Celebrate National Nutrition Month with delicious and nutritious California Dates
This incredibly tasty fruit is as good for the body as it is for the environment. As more people follow a vegan or Mediterranean diet, California dates are the perfect choice.
Palm Desert, Calif. (PRWEB)
March 16, 2023
The California Date Commission recognizes National Nutrition Month by highlighting the power of dates. National Nutrition Month® was created 50 years ago by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
This year’s theme, “Fuel of the Future,” focuses on sustainability, nutrition at every stage of life, and environmental protection. California Dates tick all the boxes.
“This incredibly tasty fruit is as good for the body as it is for the environment,” said Kristi Kniding, director of the California Dates Commission. “California palm trees can bear fruit continuously for decades, with an average lifespan of nearly 100 years. As more people follow a vegan or Mediterranean diet, California dates are the perfect choice. It’s no surprise to us that Whole Foods recently named dates as one of the top food trends for 2023.”
On the sustainability front, California’s Coachella Valley provides ideal growing conditions for dates. Palm trees thrive in dry deserts with extreme fluctuations in daily temperatures, and the California palm grove’s moisture production provides much of the palm’s own water needs. Furthermore, purchasing locally grown California dates rather than brands imported from other regions of the world ensures farm-to-table freshness and can reduce the carbon footprint associated with transporting goods over long distances, helping to protect the environment.
California date palm growers are constantly improving soil management techniques to ensure a healthy future for the soils of the Coachella region. Dates have an edible skin and no peel, so there is minimal leftovers. Each California palm takes up to one ton of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere over its lifetime, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
California dates are endorsed by the american heart association. Studies show that date polyphenols (the antioxidants found 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 half a cup per day can improve cholesterol levels in as little as 30 days. Dates contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. The former dissolves in water and helps reduce cholesterol absorption, which helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
Nutrient-packed, dates contain six essential B vitamins that should be taken in daily: thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, and biotin. In addition, dates contain essential minerals including potassium, copper, magnesium, manganese, zinc, calcium and iron.
California dates are a great substitute for sugar and can be used at a 1:1 ratio in most recipes, and are an ideal substitute for artificial sweeteners, which may pose certain health risks. California dates are included as part of the following diet plans: DASH, Mediterranean, Paleo, Vegan, Whole30.
Nutritional benefits of dates:
- Rich in nutrients
- Contains powerful antioxidants
- Naturally sweet with no added sugars
- They contain fewer calories than sugar and have a low glycemic index of 42
- Provide a quick and lasting energy boost
- Heart health
- High in fiber
- Promote digestive health
- Helps lower cholesterol and triglycerides
- May reduce the risk of diabetes
To learn more about the health benefits of california dates, visit datearegreat.com.
For delicious recipes with California Dates, visit https://datesaregreat.com/date-recipe-center/
Media contact:
Colin Trethewey / t2 Marketing International / [email protected]