Date facts
Photo by Mona Mok on Unsplash

Dates are commonly available pretty much everywhere. They’re a part of many sweet recipes but are rarely eaten alone. How often do you use dates? You may be tempted to give them a shot after learning more about them.

Dates are native to Northern Africa and the Middle East, although today they are grown in other parts of the world, too. Some of the places in the U.S. where you can find the date palm trees include California, Arizona, and Florida. The plant has evolved to survive high desert temperatures.

How To Use Dates

You can use dates to make cakes, smoothies, energy bars, and many other things. They are often used as a sugar replacement as they are exceptionally sweet. Together with nuts, seeds, and other fruits (dried or fresh), dates make amazing vegan & high-protein energy balls or bars that you can store in the fridge for several days.

Nutritional Benefits

Dates also have many health and nutritional benefits. They contain vitamin B6, potassium, magnesium, copper, manganese, and iron. They are believed to be good for brain health, as well as your overall health. Pregnant women use dates to promote labor and help with contractions as they approach their due date (no pun intended).