10 Health Benefits of adding Dates to your daily diet
It is that time of the year again! It is the holy month of Ramazan, and the holy dates are back in demand again! It is the season of Dates, and they are everywhere now.
With more than 3,000 different varieties of date fruit available in the market, Dates are one of the most versatile crops to be cultivated. Native to the Middle Eastern region, and parts of North Africa, the Dates are among the earliest crops cultivated by humans.
Depending upon the different levels of ripeness, dates range from yellow and brown to red and black. The dried dates are wrinkle skinned, and then there is the pulpy fresh harvest of the fruit. Although there are more than 3,000 types of dates available, the most common varieties are the Medjool, Ajwa, Safawi, and Khalas.
Rich in nutrients, dates are not only a staple in the Middle East, but are also consumed across the world as a healthy dry fruit. Dates are naturally sweet and hence can be used as an alternative to sugar. They are some of the healthiest superfoods you should be adding to your daily diet, here is why!
- Improves the quality of your blood
Dates are an excellent source of vitamins like Vitamin B, B6, B12, and minerals such as manganese, potassium, iron, and fibre which are essential for your immune system. The Iron and Zinc present in the dates is essential for the haemoglobin count and the Vitamin K is essential for regulating platelets and plays a vital role in blood clotting. Overall, Dates are essential to purify your blood and regulate and maintain the overall wellness of your bloodstream. A few dates each day helps keep a check on your overall well-being.
- Reduces Bad Cholesterol
Known for purifying your blood cells, Dates are also rich in antioxidants that fight the fat cells in your bloodstream, in turn reducing the fat in your blood. Fibrous wet dates are also known to keep a check on your bad cholesterol. Studies suggest that nutrient-rich compounds like polyphenols present in dates may help to decrease LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, without affecting your blood sugar levels. By fighting the bad cholesterol and the fatty cells in the blood, Dates are also indirectly helpful in maintaining a young and healthy heart. Consuming a couple of Dates before your physical exercise ensures that your energy levels are retained and your mood remains uplifted.
- Good for your Heart
Fresh dates are rich in potassium, and low in sodium, which is an excellent naturally found food that helps regulate your blood pressure. The antioxidants present in the Dates prevent cell damage from harmful free radicals as well. Low blood pressure, low bad cholesterol and a regulated circulatory system ensure that your heart is in a healthy condition. The maintenance of your heart health depends on your diet and physical fitness. Adding Dates to your daily routine takes care of the diet part of it. Soak Dates in water for some time and consume 3-4 Dates for a healthy and young heart.
- Great for your Gut
Fibre-rich food has multiple health benefits including stabilizing your sugar level, decreasing the risk of heart disease, and even reducing the risk of certain cancer. It is also a well-accepted fact that fibrous food is always good for your gut health, and Dates are some of the most fibre-rich dry fruits you can get your hands on. Consuming Dates every day increases good gut bacteria, and promotes smooth bowel movements, therefore is good for constipation and other gut-related problems. Dates are a detoxifying superfood which when consumed in controlled numbers, not only increases bowel movements and regulates your gut health and is also helpful in reducing the risk of Colon Cancer.
- Healthy and Radiant skin
Studies have proven that Dates are beneficial in detoxing your body and purifying the blood. Rich in Vitamins A, B, C and D, Dates are not only great for your internal health but are good for your skin and hair health as well. As it purifies your blood and detoxifies the internal organs, you can find your internal glow coming back. Consuming dates regularly ensures reduced pigmentation, reduced acne, moisturized skin, and younger-looking radiant skin. Studies also suggest that these may help promote skin elasticity and reduce stretch marks. Dates may also prove helpful in reducing skin infections that lead to itching or rashes. For best results, add dates to your daily diet.
- Helps maintain healthy hair
Other than consuming Dates, making hair packed with Dates or rinsing off your hair with Date soaked water is believed to do wonders for your hair follicles, and scalp health. Rich in vitamins, Dates help strengthen your hair follicles and nourish your dry scalp and oily hair. Use Dates as a base ingredient in creating hair packs, or extract Dates oil for your scalp. Apply the oil, and the hair mask for some time before washing it off with Dates soaked water for best results. Other than strengthening your hair, and adding shine externally, consuming dates promotes healthy blood circulation which in turn ensures stronger roots and stronger hair from within. Dates are indeed the most magical superfoods out there.
- Beneficial for pregnant women
The innumerable nutrients in dates aren’t just a sweet treat to your taste buds but also take care of your overall nutrient requirements. Dates are known to improve your heart health and protect your cells from free-radical damage. It is also believed to help pregnant women with labour pains during childbirth, hence avoiding any major complications. Multiple studies have been conducted at different stages of pregnancy, labour and childbirth. Even studies have proven that rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, the fatty acids in dates aid in producing prostaglandins that speed up the delivery process by increasing contractions and ripening the cervix. So, if you are someone who is expecting soon, or if you know someone who is, then, get yourself a fresh pack of Sublime Dates today!
- Improves Brain functionality
Munching on a handful of Dates each day will not only help your sweet tooth but also helps your brain functionality. Dates are a good source of antioxidants that fight against free radicals and protect brain cells from damage. A special compound called phenolic present in dates is said to be instrumental in fighting neurodegenerative diseases that are common age-related problems. Hence it can be said that Dates may also prove to be helpful in keeping age-related memory problems that lead to diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Parkinson’s among other brain-related diseases. Consuming 3-4 dates each day also helps improve your memory which is why, infants and children are fed the paste of Dates soaked in water.
- Helps reduce chronic inflammation
Inflammation in your body is a reaction to injury, trauma or infection inside the body. Chronic inflammation can be triggered by any factor and is an indication of poor health, or it could give rise to worse health conditions. A regular healthy diet can help reduce chronic inflammation. Dates are low in glycemic index and high in carbohydrates. It is why a few dates are sufficient to keep you full for a longer time period. The minerals present in the dates when consumed regularly, help in boosting your immunity. Dates are also rich in flavonoids that help reduce oxidative stress, which in turn reduces stress on tissues and helps repair cell damage. Consuming Dates regularly is therefore important to maintain your overall health.
- Manage your weight with dates
While there have not been many studies to prove the impact of Dates on your weight, dietitians do advise consuming 3-4 dates in a day to manage your weight. Consuming couple of dates every day on an empty stomach will keep you full for a longer time. Rich and fibrous, Dates are a great source of energy all through the day, and hence it is definitely advised by dietitians for your weight loss journey. However, dates when consumed in moderation are beneficial for weight loss. Conversely, if you are looking to gain weight also, Dates are a good catalyst. Consuming Dates with milk is considered good for muscle gain and helps increase weight in a healthy and nutritious manner.
While Monsoons are considered the best season to consume Dates, adding them to your daily diet, all around the year is also an excellent dietary decision. Start your day with five to six dates on an empty stomach to cleanse your vital organs, kill intestinal worms, and boost your energy levels.
For a healthy lifestyle, you know that the food that you consume is actually the most important thing. Adding Dates to your daily diet is another step taken towards a healthier lifestyle. Get your personal pack of fresh, authentic and premium quality Dates, from our stores at The Courtyard by Sublime, or The Collection, UB City.