10+ Proven Health Benefits Of Dates [Qurma]

Rich in various nutrients, fiber, and antioxidants, dates are popular throughout the world and are consumed as a dried fruit.

A 2014 review conducted by researchers at the Qassim University, Saudi Arabia and Suez Canal University, Egypt states that dates are beneficial in treating various conditions due to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-tumor properties.

What are Dates ?
Dates are sweet fruits of date palm tree scientifically known as Phoenix dactylifera.

They are one of the best versatile foods that can regulate the digestive process and have gained popularity in recent times.

Date palm trees are cultivated all over the world especially across tropical regions.

You can also use date molasses, a natural sweetener made from date syrup, in your smoothies or desserts in place of sugar.

The massive health benefits associated with dates have made them one of the best ingredients for muscle development, brain health, regularity, and more.

Dates Nutrition

According to USDA, dates are a good source of energy, fiber, sugar, and various vitamins and minerals.

Essential minerals such as calcium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, magnesium, sulfur, and zinc can be found in them.

Apart from the above-mentioned nutrients, they also contain important vitamins such as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin A, and vitamin K.

A 2008 review published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition journal by Cornell researchers Chang Yong Lee and Mohamed Ali Al-Farsi suggests that over 15% of the daily requirement of essential minerals such as copper, potassium, magnesium, and selenium can be fulfilled by consuming 100 grams, or about 4 pitted dates per day.

Health Benefits

Let us look at some of the key benefits of dates in detail below.

Good Source of Energy
Dates are high in natural sugars like glucose, fructose, and sucrose.

The high energy present in them can be attributed to this high sugar content.

Many people around the world eat natural low-fat dates for a quick afternoon snack when they are feeling lethargic or sluggish to help bump up energy levels fast.

Often when you exercise in a gym, outside or even on a stretching machine at home, you feel exhausted.

A study published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, suggests that dates rich in essential nutrients may help you regain your energy immediately.

Dates Rich in Fiber May Help Relieve Constipation
n traditional Tunisian medicine, dates are used for treating constipation.

According to research on the effects of dietary fiber, the foods that are rich in fiber are essential for promoting healthy bowel movements and ensuring the comfortable passage of food through the intestinal tract.

A 2005 study also suggests that these dried fruits have high levels of dietary fiber and insoluble fiber, in particular.

The insoluble fiber found in dates promotes healthy digestion by bulking up the stool and may also aid in relieving the symptoms of constipation.

How to use: Start by soaking dates in water overnight to help them soften up. Next, add soaked dates and a bit of soaking liquid to a food processor and blend to make a thick, fiber-rich date paste.

Relief from Intestinal Disorders

Research suggests dates contain insoluble and soluble fibers, as well as many beneficial amino acids which can stimulate the digestion of food and ensure quick passage through the gastrointestinal tract.

According to a review published in the Journal of Nutrition Reviews, the fiber may also aid in the treatment of conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), diverticulitis and hemorrhoids.

Give Relief from Anemia
Dates are a good source of many nutrients, including iron. A deficiency of iron can contribute to anemia, a condition characterized by fatigue, dizziness, brittle nails and shortness of breath.

Fortunately, increasing your intake of iron-rich foods such as dates could help provide relief from anemia symptoms. However, there is currently a lack of research evaluating their direct role in the treatment of anemia.

Prevent Heart Diseases

A study by Waseem Rock et al. concluded that consuming dates was effective at reducing triglyceride levels and decreasing oxidative stress, both of which are risk factors for heart disease and atherogenesis, which is the build-up of fatty plaque in the arteries.

These dried fruits are rich in antioxidants, which may help prevent atherogenesis and aid in reducing the risk of stroke.

They are also high in various phytochemicals which may also help protect against heart disease.

Furthermore, they are a rich source of potassium, which studies have shown to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke as well as other heart-related diseases.

Treat Sexual Dysfunction

In 2006, an animal study revealed the effects of date palm pollen and its oil on sexual functioning, reporting that the high levels of estradiol and flavonoid components in dates are helping increase sperm count and motility. [22] Another study conducted in India states that date palm pollen has been used to treat male infertility in traditional medicine.

Therefore, if you are looking for an easy way to boost libido and sexual function, you may consider consuming organic dates, thanks to their aphrodisiac like properties.