If you are looking for a delicious snack that promotes good health, look no further than dates. Dates are a natural addition to your diet and offer extensive health benefits.
What are Dates?
Dates come from the date palm tree and are cultivated across the world but mainly are grown in tropical regions. They offer fantastic flavor whether eaten fresh, dried or even as date molasses, an all-natural sweetener made from date syrup. In addition to great taste, dates can help improve your health.
Ever since they were discovered, dates were thought to have healing powers. More recently, science has backed this up, and we are beginning to understand exactly how the compounds contained in dates benefit our health.
Dates have been found to have significant health benefits in many areas. Research continues to uncover new ways in which dates can make us healthier. Many of those benefits come from the essential minerals contained in dates. These include iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and zinc. They also contain essential vitamins like thiamin, niacin, vitamin A, riboflavin, and vitamin b6.
Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of date fruit and how this delicious fruit can improve your health.
1. Dates are a Good Source of Energy
When you feel your energy waning, instead of reaching for a second cup of coffee or another processed snack, reach for some dates. They are high in natural sugars which help get your energy up fast and also in essential nutrients to keep that boost going longer. It is a great idea to keep some dates handy at home or at your office for when you need a little pick me up.
2. Dates May Prevent Heart Disease
Many of us underestimate the risk of heart disease. It is critical that we do all that we can to keep our heart and circulatory system healthy. Dates are rich in several compounds that may reduce some of the risk of heart disease. They are rich in antioxidants, various phytochemicals, and potassium, all of which can reduce the risks of heart disease and stroke.
3. Dates are Rich in Iron
Another one of the benefits of date fruit is that they are a good source of iron. This is excellent news for anyone who suffers from iron deficiency. There are many causes of iron deficiency, and it can be a contributing factor to anemia, which can cause dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
4. Dates Promote Bone Health
No matter your age, it is vital to keep your bones healthy. A little preventive care now can keep them strong for years to come. Dates are rich in several minerals that promote healthy bones including selenium and copper. Taking care of your bones now can help prevent conditions like osteoporosis.
5. Dates and Brain Health
Brain health is vital at any age and becomes more critical as we get older. Eating dates may possibly improve brain function. Initial studies have shown dates to lower inflammatory markers in the brain. High levels of these markers are associated with a high risk of degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimer’s. Some studies have shown dates to contain compounds that may improve memory and learning ability. Dates may even help reduce anxiety.
6. Dates Promote Digestion
A healthy digestive system is a key to our overall health. Digestive problems can cause discomfort, illness, and even nutrition issues. Dates are rich in soluble fiber, which is the key to healthy digestion. This can assist in helping things to move smoothly through your digestive tract and even aid in relieving constipation. Fiber may also be a key ingredient in avoiding conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and diverticulitis.
7. Dates May Help with Healthy Weight Gain
One of the benefits of date fruit still being studied is their potential to help people gain weight when needed. Dates are full of sugar, proteins, and vitamins and may help individuals who need to put on some extra pounds.
8. Dates Can Reduce Inflammation
Inflammation can be caused when your body reacts to anything it determines be foreign. It could be microbes, pollen, or other foreign particles. Inflammation is normal but sometimes it happens for no known reason and that can cause health problems.
Dates are loaded with magnesium, a mineral that is well known for its anti-inflammatory properties. They are also rich in flavonoids, an antioxidant known to reduce inflammation.
9. Dates May Reduce the Effects of Alcohol
Dates have a high concentration of fructose, which may speed the metabolism of alcohol. This may help if you are trying to clear your head after a drink or two or to help bring you hangover relief the next day. It is good to keep some dates on hand for when you have a little too much to drink.
10. Dates Can Improve Skin
The benefits of date fruit include many things that will help you feel better, but they can also help you look better. Dates are high in vitamins C and D. These can both help to keep your skin smooth and elastic.
And They Are Delicious Too
The great thing about dates is that, in addition to having several health benefits, they are also a delicious snack. Keep some in your refrigerator and reach for a healthy snack instead of another dose of junk food.
Dates are most delicious by themselves either fresh or dried. They can be added to cereal or oatmeal to add an extra health kick. You can also cook with dates, using date syrup instead of sugar and include dried dates in bread, cakes, and cookies.
As research continues on dates and the many vitamins and minerals they contain even more health benefits may be discovered. In the meantime, you can take advantage of the benefits we know about and those yet undiscovered by adding dates to your diet today. Save time and buy dates online to ensure you can try various brands of dates before buying larger quantities of dates.
Jesus is a health blog author who has been writing about nutrition, fitness and healthy living for over 10 years. He also loves to run, hike and bike with her wife.
