Date fruit is a reddish-brown oval-shaped staple food that originates from the Middle East.
It is small and sweet, growing in clusters on the date palm tree.
Whether eaten dry or wet, dates provide the body with several benefits due to their nutritional components.
- Rich in antioxidants
Date fruit contains antioxidants that also have anti-inflammatory effects.
Three of the most potent antioxidants in dates are flavonoids, carotenoids, and phenolic acid.
Antioxidants protect your cells from free radicals.
Free radicals are unstable molecules that may cause harmful reactions in your body and lead to disease.
Several studies have however stated that flavonoids contained in date can help reduce the risk of diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.
Carotenoids and Phenolic acid, on the other hand, have been proven to be effective in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.
- Improves brain health
The consumption of dates helps improve brain function and thinking skills.
The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory potential in dates have been proven to be able to prevent plaques from forming in the brain.
A study found dates to be helpful in lowering inflammatory markers, such as interleukin 6 (IL-6), in the brain.
However, high levels of IL-6 are associated with a higher risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease.
So to improve your brain function and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative disease, you should add dates to your diet.
- Promotes natural labour
Dates are filled with nutritional components that are beneficial to pregnant women.
When consumed during the last few weeks and f pregnancy, dates may promote and ease natural labour.
Dates contain tannins, which are compounds that have been shown to help facilitate contractions, lower the need for induced labour, and reduce labour time.
They are also a good source of natural sugar and calories, which are necessary to maintain energy levels during labour.
- Aids digestion
Dates are high in fibre which is beneficial to one’s overall health, particularly the digestive system.
Fruit fibre has been proven to be effective in preventing constipation and promoting regular bowel movements by contributing to the formation of stool.
A study stated that 21 people who consumed 7 dates per day for 21 days experienced improvements in stool frequency and had a significant increase in bowel movements compared to when they didn’t.
- Regulates blood sugar
The fibre in dates is beneficial in regulating blood sugar.
Fibre slows digestion and helps prevent blood sugar levels from spiking too high.
The date fruit also has a low glycemic index.
The glycemic index (GI) is a way of measuring the effect of carbs on your blood sugar levels.
Dates’ low GI means they’re less likely to spike your blood sugar levels.
So dates have been proven to be a good choice for people with diabetes.
- Improves the skin
Date fruits are an excellent source of vitamin C and D which helps keep the skin smooth and maintain its elasticity.
A study also states that date creams promote skin moisture content, elasticity, and brightness.
- Serves as a natural sweetener
A natural type of sugar can be found in dates called fructose.
The fructose in dates makes it an easy and healthy alternative to white sugar in one’s diet. The nutrients and antioxidants in date also make it very healthy.
In order to have a healthy diet, you can use date paste/syrup rather than white sugar.
- Strengthens the bone
Dates contain several minerals, which include potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
So all of these minerals have been proven to be able to strengthen bones and also prevent bone-related diseases like osteoporosis.
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