Dates and their effects: Why they are so healthy

Dates are rich in nutrients and are therefore considered healthy. However, the fruits of the date palm are high in calories.

Dates are healthy snacks

In Ayurvedic medicine, dates have been valued for centuries as a nourishing and strengthening food that promotes balance between body and mind. This is hardly surprising, as dates are rich in nutrients and therefore very healthy.

• In addition to vitamin A, which is essential for our eye health, the fruit is also rich in vitamins B3, B5, and B6, which ensure a stable nervous system. It also contains vitamin K and a little vitamin C.

• This power fruit is also rich in minerals that are essential for our body. Dates contain over fifteen minerals, including magnesium, manganese, copper, selenium, zinc, iron, phosphorus, calcium, and potassium.

• With a potassium content of around 330 milligrams per 50 grams, dates even top bananas, which contain about half as much potassium. Potassium is important for our nerves and has a blood pressure-lowering effect.

• Dates also score points with a good dose of antioxidants, which protect our cells from free radicals. This means they also have a positive effect on the immune system.

• Thanks to their fiber content, the fruits also ensure regular digestion and balanced blood sugar levels, which is particularly important for diabetics.

• In addition, they contain unsaturated fatty acids such as linolenic acid and linoleic acid, as well as over 20 amino acids. These include the amino acid tryptophan, which our body needs to produce serotonin. Serotonin is not called the happiness hormone for nothing; it puts us in a good mood and helps us fall asleep.

• Regular consumption of dates supports heart health by positively influencing cholesterol levels and regulating blood pressure.

Things to keep in mind when eating dates

The bread of the desert, as dates are often called, should not be consumed in large quantities.

• Dates have 282 calories per 100 grams. This is partly because the food consists of well over 60 percent sugar, such as fructose and glucose.

• However, dates can even help with weight loss when eaten in moderation, as they keep blood sugar levels constant and thus prevent cravings.

• People with diabetes should consume dates with caution due to their sugar content and monitor their blood sugar levels if necessary.

• To ensure that the concentrated power of dates has a positive effect on our body, it is sufficient to eat three to four dates a day. Use the fruit to sweeten homemade muesli instead of table sugar to reap double the benefits.

• If you have a sensitive stomach, eating too many dates can also cause flatulence or digestive problems.