Ajwa Dates – A Delicious & Nutritious Gift
Ajwa is a sweet, spicy and aromatic Indian fruit which is widely cultivated in Rajasthan and Gujarat and is also known as dates. Ajwa is a brand of unripe, dry and unripe dates which is divided into two categories-distilled and pulpy. These dates are juicy, sweet and very aromatic which can be eaten as an added ingredient in any dish.
Ripe Ajwa dates are known to contain a lot of sulphur rich vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C and folic acid which makes them a very good source of nutrition. Ranging from a light brown to nearly black color, these dates are juicy and quite acidic in nature and hence are referred to as, “black dates”. Also known as, “dry Ajwas”, these dates hold a unique position in Islamic dietary traditions. They are rich in minerals, sulphur and selenium, have good amount of calories and are also a rich source of all good vitamins.
The medicinal value of a Ajwa date is quite old but still it has not been able to find its place in any western diet. The fact that Ajwa dates are a good source of protein and selenium and also good source of vitamin B, this is the main reason behind their popularity in the west as well. As mentioned above, they contain a lot of nutrients which are essential for human body and are also found in abundance in all major organs of a human body. These nutrients enrich the body with necessary vitamins and minerals and these vitamins and minerals have their own peculiar medicinal value which cannot be obtained from any other natural food.
The unique antioxidant properties of Ajwa are the result of their presence of beta-carotine and quercetin amongst others. These two compounds, present in the raw material of these dates, posses an important role in the process of photo-degeneration and destruction of oxygen radicals in our body. The presence of antioxidants in the raw material of dates helps in protecting the body from free radicals. They are also responsible for protection of the eyes and skin.
One of the minerals present in abundance in Ajwa is hemiothrein. This mineral is mainly responsible for reducing the risk of osteoporosis by increasing the availability of calcium in the body. In addition to this, it also provides calcium and other minerals which are important for healthy teeth and bones. Other than these important minerals, sahih (grapeseed oil) also plays an important role in enriching the body with vitamins and minerals. These vitamins and minerals are important in providing energy to the body and these energy sources are referred to as sattabs.
Sattabs are also responsible for providing the body with the above mentioned substances in the right proportion. Sattab is a rich source of magnesium and other trace elements. It also contains a substance called manganese, which is responsible for maintaining the balance of sodium in our body. Magnesium found in Ajwa is very helpful in improving the blood flow to different parts of the body. Oxidized LDL cholesterol found in the bloodstream is mostly reduced due to the presence of magnesium in Ajwa dates which is also helpful in reducing the chances of heart diseases and cancer.
Several studies have been conducted on the medicinal value of Ajwa Dates. These studies have revealed that a variety of biochemical properties are present in this bitter and blackish brown fruit. These properties found in the medicinal value of Ajwa Dates include anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral, anti-carcinogenic, diuretic, depressant, muscle relaxant, stimulant, tension relieving and detoxifying properties. Due to its remarkable medicinal value, this fruit has gained the name as the “nature’s antioxidant”. Since our body is filled with various toxic elements, antioxidants are of immense importance these days. Therefore, this fruit, due to its unique medicinal value, has been used all across the globe for the treatment of various ailments including, cardiovasculitis, oral cavity infections, tooth decay, oral candida, lung infections, urinary tract infections, skin rashes, headaches, cramps, neuralgia, joint pains, dental phlebitis, eye problems, kidney problems, pancreatic disorders and a host of others.
Eating fresh Ajwa dates helps in enriching our immune system. As it is an excellent source of magnesium, chromium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, thiamine, niacin, taurine, riboflavin, panax ginseng, borax, cyperus rotundus, and many other trace elements. Dried Ajwa dates helps in improving appetite and digestion. Moreover, it increases energy levels and keeps you refreshed.