BARD VALLEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Adding to a long list of health benefits, the growers of Natural Delights™ Medjool Dates today announced that the country’s top-selling dates have also been certified as a heart-healthy food by the American Heart Association®’s Heart-Check Food Certification Program.
Natural Delights™ Medjool Dates are already known to be a good source of dietary fiber, have 50% more potassium by weight than bananas, provide 16 vitamins and minerals, and contain no fat or cholesterol. This certification by the American Heart Association® means that dates can be part of an overall healthy diet.
Known as the “Fruit of the Kings,” Medjool dates are also naturally sweet, gluten-free, nut-free, Kosher, Halal and Vegan – making them an ideal sugar substitute in recipes and a heart-healthy snack for people with various dietary needs.
According to the American Heart Association®, people who report eating foods that meet the Heart-Check Food Certification Program nutrition requirements are more likely to eat healthier and have fewer heart disease risk factors, based on a recent study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
To learn more about the Heart-Check Food Certification, including the nutrition requirements for certified products, visit: www.heartcheckmark.org.
Natural Delights™ Medjool Dates, per serving, includes the following nutritional breakdown:
- Total Fat: 0 g per serving
- Saturated Fat: 0 g per serving
- Trans Fat: 0 g per serving
- Cholesterol: 0 mg per serving
- Sodium: 10 mg per serving
- Natural Delights™ Medjool Dates are naturally sweet, whole-fruits, containing 16 vitamins and minerals including vitamin A & C, iron, potassium and magnesium, and include 3 g of dietary fiber and 1 g of protein per serving
“The designation of Natural Delights™ Medjool Dates as a heart-healthy food by the American Heart Association®’s Heart-Check Food Certification program represents the culmination of a long-term effort to educate the public and key influencers about the significant health benefits of the fruit,” said BVMDGA Director of Marketing Dave Anderson. “In addition to legitimizing the heart-healthy benefits, we expect the Heart-Check certification to result in an increase in overall Medjool date use, appreciation and fandom.”
Natural Delights™ Medjool Dates will roll out new packaging in October 2014, which will display the American Heart Association® Heart-Check mark for easy identification by consumers.
For additional information, visit Natural Delights™ Medjool Dates on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram.
About Bard Valley Natural Delights™ Medjool Dates
Known as the “Fruit of the Kings,” caramel-like Natural Delights Medjool Dates are considered the best-tasting, most luscious dates in the world. In addition to being a good source of fiber, they contain no added sugar, are contain antioxidants, and offer important vitamins and minerals including Potassium, Copper, Magnesium, Vitamin B6, Niacin, Calcium, Iron and Vitamin K. The Bard Valley Medjool Date Growers Association (BVMDGA), a consortium of family growers in the southwest, is responsible for over 80 percent of the Medjool dates grown in the United States. Thanks to their efforts, Natural Delights is the top Medjool date brand in the country. For more information, visit www.naturaldelights.com.
