I don’t know how familiar you are with dates, but they are both delicious and nutritious. Dates are loaded with a variety of antioxidants and nutrients your body needs and have been around since biblical times. Dates are grown on the date palm tree, which are prevalent in tropical areas. Dates are popular around the world and most often consumed dried. Like bananas and apricots, dates are loaded with fiber, so they help aid in the digestion process. Some nutrients found in dates include potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, vitamin B6, niacin and more. They also are a good source iron, which is needed for overall well-being. Dates have numerous other health benefits, as well.
Health Benefits Of Dates
Helps Boost Energy
Dates are sweeter than many other types of fruit you might be used to eating. They contain plenty of natural sugars including glucose, fructose and sucrose, which your body processes easy into energy. Dates are convenient to eat and make a good snack to munch on after a workout or walk. They also are great if you need an afternoon pick me up or want a boost of energy to get your day going. Instead of reaching for that power bar, try eating 2 to 3 dates instead.
Good For Your Gut
Dates are rich in fiber, which helps aid in the digestion process. The insoluble fiber found in dates can also help relieve stomach cramps, diarrhea and constipation problems. Dates are also loaded with antioxidants and polyphenals, which help fight disease and foster good bacteria in the gut, which is important for your overall well-being.
Helps Prevent Iron Deficiency
Dates are a good source of iron, so help in the prevention of iron deficiency and treatment of iron deficiency anemia. Iron is needed for blood oxygenation, energy, immunity, brain functioning and more. Your body does not produce iron on its own. It is obtained from the foods that you eat, which is why it is important to include plenty of iron-rich foods in your diet.
Good For Brain Health:
Eating dates may help promote brain health. That’s because dates contain antioxidants, fiber and polyphenols, all of which help reduce inflammation. Dates also protect against oxidative stress, which is harmful to the brain. Studies show that reducing inflammation in the brain may help with diseases such as Alzheimers, Parkinson’s and dementia.
How To Use Dates?
Dates are convenient to eat and can be purchased at many grocery stores or online. They can be eaten alone, chopped up for salads, used in baking and desserts or prepared as a spread for fruit, bread or crackers. You can also substitute dates for sugar by making a date paste by mixing dates with almond milk or other nut milk, sea salt and vanilla in a blender. You can replace sugar with equal parts date paste. If you are interested, you may want to look on Pinterest for a recipe.
Thanks for reading!
Barb
P. S. If you are interested in reading more about healthful eating and living a healthy lifestyle, you might want to check out my book, Wholey Cow A Simple Guide To Eating And Living, which is available on Amazon. Click here for a FREE Chapter.
Source:
¹DavidWolfe.com. “Eat 3 Dates Daily and These 5 Things Will Happen to Your Body!” DavidWolfe.com, 24 Jan. 2019, www.davidwolfe.com/eat-3-dates-daily-5-things-your-body/.
2“Price, Annie. “Medjool Dates: The Healthiest Natural Sweetener?” Dr. Axe, 30 Oct. 2015, draxe.com/medjool-dates/.
3https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-dates#section2
