It’s a Date! How Adding This Delectable Fruit to Your Diet Can Offer Amazing Health

Delicious, sweet, and full of nutrients, dates are a delicious fruit deriving from the date palm. This tropical-looking plant appears to look like a normal palm tree, but it can produce almost 300 pounds of this healthful and sweet treat per harvest season! Native to the Middle East, dates thrive in dry, tropical and subtropical environments. I grew up in the middle of the Mojave Desert in Las Vegas, Nevada, which was surprisingly a great place to grow date palms. My backyard was filled with these trees, and when harvest season came around, these dates were absolutely delicious and coveted by humans and local wildlife alike.

There are over 2000 different varieties of dates, with Medjool dates being the most well-known and cultivated across the world. My personal favorite are Halawi dates, or honey dates, which are delicious in muesli and dessert recipes, but dates can be used in a variety of sweet and savory dishes! Dates are delicious and especially nutritious, with plenty of health benefits you would never expect from this ancient fruit.

Dates are filled with antioxidants, which makes it the perfect brain food! These antioxidants prevent oxidative stress, which can prevent neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. These antioxidants are neuroprotective and can even help with mental clarity and mood by reducing stress and anxiety in individuals who consume this fruit on a frequent basis. Dates are also filled with plenty of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B and potassium, which can help with mental clarity and brain health.

The most well-known effect dates have on the human body is their ability to improve our gut health. Dates contain high amounts of dietary fiber, which is critical to maintaining digestive health. Only 3 ounces of dates provide 32% of the recommended daily intake of dietary fiber! Dietary fiber not only keeps us full, but it can reduce the risk of gastrointestinal problems and diseases such as colitis, hemorrhoids, constipation, and even some cancers.

Dates are not just good for your gut and brain, but they have more unconventional uses as well. Studies have shown that consuming dates during the last few weeks of pregnancy help stimulate uterine contractions and cervical dilation, which can ultimately make the birthing process shorter and smoother. These studies have also shown that dates may reduce the risk of postpartum hemorrhaging. Dates have also been shown to reduce the risk of tooth decay due to their high concentration of phytochemicals and fluorine, which can prevent bacterial growth on enamel.

Finally, dates are a fantastic way to incorporate high amounts of nutrients and carbohydrates into your diet. If you are looking for a high-energy and sustainable snack before working out, studies show that energy bars containing this fruit provide the energy needed to sustain you for a full workout. Dates are rich in carbohydrates to keep you energized, and they have proteins, vitamins, and fibers that aid in maintaining your drive during high energy exercise.

Consider adding dates to your shopping list the next time you’re at the grocery store. Dates are sweet treats that are filled with beneficial nutrients and fiber that will leave you feeling full and energized throughout the day!