Dates can provide some awesome nutrients and are a great sugar substitute. They contain high amounts of potassium, fiber, magnesium and vitamin B6. They are the fruit of the date palm and are a sweet and delectable treat often referred to as nature’s candy. They are great for your health as well as delicious, so there’s no need to feel guilty if you use them to satisfy your sweet tooth. They are filled with the vital nutrients and vitamins you need to lower cholesterol, lower your blood pressure, take care of your heart, and run the body. Try snacking on them or baking with them and you’ll soon be reaping the benefits.
Dates and Stroke
Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the US, and roughly 800,000 people have a stroke, and about 130,000 die from a stroke each year. So you’ll be glad to hear that the sweet little date is made to help combat this condition coming with 696 milligrams of potassium (20 percent of recommended daily intake) per 100 grams.
Cholesterol Reduction
Dates may also help reduce cholesterol levels by increasing your fiber intake. Dates contain about 6.7 grams of fiber per 100-gram serving and roughly 27 percent of recommended daily intake. Dates are high in a fiber called beta-glucan, which can affect cholesterol in a number of ways.
Beta-glucan dissolves in fluid to form a sticky substance that adheres to the cholesterol in food and prevents it from being absorbed. Second, beta-glucans bind to stomach bile acids that also contain cholesterol and causes you to excrete them as waste. As a result, your body must take cholesterol from your bloodstream to create more bile, this, in turn, lowers your cholesterol levels.
Dates and blood pressure
According to Dr. Frank M. Sacks and Dr. Hanna Campos in a Harvard Health Publication, adding dried fruits to your diet such as dates, prunes, and raisins can help lead to a more balanced diet that promotes heart health and lower blood pressure.
Diarrhea and constipation
Another great benefit of dates is that they treat both diarrhea and constipation. Dates are high in fiber. It’s this fiber that allows your bowels to move along and at the same time gives bulk to bowel movements. So if you’re having a problem with either of these conditions, dates are an effective way to either get things moving or to add mass.
High in iron
Dates already offer so much, but they are also high in iron. Offering 0.9 milligrams of iron per 100 grams, which is 11 percent of the recommended daily intake. So if you suffer from anemia or are low in iron, eating a few dates is a great way to help you get back up to normal levels.
Important:
Always remove the pit of a Medjool date before consumption to avoid a choking hazard!