5 Health Benefits Of Eating Dates

” Dates are a famous kind of fruit that has been around since long time ago. ”

They are one of the most famous fruits that came from date palms and has been cultivated since thousands of years ago in the Middle East and North Africa.

7 Health Benefits of Dates
Dates are rich in iron, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, and they are a good source of fiber. They are also rich in calories, making them a great energy source. Sweet in taste, dates are also a good alternative to refined sugars. (Sources: saudiarabia.un.org)

As time goes by, they are also grown in other regions such as the Mediterranean, Asia, the USA, and Mexico. 

For now, Egypt is known as the world’s top producer of dates followed by other middle east countries like Iran, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. 

Although dates are usually associated with the making of desserts, they are also highly nutritious and can provide great health benefits to your body. 

In this article, we will discuss the health advantages of dates. If you are interested in Date Juice, get it here now

5 Health Benefits Of Dates That You Should Know 

 

  1. Contain Variety Of Antioxidant Components

Dates are high in antioxidants. Antioxidants are basically considered protective compounds in our body by slowing down or preventing cell damage caused by free radicals. 

These free radicals are generated by a chemical reaction known as oxidation. Thus, the role of antioxidants is to inhibit production.

Health Benefits of Antioxidants in 2023 | Health, Health tips, Antioxidants
Epidemiological prospective studies show that higher intakes of antioxidant-rich fruits, vegetables, and legumes are associated with a lower risk of chronic oxidative stress-related diseases like cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and deaths from all causes. (Sources: www.hsph.harvard.edu)

Some of the antioxidants that can be found in dates include: 

  • Carotenoids
  • Polyphenols (e.g., phenolic acids, isoflavones, lignans, and flavonoids)
  • Tannins
  • Sterols.

 

  1. Support digestive health

Dates are high in fiber and polyphenols content. Fiber consists of laxative properties which help in making the process of food digestion become easier and more efficient. 

While in the other hand, components like polyphenols are known to have prebiotic effects. It helps in the growth and stimulates the activities of friendly bacteria in your gut. This allows the gut bacteria to produce more nutrients for your colon cells. 

With these properties, dates help promote a healthier digestive system and also prevent symptoms of constipation.  

 

  1. Protect The Heart 

According to World Health Organization ( WHO ), Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally, taking an estimated 17.9 million lives each year.

The risk of having heart disease and stroke is related to behavioral risk factors such as an unhealthy diet, a sedentary lifestyle, etc.

This condition subsequently leads to harmful consequences for your health such as raised blood pressure, blood glucose, blood lipids, and obesity. 

MEDJOOLA DATE DAY - February 4, 2024 - National Today

Regular consumption of dates is believed to provide protection for the heart by preventing atherosclerosis – where arteries become hard and clogged up with fatty deposits known as plaques. 

As it is a kind of fruit that is rich in antioxidants, dates help in preventing these plaques which are also known as bad cholesterol from clogging up the arteries and leading to a heart attack. 

 

  1. Reduce Blood Sugar Level

Although dates are popular for their natural sweetness due to their high fructose content, they are relatively much healthier than artificial sweeteners and safer. 

This is due to their low glycemic index characteristic. A meal that is filled with low glycemic index food helps in lowering the level of your body’s blood glucose.

Infographic: Where do your Ramadan dates come from? | Infographic News | Al Jazeera
Sources: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/13/where-do-your-ramadan-dates-come-from

Thus, eating dates may benefit those who are suffering from diseases like Diabetes Mellitus, making them a safer choice. 

 

  1. Brain Protection

Research had found that high level of inflammatory markers like interleukin 6 (IL-6) is associated with a higher risk of neurodegenerative diseases. 

The most common example that can be found in Alzheimer’s disease. The disease is characterized by brain cell damage due to the deposition of amyloid beta proteins around the cells subsequently forming plaques in the brain. 

Thus, leading to further damage and death of brain cells causing the loss of brain volume. A person with Alzheimer’s initially may develop mild memory loss which can progress further and seriously affect a person’s ability to carry out daily activities.

Studies found that eating dates helps in lowering the level of IL-6, thus proving that it helps in improving brain health. 

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Dates are one kind of fruit that is highly nutritious and brings a lot of benefits to your health. Thus, they are definitely worth adding to your diet. 

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