Health benefits of eating dates

Although the date palm tree is indigenous to the Middle East, dates are now also grown in the Mediterranean, Asia, the USA, and Mexico. Dates are a type of fruit. Huge bunches of dates are draped across the crowns of these palm trees. As they ripen and the fruit begins to lose moisture, their skins wrinkling and turning brown. At this time, they are often manually collected, either by a person scaling the palm or via motorized lift. When they are harvested, they look like a large, shriveled raisin. A whole date should have the stone removed before eating, or you can buy dates that have already been pitted. Fresh dates are at their peak from November through January, but both dried and fresh dates are available all year long. The fruit comes in a wide range of varieties, but the medjool date is one of the most widely consumed due to its sweetness and stickiness compared to other species.

Numerous Antioxidants Can Be Found in Dates

Along with vitamins and minerals, dates are also rich in antioxidants. One study claims that dates are an excellent source of naturally occurring antioxidants that can be used to treat illnesses brought on by oxidative stress. Oxidative stress happens when the body’s ability to counteract free radical damage and the production of cell-damaging radicals is out of balance. It is a symptom of ageing and the cell damage that may lead to disease. Dates have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial characteristics, which may help prevent viral infections. According to supplementary research that was published in a study, dates are high in carotenoids, polyphenols (such as phenolic acids, isoflavones, lignans, and flavonoids), tannins, and sterols. They also possess anti-fungal properties.

Good source of energy

Fructose, sucrose, and glucose are among the natural sugars that are abundant in dates. They have a lot of sugar, which contributes to their high level of energy. It’s said that many people eat natural, low-fat dates as a quick afternoon snack when they’re feeling down or drained in order to immediately increase their energy levels. You feel exhausted after exercising at home on a stretching machine, in a gym, or even outside. According to a study that was published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, dates that are rich in essential nutrients may aid in your quick recovery of energy. Muslims who fast eat these things and only drink water to break their fast.

Could Encourage Healthy Weight Gain

These dried fruits are abundant in sugar, proteins, and numerous other vital vitamins and minerals, according to the USDA. Date consumption may promote weight gain. Additionally, they have a lot of fiber, which might help with weight management. A convenient and tasty snack, medjool dates may be found at most supermarket stores.

Dates Benefit Digestive Well-being

Three dates give around 18% of the daily necessary amount of fibre, which supports a healthy digestive system. In a 2015 study that was written up in the British Journal of Nutrition, the effects of consuming dates on the digestive system were the main topic. For 21 days, healthy males were randomly assigned to receive seven dates daily or a carbohydrate and sugar mixture as a control supplement. The 14-day “washout” phase was followed by group switching. Researchers found that eating dates increased the frequency of bowel movements in study participants and decreased the quantity of chemicals in their feces that are known to damage cells ,If you’ve ever experienced constipation, you’re aware of the havoc it can cause.

Dates help maintain blood sugar balance and heart health.

A statistically significant reduction in “bad” LDL and total cholesterol was seen in the date eaters. Additionally, the HbA1c level among the date eaters remained unchanged throughout the previous two to three months, a marker of blood sugar control.The high polyphenolic content of dates, which are micronutrients that naturally occur in plants, is suggested by the study to have the ability to improve lipid profiles, particularly in lowering total cholesterol and raising HDL. The study also reveals that due to dates’ low glycemic index, low to moderate dates consumption had no effect on blood glucose levels. The significance of the findings stems from the intimate relationship between heart health and blood sugar management. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among persons with type 2 diabetes, and those who have it are two times more likely to develop heart disease, including heart attacks.

Dates are high in fiber

Dates, which have over 7 grammes of fiber in a 3.5-ounce serving, are a fantastic method to enhance your fiber consumption. Fiber reduces constipation, which helps to improve the health of your digestive system. By aiding in the production of feces, it encourages regular bowel movements. In a study, 21 people who had 7 dates per day for 21 days had significantly more bowel movements and improved stool frequency than the control group. The fiber in dates may also aid in controlling blood sugar levels. Since fiber slows down digestion, a meal may not cause a significant rise in blood sugar.

May improve mental health

Dates may enhance mental performance. Dates are excellent at lowering inflammatory markers in the brain, like interleukin 6, according to laboratory research (IL-6). A increased risk of neurodegenerative illnesses like Alzheimer’s is linked to high levels of IL-6. Furthermore, other research, including those involving animals, have demonstrated that dates are effective in lowering the activity of amyloid beta proteins, which can result in plaques in the brain.Alzheimer’s disease and plaque accumulation in the brain can lead to brain cell death because it may interfere with brain cell communication. In one experiment on animals, it was discovered that mice fed food containing dates had considerably superior learning and memory skills as well as fewer anxiety-related behaviors than mice fed food without dates. Dates include antioxidants like flavonoids, which are known to reduce inflammation, therefore they may have a positive impact on cognitive function. To confirm the contribution of dates to brain health, more research on humans is necessary.