucose, fructose, maltose, and galactose.

Studies on the benefits of Ajwa dates

According to a sudy publihed at the Phytomedicine journal in 2016, Ajwa dates contain antioxidants and anti – inflammatory, which can reduce the risk of heart disease and blood vessels.

A laboratory study conducted on mice, and published in the Egyptian Journal of Natural Toxins in 2011, indicated that Ajwa dates may contribute to reducing the risk of liver toxicity and other diseases.

A laboratory study conducted on mice and published in the BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine journal in 2017 indicated that taking al-Ajwa dates extract reduces the risk of liver cancer, and improves liver function. Antioxidants, and liver enzymes were restored to normal levels.

Another laboratory study, published in the journal PloS one in 2016, indicated that al-Ajwa dates extract reduces the growth of cancer cells in the breast and inhibits their spread, and a laboratory study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology in 2018 indicated that al-Ajwa dates possessed Potential properties that may reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

A laboratory study conducted on mice, and published in the Oriental pharmacy and experimental medicine magazine in 2016, indicated that al-Ajwa dates contribute to reducing headaches and provide a greater comfort for the brain and nerves compared to other types of dates, as it may have a sedative effect.

A small laboratory study conducted on mice, and published in the International Journal of Sciences: Basic and Applied Research in 2015, indicated that eating ajwa dates reduces fatigue resulting from physical activity, as the concentration of lactate decreased after the mice consumed the ajwa dates, when they swam for half an hour.

What are the benefits of Ajwa dates for pregnant women

Eating ajwa dates can help reduce the risk of preeclampsia , which is represented by high diastolic or systolic blood pressure in the period after the twentieth week of pregnancy, in a pregnant woman who was not suffering from high pressure In advance, a preliminary study published in the journal BioMed Research International in 2019 indicated that a pregnant woman consuming seven Ajwa dates per day reduces the rate of arterial pressure, and thus reduces the risk of preeclampsia.

It is safe for a pregnant woman to eat dates during the three pregnancy periods, and there is no evidence about the side effects of eating them, but it is worth paying attention not to over-eat dates, in case the need to control the amount of calories consumed and monitor the blood sugar level, due to its content High in carbs and calories.

What are the general benefits of dates

Dates contain a number of vitamins, minerals, and fibers, as mentioned previously, in addition to containing antioxidants that protect cells from free radicals, which are known to be unstable molecules that can cause damage in the body, which leads to infection with some diseases. It should be noted that dates, as a dried fruit, are high in calories.

Below are some Benefits given to Dates:

1- Dates are considered as a natural resource for nutrition, it provides the body with a high percentage of proteins, minerals and vitamins e.g. Vitamin A, B1, B2 and BB which are constructive ingredients for building up the body tissues and muscles.

2- Dales also help in pregnant women’s delivery; it activates the womb muscles in the months of pregnancy and helps in the womb movement at the time of delivery as well dates minimize the post-natal blooding.

3- Dates help in healing the liver from many parasitic diseases and good medicine for hepatitis and it contains vitamins B2.

4- Dates vitalize the ageing so it delays the ageing elements and it provides immunity against brain and body tiredness.

5- Dates are easy to digest, stimulates the urine, clean the kidneys and useful to the liver

6- Dates are a good appetizer. Dates are the perfect natural snack

Ajwa Dates, in particular, are good to use for the following things:

1- Effective in preventing abdominal cancer.

2- To prevent anaemia.

3- To strengthen the nervous system and increase in energy production.

4- For the treatment of hypertension.

5- For healthy bones.

6- For healthy skin and eyesight.

7- Protecting from pellagra, (a disease which is manifested as dermatitis.)

8- To treat dementia and fatigue.

9- To reduce triglycerides and cholesterol levels (LDL) in the blood.

10- To protect the heart and the circulatory system.

11- For protection against atherosclerosis and heart problems, and for protein metabolism.