Health Benefits of Dates

It is probably impossible to discuss all the health benefits of dates in this article. However, I tried to gather all the information that I can and summarize them.

Dates are fruits that come from date palm. This can be consumed in its fresh form; it can also be dried and processed as an ingredient to different pastries. This fruit is abundant in the Middle East and some parts of Africa. Aside from having a nice taste, dates have also many health benefits.

Here are some of the health benefits of dates:

Rich in fiber

If you’re suffering from constipation, you should definitely eat dates. This fruit is one of the richest sources of fiber you’ll find anywhere in the world. It’s so rich in fiber that it’s sometimes called a “laxative fruit”. It also contains essential amino acids.

Good for the cardiovascular and nervous systems

One of the best but probably lesser known health benefits of dates is the fact that it has a high potassium content. This means that it can keep your heart healthy. Aside from that, it also has a low sodium content which makes it friendly for your arteries. It’s a recommended fruit to eat for people with high blood pressure.

Good for anemia

If you’re trying to battle anemia, you would be glad to know that one of the health benefits of dates is its high iron content. You might not be able to tell this at first because the fruit is so sweet, but it’s a good source of iron and it doesn’t taste bad. Usually, fruits and vegetables which are rich in iron don’t taste so good. For example, the bitter gourd lives up to its name because it’s bitter. Dates are sweet but they can provide just as much iron.

Good for gaining weight

While dates are definitely not known as slimming agents, they’re good for people who want to gain weight. This is because of the high sugar content in the fruit. The sugars are natural, though, so there’s no reason for healthy individuals to worry about their sugar intake when they eat dates as long as they eat the fruit moderately. They’re good fruits to eat if you need an energy boost. Weight gain and energy boosting properties are only some of the greatest health benefits of dates.

Highly nutritious

Aside from fibers and sugars, dates are also rich sources of iron, potassium, Vitamin A1, B1, B2, B3, B5 and Vitamin C. Eating this fruit is like munching on a dessert that’s filled with nutrients. These nutrients can help your body have a stronger immune system.

Can cure abdominal cancer

According to a traditional medicine, dates help cure abdominal cancer. This could be due to a number of reasons, including the acid neutralizing properties of the fruit. Of course, there’s no scientific proof of this claim, yet, although the fruit could provide some form for relief to people with highly acidic stomachs.

You still need to consult your physician first if you’re thinking of using dates as a natural remedy for any abdominal ailment. It has no known side effects, which is good for those who love the taste of dates and would gladly eat it with or without its health benefits. However, you should just watch out for the high sugar content because even naturally occurring sugars could be bad for you if you are diabetic.