Fun Food Facts: Almonds and Dates

Did You Know?

Historians generally agree that almonds and dates, both mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible, were among the earliest-cultivated foods.

Almonds

1) Of all the seeds and nuts, the proteins in almonds are the most like the proteins in human breast milk, which is why the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine chose it as the base for its baby formula.

2) Almonds are a rich source of Vitamin E, containing 24 mg per 100 g.  They are also rich in monounsaturated fat, one of the two "good" fats responsible for lowering LDL cholesterol.

3) In Ayurveda, the Indian system of medicine, almonds are considered a nutritive for the brain and nervous system.  They are said to induce a high intellectual level and longevity.

4) Almonds are actually stone fruits related to cherries, plums and peaches.

5) Recent studies have shown that the constituents of almonds have anti-inflammatory, immunity boosting and anti-hepatotoxicity effects.

Dates

1) Date stones have been found in Egypt that date to 4500 BC.

2) Dates contain up to 70% sugar by weight.

3) The average date palm produces about 100 pounds of dates a year. A good date palm can produce 300 to 600 pounds of dates per year, and will produce for 100 years or more.

4) Date palms take about 7 years after planting before they will bear fruit, and produce viable yields for commercial harvest after about 10 years.

5) In Islamic countries, dates and yogurt or sometimes milk are a traditional first meal when the sun sets during Ramadan.

Sources
www.foodreference.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Date_Palm