Superfoods: Ginger and Dates

Natural products of high added value such as Ginger and Dates are a good remedy in managing a healthy lifestyle change; they are affordable; as well as effective without any adverse effects.

Ginger                                                        

Ginger Helps with Pain Relief

It may reduce the pain associated with muscle injury after exercising. This could offer athletes a natural pain reliever and helps reduce inflammation in the body.

Ginger Help with your Metabolism

A number of studies suggest that ginger is also a thermogenic (tending to produce heat) agent that can help burn fat. A Dutch study confirms that ginger can boost the body’s metabolic rate and should be recommended for treating obesity. In addition, there are reports that ginger can boost metabolism by up to 20 percent. By increasing the rate of metabolism, ginger can help burn off some of the fat stored up in the body. This not only translates to weight loss but can also help reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels; as the body burns all the fat it is provided.

Ginger helps you to feel full as well as help with the sweet tooth

Eating ginger or drinking its water can help curb the urge to overeat, reduce sugar cravings, support digestion and absorption of nutrients.

Date Palms

Research studies have reported that dates are rich in microelements mainly potassium, phosphorous, calcium, chlorine and magnesium. Dates also have appreciable quantities of microelements; essentially iron, manganese, copper, and zinc.

Studies have shown that dates have antioxidant properties which fight disease-causing free radicals. These antioxidants possess anti-inflammatory, anti-haemorrhagic and anti-cancer properties.

• The potassium found in dates reduces stroke risk and adding dates to one’s diet can lower LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol.
• Dates are filled with natural sugars making them a perfect sweet treat and a quick energy boost (no more than 7 dates a day).
• Dates are a good source of soluble fiber which aids digestion.
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I have come up with an easy way to incorporate date and ginger together.

Ginger and Dates Tea

Quick way and My way per Cup

Grate ½ a thumb size of ginger and 2 teaspoons of Pureed date (soak your dates overnight in warm water, deseed and blend with little water, then refrigerate or freeze. Water from the soaked date can be used as a juice, sweetener or use to blend the date).

Mix your grated ginger and date in hot water, brew for 5/10mins and drink (you can chew the grated ginger).

ALTERNATIVE

Fill a Pot/Kettle with 1 cup of water. Add 2/3 dates, 1/2 a thumb size ginger (sliced, grated, cursed, chopped). Cover and bring to boil on high heat. Then turn heat to low and simmer for at least 30 minutes. Strain to serve. I prefer not to strain as I munch on the dates and ginger as I sip. Can be Served hot or cold.

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