Dates are sweet, soft and dry fruit that are popularly consumed in the desert climates of the Middle East, the Mediterranean and Asia. This fruit grows on the date palm tree in clusters called drupes and is typically dried before eating. Dates have a distinctly sweet flavor and vary in size, shape and color according to the many types found in varying regions. Black dates include those native to the Arabian peninsula. The Dasman Institute notes that this traditional staple food is known for its many nutritional qualities and health benefits.
Facilitate Digestion
The date fruit is rich in both insoluble and soluble dietary fiber. The site FamilyNutritionOnline.com advises that these the insoluble fiber in black dates and other varieties helps to facilitate digestion by increasing the rate of food moving through the gastrointestinal tract. The soluble fiber helps to decrease high cholesterol levels, particularly unhealthy low density lipoprotein or LDL and control blood glucose levels in individuals with diabetes or high insulin levels.
Body Nutrients
Black dates and other types contain several minerals and vitamins that are essential for many body functions including metabolic reactions and red blood cell production. These include vitamins A, B-1, B-2, B-3 and B-5 as well as the minerals calcium, sulphur, iron, copper and magnesium as listed by the Dasman Institute.
Energy Boosting
The European Food Information Council advises that dates are high in complex carbohydrates and natural sugars such as glucose, sucrose and fructose. These properties make them power boosting foods for fast and long lasting energy.
Heart Health
All dates including the black variety contain high amounts of the mineral potassium and low amounts of sodium or salt. FamilyNutritionOnline.com notes that this property makes them beneficial for maintaining a healthy nerve system and improving heart and vascular or blood vessel health to decrease the risk of heart disease and stroke.
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