Dates, A Ramadan Treat

Do you know that the mental focus achieved during Ramadan causes the body to produce more brain cells, improving brain function?

Research has shown that fasting can help clear the mind and awaken the senses while boosting brain functioning. With Ramadan fast approaching, it is a time for spiritual cleansing and a great chance to detoxify your body. In addition, the Ramadan fast is a time to help those in need and spend time with family and friends.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and is considered one of the holiest months in the Muslim calendar. The Ramadan fast is one of Islam's Five Pillars, following Prophet Muhammad's commandments. The Muslim tradition holds that Allah revealed the Quran, Islam's holy book, to the Prophet Muhammad during the Ramadan fast on the 'Night of Power' (Layat al Qadr). As a result, during Ramadan, particular emphasis is placed on prayers and reciting the Quran.

As a result, the Ramadan fast is a time for Muslims to reflect on their faith. It is an act of prayer that allows one to draw closer to God while strengthening their spiritual health and self-discipline. Ramadan is a time of worship and sobriety as abstinence from food and bad habits that do not please Allah.

The Sacredness of Dates

Date fruit is one sure thing to find in a Muslim household during the Ramadan fast. However, Is it how dates melt into one's mouth, saturating every fiber of the tongue with their sweetness, making it unique? As a Ramadan treat, dates go beyond the sweetness of the date fruit. The sacredness of the date fruit is evident in many ways.

● A Symbol of Abundance

Dates, a fruit that grows in tropical and desert climates, have an important place in Middle Eastern and North African cultures, as they mostly grow in these regions. Both dates and date palms are considered symbols of power, triumph, abundance, and faith.

●????Dates at the Iftar Table

The tradition of eating dates stems from the Prophet Muhammed's religious teachings, who said, "When one of you is fasting, he should break his fast with dates: but if he cannot get any, then he should break his fast with water, for water is purity" this could imply that, when equated with water, dates can serve as a symbol of purity during the Ramadan fast.

In line with the commandments and practices of Prophet Muhammad, Muslims follow a religious tradition of serving dates at the iftar table (the evening meal after the fast). On the other hand, some break their fast with dates rather than just including them in their feed.

●????Seven Dates a Day

While the world is familiar with the proverb "an apple a day keeps the doctor away," the Muslim equivalent is "seven dates a day keeps the doctor away." According to research, Prophet Muhammad believed that eating seven dates in the morning protected one from poison and witchcraft. Therefore, Date has a mystical, almost supernatural quality. Consequently, dates are considered a blessed fruit predominantly consumed during the Holy Month of Ramadan. One of the most common reasons for headaches or dizziness during Ramadan is low blood sugar, so eating dates is very beneficial at the start of Iftar.

●????Dates for a Newborn

According to studies, dates are mentioned more than 20 times in the Quran, and many Muslims prefer them for tahneek, the practice of rubbing something sweet into a newborn's mouth.

Beyond the Ramadan Fast

Beyond the sacredness of eating dates during Ramadan, the next time you bite into a date fruit after the fast, think of the health benefits of dates which include:

1. Dates are easy to digest, so they don't exhaust your stomach after fasting.
2. Breaking the fast with dates can reduce hunger which may cause over-eating that could lead to digestion disorders.
3. Eating dates activates the digestive juices and secretions that prepare the stomach for food reception after a long fasting day.
4. Dates are wealthy with 'natural' glucose, an excellent nutrient for brain cells and nerves.
5. Dates prevent constipation due to a change in the eating times or low fiber intake during fasting days.
6. The alkaline salts in dates can adjust the acidity of blood resulting from excessive intake of meat and carbohydrates, which can cause a lot of hereditary diseases such as diabetes, gout, renal stones, gall bladder inflammations, high blood pressure, and hemorrhoids.

5 Creative Ways to Enjoy Dates This Ramadan

While dates are satisfying and nourishing in their natural form, this Ramadan, you can try any of these five creative ways of serving dates on your iftar table or at suhoor in this year's Ramadan.

1. Date Syrup: Instead of sugar or honey, date syrup can be a perfect substitute. You could use it for a spread on bread waffles or pancakes or as a sweetener for tea, coffee, oatmeal, or any other cereal. Even if you detest chewing the date fruit itself, using date syrup can aid you in keeping to the Prophet's commandment of including dates in your meal

2. Date Smoothie: The natural sweetness of dates makes for an excellent fruit juice, but an even better milkshake or smoothie. Grounded Dates are added to condensed milk and other fruits to create a healthy smoothie.

3. Date for Cookies: One may also eat dates by baking them in cakes, cookies, desserts, pies, and bread. While Medjool dates are perfect for milkshakes, it's better to use the not-so-waxy and moist ones for baking.

4. Stuffed Dates: While most Muslims gobble the dry or soft dates out of hand, they are also prepared in different ways worldwide, incorporated into local dishes. In many Eastern or North African countries, you'll find pastry shops that carry all kinds of stuffed dates. Almonds, walnuts, cashews, pistachios, pecans, candied orange, lemon peel, tahini, cheese—the stuffing options are endless

5. Chopped Dates: One of the easiest ways to incorporate dates into a healthy diet is by pitting and chopping them into salads, sandwiches, and pasta.

Parley Investment Limited, a Meck Doramen & Associates investee, has carved itself in Food Processing via Parley Dabino Syrup. Parley Dabino Syrup is a treasure trove of goodness in a jar. It is the perfect choice for you during this Ramadan. Aside from purchasing a jar of Parley's Dabino Syrup, What other creative way would you like to enjoy your Date this season?

We at Meck Doramen & Associates wish you a Happy Ramadan Mubarak in advance!

?#africa #nigeria #ramadan #dates #dabinosyrup #parleyinvestment #investing #advisory #privateequity #venturecapital #accounting #taxplanning #meckdoramen #MDassociates #ICAN #CPA #charteredaccountant