header

Did You Know: Eating Dates Helps the Body in So Many Ways!

Sometimes the best things come in a small package, and if you’re looking for a particularly sweet example of this claim, you should know the various health benefits of dates!

There are different varieties of dates which are told apart in a few ways: Deglet Noor dates have a special sugar composition that gives them a taste different from that of other varieties, Zahidi dates contain more fibers than all others, Hayani dates are considered a smart choice for those who are watching their calorie intake, Tamari Beri It is possible to eat after freezing, and Halawi dates contain large quantities of magnesium. Despite these differences, all dates also have many common features, specifically the fact that they are healthy and contribute to the body in a number of surprising ways. We’ve collected for you 9 of the most important benefits of this fruit, which have been tested and proven by scientists from all over the world, so that you can take advantage of its wonderful abilities and live a long and good life.

Dates

1. Provide relief from constipation and similar digestive problems

In many cultures, it is customary to eat dates to treat various digestive problems, and a study in 2014 showed that there is actually a good reason to do so, since its findings showed that the consumption of date extract is an effective treatment for constipation. The reasons for this are probably the rich mineral content of dates, which helps to correct the imbalances that cause constipation, as well as the high fiber content: every 100 grams of dates has about 8 grams of fiber. Most experts recommend that women consume about 20 grams a day and men about 30 grams, and if you’re worried your not getting enough fiber a day, all you have to do is grab a handful of dates in the middle of the day. It should be noted that eating dates can also help people who suffer from other digestive problems such as irritable bowel, bloating and more.

2. Regulate blood pressure

Dates are an excellent source of potassium - a mineral that plays a significant role in maintaining normal blood pressure, and also relieves muscular pain and overall fatigue. Fortunately, potassium can be consumed with many healthy foods, such as bananas, peas, salmon, broccoli, and dates. In fact, one Majhoul date can contain close to 160 mg of potassium, and the fact that dates, in general, are high in fiber also makes eating them beneficial to blood pressure. The efficacy of high blood pressure treatment with natural foods is so high that Harvard also published a series of recommendations to treat the phenomenon drug-free, which included a recommendation to eat dates and similar dried fruits.
Dates

3. Protect the brain

To protect our brains we can do a lot of things like sleep more, learn new languages and indulge in sweet foods like dates. Various studies have shown that date consumption can protect the brain and fight against oxidative stress and inflammation. The findings of a study in 2016 detail the reasons for this and indicate the antioxidants in dates as the most significant components of this issue. Another study from 2015 found that these antioxidants have added value and not only protect the brain but also inhibit the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

4. Improve skin health

The contribution of dates to skin’s appearance is not only due to the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which improve skin's elasticity and shine but also from phytohormones, which have been proven as beneficial in a study published in the International Journal of Tissue Reactions. One of the positive effects of this component is reducing the levels of melanin in the body, which prevents darkening of the skin and the appearance of aging damage. Of course, this doesn’t mean that dates can stop the passage of time, but eating them regularly can definitely have a positive effect on the appearance of your skin.

Dates

5. Provide the body with energy

We all know the exhaustion and fatigue that hit us at the middle of a day of work, as we’ve all yearned for a comfortable bed or a huge cup of coffee instead of a few more hours of work. While these two options have certain advantages, it is advisable to consider a third and far more logical option - eating a handful of dates. Due to the natural sugars found in these fruits (glucose, fructose, and sucrose), they are a great snack to improve energy levels very quickly. There are also many athletes who consume dates after exercising or prolonged effort to speed up their bodies’ recovery process. Since dates contain very low amounts of fat and even a few proteins, about 2.5 grams per 100 grams of dates, they are definitely a perfect snack for athletes, and certainly for you too.

6. Improve love life

If you want to improve your love life and are looking for natural, healthy and safe ways to do so, you should know that date eating has been shown to increase sexual endurance. In the past, eating dates to improve fertility was a traditional and unfounded method of treatment, but over the years, various studies have shown that palm oil and date consumption improves male sperm levels, their ability to maneuver and the quality of their DNA. To enjoy these benefits, you can either eat dates as they are or prepare a traditional mixture according to the following instructions: Place a handful of dates pitted in a regular glass of milk or goat's milk for the night and in the morning crush them and add some honey and cardamom to the mixture. Drink right away and its effects will be felt after a few days.

Dates

7. Prevent cardiovascular disease

Dates contain very high amounts of Isoflavones flavonoids - plant compounds with the proven ability to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Add to this fact all the other benefits and nutrients already mentioned in the article, and you have a super-food to improve heart health. Eating a few dates each day is a sweet and easy way to keep your heart healthy and is also considered a natural preventive treatment for atherosclerosis - a general name for several diseases that cause thickening and stiffening of the artery wall. The sweetness of dates also makes them a healthy snack that replaces high-fat foods and sugars, so that they indirectly contribute to weight loss, a significant risk factor that increases the risk of heart problems.

8. Fight inflammation

One mineral that can be found in dates and has not yet been properly paid attention to is magnesium - a mineral that takes part in decomposition and cell building activities that are constantly being carried out in the body. Since many people don’t consume enough magnesium in their daily diet, it is strongly recommended to eat a handful of dates regularly and thus help the body prevent annoying and painful infections. This recommendation receives scientific support from a study published in 2016, which notes favorably the positive effect of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties of dates on the body.

Dates

9. Help fight cancer

The last benefit on this list is perhaps the most important of all, studies have shown that eating dates is an activity that prevents the development of various cancers, including stomach and intestinal cancer. These are some of the most common and dangerous cancers, therefore, it is important to know this fact so that we can protect ourselves and the people who are dear to us. Dates also contribute to the proliferation of friendly bacteria in the digestive system, leading to more efficient gastrointestinal activity, resulting in more efficient breakdown and absorption of the nutrients in the food we eat. You can eat your daily date portion with a glass of probiotic yogurt, and thus enjoy twice as much protection from various cancers and strengthen the digestive system.
Receive the newest health updates directly to your mail inbox
Did you mean:
Continue With: Facebook Google
By continuing, you agree to our T&C and Privacy Policy
Receive the newest health updates directly to your mail inbox
Did you mean:
Continue With: Facebook Google
By continuing, you agree to our T&C and Privacy Policy