Packed with essential nutrients, California Dates deliver more than just great taste, they are a great sugar substitute and can enhance a heart-healthy diet.
PALM DESERT, Calif., March 16, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The California Date Commission is recognizing National Nutrition Month® by shining a spotlight on the power of dates. National Nutrition Month® was created 50 years ago by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
This year's theme "Fuel for the Future" focuses on sustainability, nourishment during every phase of life and protecting the environment. California Dates check all the boxes.
"This incredibly delicious fruit is as good for the body as it is for the environment," said Kristy Kneiding, California Date Commission Manager. "California date palms can continuously bear fruit for decades, with an average lifespan of nearly 100 years. As more people follow plant-based or Mediterranean diets, California dates are the perfect option. It's not surprising to us that Whole Foods recently named dates as one of its Top Food Trends for 2023."
On the sustainability front, California's Coachella Valley provides ideal growing conditions for dates. Date palms thrive in dry deserts with extreme daily temperature fluctuations, and the humidity production in a California palm orchard provides much of the palm's own needs for water. Moreover, buying locally grown California dates rather than imported brands from other regions of the world ensures freshness from farm to table and can reduce the carbon footprint associated with transporting goods over long distances, thus helping to protect the environment.
California date palm growers are constantly optimizing soil management techniques to ensure a healthy soil future in the Coachella region. Dates have edible skin and no peel so there's minimal food waste. Each California date palm takes up to one ton of CO2 from the atmosphere during its lifetime, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change by reducing the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere.
California dates have the endorsement of the American Heart Association. Studies show date polyphenols (the antioxidant in fruits and vegetables that give dates their color) can help improve triglyceride and cholesterol levels for a heart-healthy diet. According to research published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, eating 100 grams or about ½ a cup per day can improve cholesterol levels in as few as 30 days. Dates contain soluble and insoluble fibers. The former dissolves in water and aids in reducing cholesterol absorption, helping to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
Nutrient-packed dates contain six essential B vitamins that should be consumed daily: thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, and biotin. Additionally, dates contain necessary minerals including potassium, copper, magnesium, manganese, zinc, calcium, and iron.
California dates are a great sugar substitute and can be used in a 1:1 ratio in most recipes, and are an ideal replacement for artificial sweeteners, which may pose certain health risks. California Dates are included as part of the following diet plans: Dash, Mediterranean, Paleo, Plant-based and Whole 30.
Nutrition Benefits of Dates:
- Nutrient-rich
- Contain powerful antioxidants
- Naturally sweet with no added sugars
- Lower in calories than sugar and have a low glycemic index of 42
- Provide a quick, lasting energy boost
- Heart-healthy
- High in fiber
- Promote digestive health
- Help lower cholesterol and triglycerides
- May reduce the risk of diabetes
To learn more about the health benefits of California Dates visit datesaregreat.com.
For delicious recipes using California Dates visit https://datesaregreat.com/date-recipe-center/
Media Contact:
Colin Trethewey / t2 Marketing International / [email protected]
Media Contact
Colin, California Date Commission, 813.480.1354, [email protected]
SOURCE California Date Commission
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