The date has an excellent concentration of iron. A hundred grams of dates provide with approximately 25 and 100% of the recommended daily consumption of 10 mg/day for men and between 15 and 70% for women in approximately 15 mg/day. The lack of iron is common all over the world, bringing about anaemia due to a diminution of the haemoglobin production. Dates have also a good concentration of folate, a vitamin of the B group closely related to health during pregnancy. Approximately 100 g of dates provide 20-35% of the recommended daily consumption of folate (0.2 mg/day). The lack of folate may cause anaemia. The reserves of folate in the body are related to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Many of the healing properties of dates were already known and used in the Old times. Nowadays these properties have been proved: most of them are due to the wealth of cellulose and fructose in this fruit.

Dates whet the appetite, and are useful to treat intestinal and stomach disorders related to the lack of appetite. They are also recommended to treat hepatic disorders and anaemia, as well as constipation, since they act as smooth laxatives. Thanks to their high nutritious and energetic value they are good tonics.

However, they are contraindicated in case of diabetes, obesity and gastric diseases along with hyperclorhydria. Due to their high content of sugar, an habitual consumption of dates may favour the appearance of dental decay and problems in gums. The presence of tyramine may cause migraine in sensible people.

Dates have also the interesting property to soften dry cough and to fight the respiratory channel colds.