Longmen Pear Dates

Longmen Pear Dates

　　Dates are rich in nutrients and are considered a premium tonic food. According to analysis, 100g of fresh dates contain 23.3g of carbohydrates, 430.54kj of calories, 1.2g of protein, 0.2g of fat, 14mg of calcium, 23mg of phosphorus, and 0.5mg of iron—all essential substances for the human body. Dates also contain abundant vitamins. 100g of fresh dates provide 300–600mg of vitamin C, which is higher than that found in apples, pears, grapes, peaches, hawthorn, citrus fruits, oranges, tangerines, and lemons. In addition, date fruits are rich in vitamin P, vitamin A, vitamin B, and flavonoids, all of which are highly beneficial to human health. Dates have high medicinal value—both the fruit and its kernel, leaves, heartwood, and bark can be used in medicine. The “Shennong’s Materia Medica” and “Compendium of Materia Medica” both document their therapeutic benefits, noting that dates help strengthen the spleen and stomach, enrich the blood, and invigorate the spirit. Modern medical research shows that red dates are effective in treating conditions such as blood deficiency, anemia, cough due to lung weakness, neurasthenia, insomnia, hypertension, septicemia, and allergic purpura. They are a highly valued nutritional tonic in both domestic and international medical circles. (Hejin)