Natural Delights Meet AHA Heart-Check Certification

Adding to a long list of health benefits, the growers of Natural Delights Medjool Dates announced that their 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, say company officials.  This certification by the American Heart Association means that dates can be part of an overall healthy diet. Medjool dates are naturally sweet, gluten-free, nut-free, Kosher, Halal and Vegan, and are positioned by officials as a 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. According to company officials, 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 “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,” says Dave Anderson, director of marketing for BVMDGA. “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 random.” 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.