Dates: The wonder fruit for virility, complexion, digestion
DATES are no longer a strange food in Uganda. The fruits, which trace their origin to the deserts in North Africa, cost between sh1,000 and sh5,000 on the local market.
By Vision Reporter
DATES are no longer a strange food in Uganda. The fruits, which trace their origin to the deserts in North Africa, cost between sh1,000 and sh5,000 on the local market.
They are very rich in natural fibre and comprise other nutritional elements including calcium, potassium, oil, sulfur, iron, vitamins, iron, phosphorous, manganese, copper and magnesium.
Dr. Mohammad Roshani of the Indian Natural Remedy Centre in Kampala, says dates aid the development of a healthy heart.
“Though dates have lots of natural sugars, they are low in calories, thus no need to worry about type II diabetes or gaining weight,†he adds.
“Dates are energy foods and act as food supplements for the sick, people who are fasting and sportsmen,†says Roshani.
He adds that if eaten routinely, dates increase libido and check sterility caused by functional disorders.
He adds, that the reason Muslims eat dates during Ramathan is because the fruit is not only sweet, thus recommended to break the fast, but also aids digestion. Dates are also known to restore wasted body tissues and energy.
Dr. Augustus Rubaramira, a nutritionist in Kampala, says research reveals that dates help to strengthen the uterine muscles.
“Dates are also good for pregnant women, especially in the last trimester,†he says. “The fruits aid contraction or dilation in labour at the time of delivery,†he adds. “More so, dates help check or reduce haemorrhage (bleeding) and constipation,†explains Rubaramira.
“Elements contained in this wonder fruit help to ease depression, haemorrhage blues in mothers and enrich breast milk with nutrients that make a child healthy and resistant to diseases,†says Rubaramira.
He recommends about 100gm of dates in one serving.
Sticky date pudding recipe
Syrup:
250g brown sugar
200ml water
1 teaspoon butter
Pudding:
250g flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
250g chopped dates
250g brown sugar (additional)
1 tablespoon butter
83ml milk
l 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Method
To prepare syrup, bring to boil the brown sugar, water and butter. Pour into baking dish. To prepare pudding, mix flour, baking powder and all other ingredients. Mix well. Drop by spoonful into syrup. Bake at 375o C for 45 minutes. Serve warm.
NB: The butter will spread and dates will settle at the bottom.
Compiled by Agnes Kyotalengerire
DATES are no longer a strange food in Uganda. The fruits, which trace their origin to the deserts in North Africa, cost between sh1,000 and sh5,000 on the local market.
They are very rich in natural fibre and comprise other nutritional elements including calcium, potassium, oil, sulfur, iron, vitamins, iron, phosphorous, manganese, copper and magnesium.
Dr. Mohammad Roshani of the Indian Natural Remedy Centre in Kampala, says dates aid the development of a healthy heart.
“Though dates have lots of natural sugars, they are low in calories, thus no need to worry about type II diabetes or gaining weight,†he adds.
“Dates are energy foods and act as food supplements for the sick, people who are fasting and sportsmen,†says Roshani.
He adds that if eaten routinely, dates increase libido and check sterility caused by functional disorders.
He adds, that the reason Muslims eat dates during Ramathan is because the fruit is not only sweet, thus recommended to break the fast, but also aids digestion. Dates are also known to restore wasted body tissues and energy.
Dr. Augustus Rubaramira, a nutritionist in Kampala, says research reveals that dates help to strengthen the uterine muscles.
“Dates are also good for pregnant women, especially in the last trimester,†he says. “The fruits aid contraction or dilation in labour at the time of delivery,†he adds. “More so, dates help check or reduce haemorrhage (bleeding) and constipation,†explains Rubaramira.
“Elements contained in this wonder fruit help to ease depression, haemorrhage blues in mothers and enrich breast milk with nutrients that make a child healthy and resistant to diseases,†says Rubaramira.
He recommends about 100gm of dates in one serving.
Sticky date pudding recipe
Syrup:
250g brown sugar
200ml water
1 teaspoon butter
Pudding:
250g flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
250g chopped dates
250g brown sugar (additional)
1 tablespoon butter
83ml milk
l 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Method
To prepare syrup, bring to boil the brown sugar, water and butter. Pour into baking dish. To prepare pudding, mix flour, baking powder and all other ingredients. Mix well. Drop by spoonful into syrup. Bake at 375o C for 45 minutes. Serve warm.
NB: The butter will spread and dates will settle at the bottom.
Compiled by Agnes Kyotalengerire