Dates are also a good source of iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium. This fruit is particularly important for pregnant women, who need to consume a great many vitamins, minerals and proteins. Dates are a nutritious fruit mentioned in the Qur'an, and are an excellent choice for pregnant women. They have a high sugar content which increases energy levels and stimulates milk hormones. The substance oxytocin, found in dates, is used in modern medicine to aid childbirth and increase milk production.
Dates also contain a form of sugar which prevents blood sugar levels from rising too quickly, beneficial for those with diabetes, and a range of vitamins, minerals and proteins essential for pregnant women. Dates are a nutrient-rich food, containing minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, sulphur, phosphorus, and chlorine, along with vitamins A, beta-carotene, B1, B2, B3, and B6. Folic acid, a B vitamin, is especially important to pregnant women for its role in the formation of new blood cells and cell renewal. Potassium helps regulate water balance and oxygen to the brain, while iron helps control haemoglobin synthesis. Phosphorus and calcium protect against bone weakness.
Additionally, dates contain vitamin B6 and magnesium which reduce stress, and vitamins B1 and A which boost immunity and strengthen bones and teeth. Eating dates during pregnancy can provide the body with essential vitamins and minerals to protect against anaemia, infection, and other disorders.
The benefits of the date, especially during pregnancy and only recently established by modern medical science, were indicated in the Quran many years ago.