Dates are the fruit of the date palm tree and are grown primarily in dry, arid regions, such as the Middle East and parts of California. Though dates are often used as an ingredient in sweets and other recipes, they offer several nutritional benefits when eaten fresh and pitted.
The benefits of dates include relief from constipation, intestinal disorders, heart problems, anemia, sexual dysfunction, diarrhea, abdominal cancer, and many other conditions. Dates are good for gaining weight also. Dates are rich in several vitamins, minerals and fiber too. These delicious fruits contain oil, calcium, sulfur, iron, potassium, phosphorous, manganese, copper and magnesium which are all beneficial for health. Some health specialists have said that eating one day per day is necessary for a balanced and healthy diet, according to organicfacts.net.
Health benefits of dates
Anti-Inflammatory
Dates are rich in magnesium - a mineral known for its anti-inflammatory benefits. Based on magnesium's anti-inflammatory properties and the findings of this study, magnesium can effectively reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, and other inflammation-related health ailments, according to organicfacts.net.
Increase Fiber Intake
Dates are loaded with fiber. According to the USDA National Nutrient Database, just one pitted date contains 1.6 g of fiber, or 6 percent of the recommended daily intake. Fiber is known for its ability to help lower cholesterol and fight and prevent obesity, heart disease and colorectal cancer. The November 2008 issue of "Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition" reports that the fiber in dates is primarily insoluble fiber, which binds to fat and cholesterol and carries it out of the body.
Improves Overall Health
Dry dates are considered to be a gold mine of vitamins. They contain a wide range of vitamins including Vitamin A, C, E, K, B2, B6, niacin and thiamin. These vitamins are vital for our health and wellness. Therefore, consuming dry dates is beneficial for improving our overall health.
Constipation
Dates are often categorized as a laxative food. This is why dates are so frequently eaten by people suffering from constipation. Dates have high levels of soluble fiber, which is essential in promoting healthy bowel movements and the comfortable passage of food through the intestinal tract, which can relieve symptoms of constipation.
Weight Gain
Dates should be included as a part of a healthy diet. They consist of sugar, proteins and many essential vitamins. One kilogram of dates contains almost 3,000 calories, and the calories in dates are sufficient to meet the daily requirements for a human body.
Boosting Brain Health
Some studies, such as one found in JAMA Internal Medicine, found that sufficient vitamin B6 levels are associated with improved brain performance and better test scores.
Strengthen Bones
Dates strengthen your bones and keep them healthy because they contain selenium, manganese, copper and magnesium.
Healthy Heart
Dates are quite helpful in keeping your heart healthy. When they are soaked for the night, crushed in the morning and then consumed, they have been shown to have a positive effect on weak hearts. Dates are also a rich source of potassium, which studies have shown to reduce the risk of stroke and other heart related diseases. Furthermore, they are suggested as a healthy and delicious way to reduce the levels of LDL cholesterol in the body, which is a major contributing factor heart attacks, heart disease, and stroke. Therefore, when taken twice a week, dates can seriously improve the overall health of the heart.
A Healthy Pregnancy and Delivery
Further adding to the health benefits of dates, one study performed by researchers at the University of Science and Technology set out to discover how the date fruit impacted labor parameters and delivery outcomes. After studying 69 women for a year and 1 month, the researchers found that "the consumption of date fruit in the last 4 weeks before labour significantly reduced the need for induction and augmentation of labour, and produced a more favourable, but non-significant, delivery outcome. The results warrant a randomised controlled trial."
Relief from Intoxication
Dates are commonly used as a remedy to cure alcoholic intoxication. You can soak the dates overnight and have the next day toprevent from severe hangovers.