Dates contain lots of different vitamins, minerals and fiber. In addition, as a delicious fruit, dates have oil, calcium, sulfur, iron, potassium, phosphorus, manganese, copper and magnesium. that is the reason dates can be eaten as healthy snacks for both children and adults.

Dates have many advantages; they help treating intestinal disorders, heart disease, anemia, sexual dysfunction and impotence, diarrhea, constipation, stomach cancer, etc. Each date provides 20% sucrose, 50% glucose, albumin, pectin and some water.

Approximately, 30% of the weight of the date is composed of water. Each date provides about 2 grams of protein and less than 2 grams of fat and minerals. The amount of water and protein in the dates depends on the type of the dates and how ripe they are. We can eat them raw or cooked in cakes, pastries, puddings, breads, ice creams, cereals, and candies. Also, dates can be used in jams, jellies, juices, syrups, vinegar and alcohol.

Due to their tannin content, dates can be used as a useful and astringent remedy for intestinal diseases. Dates syrup or paste are prescribed as an effective remedy for treating sore throat, cold and bronchitis. Dates are used to relieve fever, gonorrhea, inflammation and liver and stomach diseases.

There are about 400 types of dates. The most important types are: Colonial, Pyaram, Barhi, Mazafati, Rabbi, Zahedi, Diri, Kabkab, Shahani and Shahabi.