The fruit of the desert or dates have been one of the oldest cultivated fruits for thousands of years. Dates on a date is a common phrase used to cherish mood in any nervous moment. To talk in graphs, three Medjool dates provide up to 19 per cent of your daily fibre needs and 15 percent of your daily potassium. During winter, adding dates acts wonders as it helps to boost health naturally. This is just one of the benefits. Indeed, there are more benefits.
Let us dive into eight proven health benefits of dates for a healthy winter.
1. Rich in Antioxidants
Dates are believed to be highly rich in antioxidants that help to safeguard your cells from any possible damage happening due to free radicals. Even in Ayurveda, its importance is mentioned. History indicates that earlier kings consumed it while they were at war or before their wrestling matches. To add more to it, they have polyphenols in it to control inflammation.
2. Support Heart Health
Dates also help to improve your heart health. Research has shown that dates can help lower cholesterol and LDL (bad cholesterol). It increases the HDL (high cholesterol) and has potassium and low sodium in it. It also helps maintain your blood pressure healthy and controls the possibility of heart disease and stroke.
3. Help Manage Blood Sugar
Dates have a low glycemic index, although it has a natural sweetness. This does not lead to a sudden, unwanted rise in blood sugar levels and hence, people take it as a safe and healthy option for snacks or people with diabetes. People with diabetes experienced improvements in their cholesterol levels without any negative effects after consuming dates for 16 weeks.
4. Improve Digestive Health
Dates are also known for their high-fibre content. If tested, 5 grams of fibre can be found on three dates. Irregular bowel movements is a challenge at any age but consuming dates can save you. Besides a smooth bowel movement, it also checks your digestive system is healthy.
5. May Ease Natural Labour
Dates are also a great remedy for labour pain for pregnant women who are in their last month of pregnancy. A meta-analysis of eight studies found that it improves cervical readiness and reduces the duration of active labour. It helps stimulate oxytocin receptors due to the compounds it contains. This helps with labour contractions and reduces the time of active labour.
6. Boost Brain Health
Dates are good for brain health as they have antioxidants and nutrients. Eating dates are really healthy. Your memory improves, and it also controls anxiety, as suggested by research. It reduces anxiety and the chances of Alzheimer's because of its ability to reduce harmful proteins in the brain.
7. Strengthen the Immune System
As discussed above, dates help in strengthening the immune system. The date has an immune modulatory effect that helps promote natural defence in the body. It has all the possible nutrients mandatory needed to maintain a healthy immune system, including copper, magnesium, selenium, vitamins, and more. This will help you fight against winter illness.
8. Naturally Sweet and Nutritious
Replace sugar with dates due to their natural sweetening taste. Even doctors advise to take dates to control sugar cravings. They have no added sugar but are packed with all essential vitamins for healthy you, like B1, B2, B3, B5, and C.
To Sum Up
Adding dates to your winter diet to boost your nutrition for better health is very easy. It helps protect your heart with a strong immune system during the winter. Try them as a snack, use them in your smoothie for breakfast, or use them simply as a natural sweetener. You will get wonderful flavour that will support the healthy you.
