Make a Date with Dates

Make a Date with Dates

The date fruit, which grows on the date palm, is one of the sweetest fruits on Earth.  The delicious fruit has been around for thousands of years and it is believed to have been cultivated as early as 6000 B.C.!  There are several varieties of dates, all of which can be enjoyed fresh or dried.  When they are dehydrated, they take on the wrinkly appearance of a large raisin or dried plum.  However you prefer to eat them, you can be sure that you will not only satisfy your sweet tooth, you will be fueling your body with an incredibly nutritious treat.  Although they do contain a large amount of natural sugar, dates are also chock-full of several beneficial nutrients, including high levels of fiber, potassium, copper, manganese, magnesium and vitamin B6.  Here are some of the wonderful health benefits you can enjoy when you eat dates:

Healthy Digestion

Healthy Digestion

Thanks to their hearty doses of both insoluble and soluble fiber, eating dates can help keep your digestive system running at top form.  In order to maintain a healthy colon and regular bowel movements, you need to eat plenty of foods high in fiber.  In addition to helping your colon work efficiently, eating fiber-rich foods can help reduce your risk of colon cancer, hemorrhoids and colitis.  Dietary fiber can also help you maintain a healthy heart.  

Reduce Inflammation

Reduce Inflammation

Dates contain high amounts of magnesium, which is a mineral renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties.  Inflammation is known to contribute to many health conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis and cardiovascular disease, and consuming more magnesium can help combat the damaging effects of inflammation.  Eating dates is a great way to sneak more of the mineral into your diet.   

Lower Blood Pressure

Lower Blood Pressure

Minerals including magnesium and potassium help your body function properly, and they are particularly helpful at combating high blood pressure.  Reach for dates on a regular basis if you have issues with high blood pressure.

Decrease Your Risk of Stroke

Decrease Your Risk of Stroke

Research has shown that the more magnesium a person consumes, the less likely he or she is to suffer a stroke.  We can’t think of a better reason to snack on dates!

Improve Your Brain Function

Improve Your Brain Function

Several studies have found that vitamin B6 can help improve the performance of the brain, which can contribute to better test scores and cognitive ability.  

As you can see, the health benefits of eating dates makes the scrumptious fruit even more appealing!  

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