Last updated on September 4th, 2018 at 09:32 am
Dates fruit are a very delicious, nutritious and sweet. It contains various types of essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrate, protein, and fiber. Naturally, there are a number of health benefits of eating dates fruit. Apart from being healthy and nutritious, dates are known for its healing powers and its goods for various health issues including constipation, skin, bone, nervous system, muscles development and overall health and wellbeing.
Dates have the history of over a thousand years. It was originated from Iraq, but today, dates are consumed around the world. Apart from being delicious in taste, dates fruits are highly beneficial for health. There are over 30 varieties of dates available across the world, but depending on the content of glucose, fructose and sucrose, it’s graded.
Dates ripen in several stages e.g. unripe, crunchy, semi ripe and ripe. Ripe and sun dried dates are used most commonly. Ripe or dry dates can be eaten directly, or it can be used in cooking and in garnishing sweets and desserts.
Apart from eating dates for its nutrients and health benefits, date palm tree are used for making palm wine. Palm wine (also called as Toddy) is also used for making jaggery and palm syrup in India, Bangladesh and other neighboring countries.
Surprising health benefits of eating dates fruit
The sweet and delicious dates are used worldwide in various types of cooking. And apart from its delicious taste, it is widely used for its nutrients and mineral contents. Dates are most commonly available in India and in today’s post we are going to talk about various health benefits of eating dates fruit, and why it’s worth including in your diet.
Before getting in to the health benefits of eating dates fruit; let’s take a look at the nutritional values of per 100 grams serving of date fruit;
| Energy: 282 kcal | Calcium: 39 mg |
| Sugar: 63.35 gm | Magnesium: 42 mg |
| Carbohydrate: 75.03 gm | Potassium: 656 mg |
| Dietary fiber: 8 gm | Phosphorus: 62 mg |
| Protein: 2.45 gm | Sodium 2 mg |
And apart from the nutrients mentioned above, it contains 20.53 gm of water as well.
And here’re the surprising health benefits of eating dates fruit.
Heart healthy
Date fruit have high contents for potassium and fiber, which is considered to reduce the risk of heart related diseases and stroke. Consuming dates every day can lower the risk of stroke and other issues related to heart. Dates are known to be good in lowering LDL cholesterol level. And hence, you should be eating dates everyday, or thrice a week.
Good for bones
A number of minerals contents of dates make it a super healthy fruit for boon development and for strengthening of bones. Date fruits are good source of calcium which is essential for healthy bone development and strength. As we grow older, our bones may get weaken. Instead of taking calcium pills, eating dates fruits is a better solution. Start eating dates fruits for its highly beneficial for your bones.
Helps in constipation
Dates are great source of soluble dietary fiber which regulates bowel movement and cleanse the gastrointestinal system. Dates are also considered as a laxative food and hence it’s great for those who are suffering from constipation or digestive issue. Overnight soaked dates can be eaten next morning, to get maximum benefits in constipation. Eating dates fruits for a few weeks can help you get rid of constipation related issues.
Promotes digestion
Dates also contain nicotine, which is considered to be great in curing intestinal disorders. It also contains dietary fiber and amino acids which stimulate the digestion of food. Eating date fruits continuously is very beneficial for proper digestion and absorption of food.
Good for heart and blood pressure
Due to rich content of fiber, dates also promote good heart health. Date fruits are good source of various types of minerals including magnesium and potassium. Magnesium is considered to be good in lowering blood pressure. Potassium is another mineral that promotes healthy heart and helps regulate blood pressure.
Keeps you energized
Feeling sluggish and low on energy is very common, as our day progresses. If you feel the same sluggishness, may be you need to look at what you eat as afternoon snack. Try eating date fruits because it contains lots of energy and natural sugar in the form of glucose, fructose and sucrose. Eating date fruits as afternoon snacks can quickly energize you and make you ready to take on the challenges of the rest of the day.
Helps gain weight
If you are underweight and want to put on some weight, then dates are probably the go to fruit for you. Soak a few date fruits in a glass of hot milk. Eat the dates and drink the milk to put on some weight. And the best thing about date fruits is that it also helps you maintain your weight, if you are overweight and for that, you have to eat it with cucumber, not with hot milk.
Helps get rid of hangover
Because of high content of glucose, date fruits are considered to be a good cure for hangover. Eating a few overnight soaked date fruits can help you to get rid of party hangover. So next time if you feel sluggish after partying, try eating some date fruit to cure hangover.
Powerhouse of essential nutrients
Date palm is also called as staple food, because it has most of the nutrients and vitamins like carbohydrate, fat, protein, minerals and energy which is required for a healthy body. Eating a few date fruits everyday as a snack in the evening or eating it at the time of breakfast can be really beneficial for your health and well being.
Summary
Date fruits are good source of vitamins and nutrients. Apart from being delicious and sweet, date offers plenty of health benefits, such as;
- Good for bone strengthening and development
- Good for heart, blood pressure and LDL cholesterol
- Good for digestion and constipation
- Helps put on weight and maintain weight
- Helps cure hangover
- And provide a number of nutrients, minerals and dietary fiber
Soak a handful of dates overnight and eat it in the morning, or include dates in your evening snacks. Dates can also be used in cooking and for garnishing sweets and desserts.
Consider eating dates fruits and include dates in your diet, because it has many health benefits, it is available widely and it tastes just delicious.
