Impressive Health Benefits Of Dates

1. Help Relieve Constipation

Dates are used traditionally in many parts of the world as a natural laxative to relive occasional constipation. Though they can be consumed as is, it is believed that by soaking them overnight and reducing the consistency to that of a sticky syrup provides greater benefit (although this is yet to be proven).

Regardless of how you choose to consume them, their use as natural laxatives is likely due to their high levels of soluble fiber, which absorb water as it transits through the intestinal tract. When it eventually enters the colon, the remnants of this fiber hydrate hardened feces and allow easy expulsion.

2. Provide A Rapid Energy Source

Dates are comprised of a large proportion of simple sugars, being mainly in the form of glucose and fructose, which are used heavily for energy by the body. Consuming a few dates prior to exercise or strenuous activity ensures that your brain and muscles have enough energy to perform at a high intensity.

Dates are also convenient to keep if you are a diabetic, as their sugars are rapidly absorbed into the blood for use in the case of an event where your blood sugar drops too low, too fast. They should not be consumed frequently if you struggle to keep your blood sugar under control, as their generous carbohydrate content can add to your diabetes woes.

3. Help Prevent Night Blindness

Many people struggle with vision under poor lighting conditions even though their eyes may physically be in great shape. This has many causes, but among them are those caused by a deficiency of Vitamin A or its related carotenoids anti-oxidants.

Dates can also play an important role in delaying macular degeneration of the eye as a result of aging, helping preserve vision for a longer time.

4. Help Control Cholesterol Levels

There are actually many different varieties of dates, with differing nutritional profiles among some of them. By far, the most common variety is the medjool type, but another called the Hallawi has shown potential in reducing blood cholesterol levels. The Hallawi variety also possesses a greater proportion of catechins, compounds related to those in tea that have a cholesterol lowering effect.

They simultaneously reduce levels of bad the bad cholesterol LDL, and raise concentration of good HDL, even though they have a relatively high sugar level. In addition, dates also prevent oxidation of cholesterol, which in turn reduces the likelihood of atherosclerotic deposits getting larger in blood vessels. This 1-2 punch can reduce the incidence of heart disease significantly.

5. Help To Control Blood Pressure

One striking feature of dates is that their sodium content is so low it can be considered negligible, while they contain more than enough potassium. We know that excessive sodium (salt) is a major contributing factor to high blood pressure, but potassium exerts a controlling effect, helping promote sodium excretion. As a result, since dates are rich in potassium but not sodium, it creates a scenario that promotes the excretion of sodium and excess water, regulating blood volume and blood pressure.

6. Preserve Healthy Intestinal Microbiome

The intestines are populated by a diverse population of micro-organisms, many of which are essential to our survival and health, and for breakdown and assimilation of nutrients. These micro-organisms can become suppressed for many reasons, ranging from disease to use of medication. We need to ensure these bacteria get sufficient nutrition, which dates capably supply. Dates contain soluble fiber which is converted into pre-biotic nutrition for these bacteria, in order for them to properly replicate and colonize the intestines. Supplying adequate nutrition also supports your immune system, which in turn will boost your natural resistance.