The secret of the fruit that is sweet when bitten lengthwise, but sour when bitten crosswise

Dates are a fruit that originates from the Middle East and can be grown in regions such as the Mediterranean, Asia, America and Mexico.

Dates grow in large clusters at the top of the tree and have a sweet, mild flavor. When ripe, the skin turns brown and becomes more wrinkled with moisture.

While dried dates have long been familiar to Vietnamese consumers, fresh dates are rare and usually only appear seasonally, imported directly from Middle Eastern and North African countries.

What makes this fruit a hot topic in the market is the way it is eaten: bitten lengthwise it is sweet, bitten horizontally it is astringent.

In addition to its unique flavor, dates also provide users with many health benefits thanks to their rich nutrients, vitamins and natural minerals.

1. Why is there a difference in taste when biting vertically and horizontally?

The explanation for the difference in flavor when biting lengthwise and crosswise on a fresh date is an interesting story that revolves around the special structure of this fruit.

According to experts, the phenomenon of "biting vertically feels sweet, biting horizontally feels bitter" is not due to differences in chemical composition but lies in the way the fiber structure and natural resin inside the fruit work when in contact with the taste buds.

Specifically, when biting vertically along the fruit - that is, along the grain of the fruit, the eater will mainly feel the soft flesh containing a large amount of natural sugar. This is where the sweetness is concentrated, bringing a cool, pleasant flavor, creating a feeling of lightness and fullness. On the contrary, if biting horizontally, the teeth will not only penetrate the fruit flesh but also touch the fibrous layer and the resin near the seed inside. This resin layer contains tannin, a familiar compound often found in persimmons or banana peels, causing a slightly astringent feeling, even a bit astringent on the tip of the tongue when eaten.

It is the uneven distribution of structural components within fresh dates that creates this multi-dimensional flavor experience. This is not only unique but also adds to the interestingness, making fresh dates a favorite fruit for their surprising differences. In the world of fruits, there are few that possess such interesting "flavor secrets".

2. Health benefits of dates

Not only possessing a unique flavor, dates also contain rich nutrients, contributing to many significant health benefits.

Below is a detailed analysis of the outstanding effects of this fruit that you may not know:

Provides fiber, improves digestion effectively

Dates contain a rich amount of natural fiber, with about 7g of fiber per 100g, which strongly supports digestive health. This fiber not only prevents constipation but also helps stimulate intestinal motility, improving excretion efficiency.

According to the latest research, regular supplementation of 7 dates per day for 21 days has shown the ability to significantly improve the frequency of bowel movements in people with constipation problems. This proves that dates can be an ideal nutritional choice to improve digestive health.

A powerful source of antioxidants

Another important ingredient that dates provide is a large amount of antioxidants, which help the body fight many diseases and reduce the risk of inflammation. The three main antioxidants that stand out in dates are flavonoids, carotenoids, and phenolic acids.

These compounds not only help reduce inflammation but also promote heart health and prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer's and other neurological disorders. This is evidence of the disease-reducing effects of dates.

Support brain development

Not only good for overall health, dates are also known for their positive effects on brain function. Thanks to their high levels of flavonoids and antioxidants, dates help reduce signs of inflammation in the brain as well as inhibit amyloid beta protein - the agent that causes the formation of plaques associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. In addition, it also has the potential to improve memory, increase learning ability and protect brain function in the long term.

Promote natural labor

For pregnant women, the benefits of dates are particularly evident in supporting natural labor. Especially in the final weeks of pregnancy, date supplementation has been shown to increase cervical dilation, reduce the need for labor aids, and shorten the time to delivery. Compounds in dates bind to oxytocin receptors or mimic the effects of oxytocin - a hormone that plays an important role in labor.

Choosing the ideal natural sweetener

Dates contain fructose - a natural sugar, giving them a sweet, delicious taste similar to caramel. Thanks to this characteristic flavor, many people have used dates as a perfect substitute for white sugar in cooking.

In addition to their natural sweetness, dates also provide adequate nutrition, fiber, and antioxidants. However, it is important to note that dates should not be consumed in excess to avoid affecting blood sugar levels and nutritional balance in the body.

3. When is the best time to eat dates?

Dates have many health benefits, but to get the most out of them, it is important to use them correctly and in the right amount. Here are the ideal times to add this nutritious food:

Eat for breakfast

Starting your day with dates will make your breakfast more delicious. In addition, thanks to the rich fiber content, eating dates in the morning helps you feel full longer, supporting the digestive system well.

Eat as an afternoon snack

In the afternoon, dates are the perfect snack. They provide instant energy thanks to their fiber and natural sugars, helping to keep you alert and reduce feelings of fatigue.

Eat when you feel hungry

When you are hungry, a few dates will help you regain strength quickly and feel full longer. If you want to provide more nutrition, you can combine dates with peanut butter to increase the fiber, protein and carbs for the body.

Eat before exercise

Before exercise, adding dates will help the body have a source of slow-release carbs, providing a stable source of energy, supporting more effective exercise performance./.