Eating healthy food in balance can do wonders for you. One such food is dates. Dates word in Hindi is khajoor, and they come from the Arecaceae family. They have been a staple food in the Middle East for thousands of years.

Dates grow in small clusters on date palm trees. Their sweet taste gives them a special place in desserts. Dates are different sizes and colors, from dark brown to bright yellow to bright red.

You can easily differentiate between dried and fresh dates by looking at them. Dried dates are more rigid and wrinkly than fresh ones. Dates are rich in essential nutrients and have many health benefits.

Fiber

Fiber promotes overall health. It contributes to smooth bowel movements. This is why laxatives contain fiber. With around 7 g of fiber per 100 g serving, dates can contribute well to daily fiber intake.

In a study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, 21 people who consumed seven dates a day for 21 days experienced a significant increase in bowel movements and stool frequency. ¹https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26428278/ The fiber in dates may also prevent a rise in blood sugar levels after eating. ²https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3257631/ Fiber is known for giving a feeling of fullness.

Related Article: What Is Fiber? Health Benefits, Food Sources And Daily Requirements

Antioxidant Properties

Antioxidants can deactivate free radicals, unstable molecules the body produces in reaction to environmental and other factors. Free radicals cause cell damage and are linked to several diseases.

Dates include critical antioxidants such as flavonoids, phenolic acid, and carotenoids, known for activities that prevent disease. These antioxidant groups may reduce the risk of diabetes, inflammation, Alzheimer’s disease, and certain cancers. ³https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3992385/, ⁴https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28641164/, ⁵https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25863633/ They may also promote heart health and reduce the risk of eye-related disorders. ⁶https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3992385/

May Improve Bone Health

For optimum bone health, the minerals manganese, copper, and magnesium are essential. Also, minerals like these may prevent conditions such as osteoporosis and osteopenia. Dates contain these minerals in rich amounts. ⁷https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5318168/

May Promote Brain Health

Studies suggest that eating dates may protect against inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain. These conditions can lead to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. ⁸https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4994443/ Furthermore, in one animal study, experts found that intake of dates may have beneficial effects on cognition and locomotor activities. ⁹https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4484046/

Potassium Benefits of Dates

Dates are high in potassium, one of the most crucial minerals in the body. Potassium helps manage fluid balance, nerve signals, and muscle contractions. ¹⁰https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1472029909002215, ¹¹https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4131448/ Moreover, it plays a critical role in lowering blood pressure and preventing stroke and kidney stones. ¹²https://www.ahajournals.org/content/hypertensionaha/17/1_Suppl/I155.full.pdf, ¹³https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23558164/, ¹⁴https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0085253815503475

There is rarely an allergic reaction to dates. However, if symptoms like tingling, itchiness, or swelling around your mouth or tongue happen, stop eating dates immediately.

Remember, the ideas in this article are not a substitution for medical advice. If you have health concerns, it’s best to talk to your doctor before adding any food to your diet.

Dates can be included in both weight loss and weight gain diets. Generally, a healthy person can eat 4- 6 dates a day. Of course, you can eat more according to your needs.

What I mean here is if you focus on losing weight, have them in moderation, as dates are a high-calorie food. Try to eat less than your maintenance calories and fit the number of dates you eat into your diet accordingly. You can easily calculate your calorie needs based on your goals. ¹⁵https://fabulousbody.com/free-tdee-calculator-%E2%80%8B-how-to-calculate-tdee

And if you want to gain weight, dates can really work for you. Just remember, to gain weight, your daily calorie consumption should be more than your maintenance calories.

Related Article: TDEE Definition: Total Daily Energy Expenditure

Adding dates to your diet is very easy. Here are a few ways to eat them.

-Eat them raw. Dates make an excellent snack.

-Blend dates with nuts, seeds, or oats.

-Remove the seeds and grind them into smoothies for a delightfully sweet taste.

-Dice and mix them in your oatmeal or yogurt.

-Use date syrup in place of refined sugar.

-Chop and add them to a sandwich.

Are Dates Good For Health?

Of course. High in minerals, vitamins, fiber, and essential antioxidants, dates offer many potential health benefits, such as digestive support, bone health, brain health, and the prevention of several chronic diseases.

To incorporate dates into your diet, remember to calculate your TDEE to ensure you are eating a quantity suitable for your weight goal. Dates are also easy to carry and can be a go-to pocket snack, helping you avoid junk.

As we discussed, dates can be useful for weight gain and weight loss warriors. Nonetheless, in my view, dates give an additional advantage to weight gainers due to their high-calorie content. So, my friends, go nuts with dates!

What do you think of this article? Have any questions? Let me know in the comments below!