Eat 2 Dates Every Day for 1 Week and This Can Happen to Your Body
Dates are one of the most nutritious fruits on earth. They have been a staple food in the Middle East for thousands of years, and for good reason. Dates are high in fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals while being low in fat and calories. Eating just two dates per day can provide some surprising health benefits. Here is what can happen to your body when you eat two dates every day for a week.
Improved Digestion
Dates are high in fiber with about 8 grams of fiber in 2 dates. The fiber comes from both soluble and insoluble forms. Soluble fiber dissolves into a gel-like consistency and helps food move smoothly through the digestive tract. Insoluble fiber adds bulk which helps prevent constipation. The fiber content in dates makes them helpful for promoting regular bowel movements and preventing constipation. Eating dates regularly can help improve digestive health and keep your gastrointestinal system working efficiently.
Healthy Weight Maintenance
Despite being quite sweet and high in natural sugar, dates are low in calories with only about 140 calories in 2 dates. The fiber content helps make them more filling as well. Fiber slows digestion which makes you feel full longer after eating. This can prevent overeating and weight gain. Eating fiber-rich and nutrient-dense foods like dates can aid in healthy weight maintenance. Dates provide sweetness without a lot of calories so they can help satisfy a sweet tooth as well.
Increased Energy
Dates are an excellent source of natural sugars like glucose, fructose, and sucrose. These sugars are easily digested and provide the body with a quick energy boost. Dates are especially beneficial before or after exercise for an energy hike. The carbs in dates get converted into glucose which the body uses for fuel. Eating a few dates can help fight fatigue and increase energy levels naturally. This makes them a great pre-workout or post-workout snack.
Improved Heart Health
Dates contain antioxidants like carotenoids and phenolic acid which can help reduce inflammation in the body. They also have minerals like potassium, magnesium, and manganese which help regulate heart rate and blood pressure. The fiber in dates binds to cholesterol and removes it from the body which can lower cholesterol levels. One study found that eating dates daily improved cholesterol levels and reduced triglycerides after just 4 weeks. The powerful antioxidants and minerals in dates work together to improve overall heart health.
Better Brain Function
Dates contain key minerals that are integral to healthy brain function like potassium, magnesium, iron, and manganese. Potassium helps improve blood flow while magnesium is involved in neuron signaling and preventing overexcitement of cells. Iron carries oxygen to brain cells and a deficiency can impair cognition. The choline in dates aids memory and learning. Just 2 dates provide nutrients that optimize neuron function and boost focus, memory, and concentration. Eating a couple of dates each day can nourish your brain.
Improved Mood
A serving of dates also contains a useful dose of tryptophan which is an amino acid involved in regulating mood. Tryptophan increases serotonin levels in the brain which promotes positive emotions like joy, satisfaction, and calmness. The natural sugars in dates cause a mild spike in energy as well which can lift your mood. Dates make for a healthy sweet treat that not only satisfies your sweet tooth but also elevates your mood naturally. Enjoying a few dates when you feel down can help boost your mood.
Stronger Bones
Dates provide several key minerals for building strong bones including manganese, copper, magnesium, and selenium. Manganese is especially important as a cofactor for an enzyme involved in bone development and density. A lack of manganese can contribute to fractures and osteoporosis. Just one serving of dates provides 17% of your daily manganese needs for healthy bones. The anti-inflammatory antioxidants in dates also protect bone cells from damage to keep your bones strong as you age.
Healthy Pregnancy
Pregnant women can greatly benefit from the nutrition packed into dates. Dates are high in folate, potassium, magnesium and iron which pregnant women need more of to avoid deficiencies. The nutrients in dates support the healthy development of the fetus and lower the change of complications. Dates are also a natural remedy for constipation and morning sickness which are common pregnancy discomforts. Eating dates regularly can help provide optimal nutrition for a healthy pregnancy.
Improved Natural Fertility
The magnesium, manganese, copper and B vitamins in dates can help support fertility health in both women and men. These nutrients are necessary for reproductive health. Dates also contain plant compounds that mimic estrogen and can mildly increase estrogen levels. For women, more regular cycles and ovulation can increase chances of conception. In men, dates may aid testosterone levels and sperm health which are linked to fertility. Eating dates can help support fertility in a natural way for both partners.
Healthy Skin
The powerful antioxidants in dates like carotenoids fight against skin cell damage that causes aging. Vitamins C and D in dates keep the skin nourished while vitamin B5 helps repair tissues. The anti-inflammatory effects of dates calm redness or irritation as well. Overall, dates boost skin health and slow signs of aging like wrinkles and dark spots. The minerals and antioxidants in just 2 dates each day can do wonders for your skin over time.
Slowed Hair Loss
The nutrients in dates are also great for nourishing hair follicles and preventing hair loss. Biotin strengthens hair strands, zinc boosts growth, and vitamin C increases collagen production. Dates are especially high in copper which increases melanin production for healthier hair. Manganese and selenium nourish the scalp while antioxidants prevent damage to hair follicles from free radicals. Overall, dates provide key nutrients to strengthen hair from the inside out. Enjoying a couple of dates daily can improve hair growth and luster.
Protection Against Disease
Eating dates regularly can help prevent chronic illnesses and inflammation due to the powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds they contain. Dates are especially high in polyphenols which offer protection against diabetes, heart disease, and even certain cancers like colorectal cancer. The minerals and fiber in dates also optimize digestion and cultivate a healthy gut microbiome which boosts immunity. Just two dates each day can activate your body’s disease defenses in multiple ways for whole-body protection.
Conclusion
Adding just 2 dates per day to your diet for a week can provide you with noticeable benefits ranging from increased energy and weight maintenance to improved heart and brain health. The fiber, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants packed into sweet and tasty dates make them an incredibly nutritious fruit with immense health value. Incorporating dates into your meals, snacks or smoothies is an easy way to enhance your overall wellbeing and optimize many of your body’s systems. Date yourself to better health with nature’s candy.