The Health Benefits of Eating Dates

Dates are the fruit of the date palm tree, which can be found in many tropical climates around the world. In recent years, dates have become increasingly popular.

The appearance of dates can indicate whether they have been dried or not. A wrinkled skin indicates they are dried, whereas smooth skin indicates freshness.

It have a chewy texture and a sweet flavour. They’re also high in a number of essential nutrients and have a wide range of benefits and applications.

Here are the 8 Proven Health Benefits of Dates:

1. Very Nutritious

Dates have a high nutritional value. Because they’re dried, they have a higher calorie content than most fresh fruits. It have a similar calorie content to other dried fruits like raisins and figs.

Most of the calories in dates come from carbs. The rest are from a very small amount of protein. Despite their calories, they contain some important vitamins and minerals in addition to a significant amount of fibre. Dates are also high in antioxidants, which may help explain why they have so many health benefits

2. High in Fiber

Getting enough fibre is important for your overall health. Dates contain nearly 7 grams of fibre per 3.5-ounce serving, making them an excellent way to boost your fibre intake. Fibre can help you avoid constipation, which is good for your digestive health. It aids in the formation of stool, which promotes regular bowel movements.

3. High in Disease-Fighting Antioxidants

Dates contain a variety of antioxidants that have a number of health benefits, including a lower risk of a variety of diseases.

Here’s an overview of the three most potent antioxidants in dates:
• Flavonoids: Flavonoids are potent antioxidants that have been studied for their ability to reduce the risk of diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and certain types of cancer.
• Carotenoids: Carotenoids have been shown to improve heart health and may also lower the risk of eye diseases like macular degeneration.
• Phenolic acid, which has anti-inflammatory properties, may help reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease.

4. Possibly Beneficial to the Brain

Dates have been shown in laboratory studies to help reduce inflammatory markers in the brain, such as interleukin 6 (IL-6). High IL-6 levels have been linked to an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease

However, human studies are needed to confirm the role of dates in brain health.

5. May Promote Natural Labor

Dates have been studied for their potential to promote and ease late-term labour in pregnant women.

In one study, 69 women who consumed 6 dates per day for 4 weeks prior to their due date were 20% more likely to go into labour naturally and were in labour for significantly less time than those who did not eat them.

Although eating dates appears to help promote labour and reduce labour duration, more research is needed to confirm these effects.

6. Dates Fruit is an Excellent Natural Sweetener

Dates are a source of fructose, which is a natural type of sugar found in fruit. For this reason, they are very sweet and also have a subtle caramel-like taste. They make a great healthy substitute for white sugar in recipes due to the nutrients, fibre and antioxidants that they provide.

It is important to note that although dates are high in fibre and nutrients, they are still fairly high in calories and best consumed in moderation.

7. Other Potential Health Benefits

Dates have been claimed to have a few other health benefits that have not yet been extensively studied.

• Bone health: Dates contain several minerals, including phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium. All of these have been studied for their potential to prevent bone-related conditions like osteoporosis.
• Blood sugar control: Dates have the potential to help with blood sugar regulation due to their low glycemic index, fibre and antioxidants. Thus, eating them may benefit diabetes management.

Although these potential health benefits are promising, more human studies are needed before conclusions can be made.

8. Easy to Add to Your Diet

Dates are incredibly versatile and make a delicious snack. They are often paired with other foods, such as almonds, nut butter or soft cheese.

Dates are also very sticky, which makes them useful as a binder in baked goods, such as cookies and bars. What’s more, you can use dates to sweeten up sauces, such as salad dressings and marinades, or blend them into smoothies and oatmeal.

It is important to note that dates are high in calories and their sweet taste makes them easy to overeat. For this reason, they are best consumed in moderation.

Dates are a very healthy fruit to include in your diet. If you’re looking for premium Dates, Head to The Farmland Fruits & Veggies.