COCONUT BLISS BITES
I haven’t been eating shop bought sweets for over 2 years now, but I obviously need some sweetness in my life. I love nourishing and functional foods, but when they are sweet and comforting, it is an additional bonus. This perfect snack can be ready in the shorter time than walking to your corner shop to get a chocolate bar.
Sweet nutritious goodness known for ages.
Date palms were cultivated as early as 4000 BC in lower Mesopotamia (today Iraq). Date palm trunks were used to build the temples and dates were believed to have healing powers. They were appreciated and cherished by the ancient civilisations of the Assyrians, Sumerians, Egyptians and Babylonians and later by Greeks and Romans. Phoenix dactyliferas are present in their drawings and sculptures.
Today, Egypt is the world leader in dates production and cultivation. Each year, this country produces slightly over 17% of global dates production. Following Egypt, dates are an important traditional crop in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Pakistan and United Arab Emiratesand. Dates (especially Medjool and Deglet Nour) are also cultivated in southern California, Arizona and southern Florida in the United States and in Sonora and Baja California in Mexico.
"Let food be thy medicine..."
Despite the high sugar content dates also have a high nutritional content. They are abundant in essential minerals and vitamins. Depending on the variety, eating about 100g of dates supply about 7% of recommended daily allowance (RDA) for iron, calcium, phosphorus and manganese. 100 g provides about 15% RDA for potassium, copper, magnesium and selenium. Potassium supports your muscles and nervous system and protects the brain from strokes. Iron alleviates anaemia. Intake of 100 g of dried dates delivers about 9% of RDA for water soluble vitamins such as B2, B3, B6 and B9. They protect the tissues from oxidative stress.
Dates are high in insoluble fibre that plays a significant role in the digestive processes. Insoluble fiber protects our body from bowel cancers and promotes regularity. It also helps prevent diabetes and helps feel full for longer.
Dates have antifungal, antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Moreover, they play an important role in modulation of the immune system. Phenolics present in dates support cardiovascular health.
Considering the bioactive compounds found in dates such as carotenoids, phenolics, anthocyanins and antioxidants, it is fair to say that dates can be used as functional food or as an ingredient in functional food.
RECIPE
2 ingredients coconut bliss energy bites
100g dried dates
40 g coconut bliss (coconut butter)
2 tsp shredded coconut (optional)
Soak dates for a few minutes, drain and place in a food processor along with the coconut. Blend until smooth. Shape mixture into balls and roll in desiccated coconut to coat. Enjoy!
Useful links
http://thesciencepublishers.com/science_letters/files/v3i1-4-2014044-SL.pdf
https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/world-leading-countries-growing-fresh-dates.html
Happi
Connect with me
