Red dates are a food that we often consume in our daily lives. They can treat symptoms such as weakness, nervousness, poor digestion, chronic cough, anemia, and weight loss. However, due to the low cost and high income of red dates, many people profit from consumers through improper means by selling poor quality red dates, some of which even have carcinogenic effects. Below, we will teach you how to distinguish the good from the bad when it comes to red dates.
Cancer-causing toxic dates
1. Sulfur fumigated dried dates
Those red dates that have a bright, red, and large appearance are often sulfur fumigated. These red dates not only look good but are also favored by consumers. Unlawful vendors often purchase various types of poor quality red dates at low prices, fumigate them with sulfur to enhance their color, and then sell them. Sulfur contains toxic substances such as lead, sulfur, and arsenic. Regular consumption of sulfur fumigated food can harm the digestive system, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. In severe cases, it can harm the liver and kidneys, ultimately leading to various types of cancer.
2. Moldy dates
Many people like to eat dried red dates. If you encounter bitter-tasting red dates, it means they have become moldy. Any food that has become moldy may contain aflatoxin. Even if you wash and sun-dry the dates to remove the mold, the toxins produced by the mold will not be eliminated. Consuming moldy food can lead to liver damage, and long-term consumption of moldy food can lead to liver cancer. Therefore, make sure to thoroughly cook the dates before eating them.
How to distinguish toxic red dates?
1. Look at the appearance
Sulfur fumigated red dates have a particularly smooth appearance, as if they have been waxed, and appear glossy and round.
2. Look at the color
Sulfur fumigated red dates are "red" and "bright," with a relatively consistent color. Those that have not been fumigated appear dark red, with varying shades.
3. Look at the interior
When purchasing red dates, you can bite open a few of them and taste or smell them. The flesh of sulfur fumigated red dates is generally whiter (normal red dates are yellow) and has a slightly sour taste and a pungent odor.
Precautions for eating dates
1. Soak big dates in water before consuming
The skin of big dates is tough and not easily digestible. If you steep the whole date, it will be difficult to completely dissolve its active ingredients. Therefore, it is best to break them open before steeping.
2. Do not consume more than 15 dates at a time
While red dates are beneficial to health, more is not necessarily better. It is best not to consume more than 15 medium-sized red dates at a time, as excessive consumption can impair digestion and cause excessive stomach acid and bloating.
3. Avoid eating red dates during menstruation
Women should avoid eating red dates if they experience swelling of the eyes or feet, or bloating during menstruation. Women with a hot and dry constitution should also avoid eating red dates during menstruation, as it can lead to excessive menstrual flow.
