19 Amazing Benefits of Dates (Khajoor)
Date palm or Khajoor is an edible fruit of the date palm tree and belongs to the palm family, Arecaceae. It is native to Iran but is now cultivated in many tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. This delicious fruit is sweet and sticky. It provides many health and beauty benefits as it contains essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, polyphenols, and dietary fibers, etc.
Health Benefits of Dates
Some major health benefits of dates are as follows.
(1) Good For Digestion
Blueberries are good for the stomach and improve our digestive health.
Vitamin C, vitamin A, and other antioxidant compounds such as flavonoids, etc in blueberries protect our digestive system from free radical damage and reduce the risk of colon cancer, abdominal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and intestinal cancer, etc.
The laxative properties of dietary fibers in blueberries improve bowel movement, relieve constipation and provide relief from other digestive issues like abdominal pain, gas, bloating, and flatulence, etc.
Potassium in dates benefits against diarrhea.
(2) Strengthen Bones
Consuming dates regularly not only makes our bones stronger but also increases bone density and decreases the risk of osteoporosis etc.
Dates make our bones and teeth stronger as they contain minerals such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium.
Calcium promotes the growth and development of the bones and reduces the risk of bone disorders such as osteoporosis.
Potassium in dates improves bone density as it neutralizes acid load, and reduces loss of calcium from the bones.
Magnesium, manganese, and selenium, etc in dates also play a significant role in improving bone density and making bones stronger.
(3) Provides Relief From Intestinal Disorders
Dates improve our digestive health and provide relief from intestinal disorders.
Amino acids in dates aid digestion, and dates also contain nicotine.
In small doses, nicotine inhibits the growth of pathological organisms and stimulates the growth of friendly bacteria in the stomach.
Dates stimulate digestive juices in our stomach, improve digestion, and allow proper absorption of nutrients by our digestive system.
(4) Reduces The Risk Of Anemia
Moderate intake of dates reduces the risk of iron-induced anemia and also helps with the treatment.
Iron-induced anemia is a blood disorder caused by the deficiency of iron in our body. It gives rise to symptoms such as general fatigue, weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, dizziness, and irregular heartbeat, etc.
Iron present in the dates increases red blood cells in our body. Red blood cells carry oxygenated blood cells to the body and nourish them.
Vitamin C, vitamin A, and other antioxidants in dates protect the red blood cells from oxidative damage and increase their efficiency.
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(5) Reduces The Risk Of Allergies
Organic sulfur present in dates is beneficial for reducing several allergic and seasonal reactions. As per a 2002 study, organic sulfur in dates has a positive impact on the people experiencing seasonal Allergic Rhinitis (SAR).
(6) Help With Weight Management
Dates help in weight management and are equally beneficial for both underweight and overweight.
They are high in calories ( 282 calories per 100 grams) and promote weight gain.
Natural sugars, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and protein, etc in dates provide nourishment to our body, increase our energy level, and improve overall health.
Dates help with overall weight management as they stimulate digestive juices in our stomach, improve digestion, and proper absorption of nutrients from the food.
Dietary fibers in dates improve bowel movement and provide relief from constipation and other digestive disorders.
Dietary fibers in dates help with weight loss as they provide stomach satiety and controls overeating, a major cause of obesity.
(7) Wonderful Energy Booster
Natural sugars such as glucose, sucrose, and fructose, etc in dates make it a wonderful energy booster, and a better alternative to caffeinated energy drinks that we see in the market.
They are a healthy snack that provides an instant burst of energy and prevents sluggishness and lethargy.
(8) Improve Neurological Health
Dates are good for the brain and improve our neurological health.
Vitamin C, vitamin A, and other antioxidant compounds in dates protect our brain cells or neurons from free radical damage. It reduces the risk of bone disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, amnesia, and dementia, etc.
Dates are high in natural sugars such as glucose and fructose that serve as fuel for our brain.
Other nutrients like potassium, magnesium, and B vitamins, etc in dates provide cognitive benefits such as sharper memory, better focus, and increased mental alertness, etc.
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(9) Good For Heart And Provides Cardiovascular Benefits
Dates are good for our heart and improve our cardiovascular system.
Vitamin C, vitamin A, and other relevant compounds like flavonoids, etc in dates protect our cardiovascular system from free radical damage.
Dates contain dietary fibers that reduce LDL cholesterol and minimize the risk of atherosclerosis, a known cause of cardiovascular problems such as heart attack, heart stroke, and coronary artery disease.
Potassium, a natural vasodilator in dates relaxes our blood vessels, improves blood circulation, and relieves hypertension, a leading cause of heart problems.
(10) Improves Sexual Health
The aphrodisiac properties of dates help in improving our sexual health.
For this, do as follows.
Soak a handful of dates in fresh goat’s milk and leave it for the night.
In the morning, add some cardamom powder and honey, and grind the ingredients together.
The mixture can be thus consumed for increasing sexual endurance and protecting against sexual disorders.
As per a 2006 study, high levels of estradiol and flavonoids in dates increase sperm count and improve their mobility.
(11) Good For Eyes
Dates help in maintaining our ocular health as they contain antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin A, and other relevant compounds.
These compounds protect our eyes from free radical damage and reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration, cataract, and glaucoma, etc.
Vitamin A is an essential nutrient for our eyes as it improves vision, prevents eye dryness,, and reduces the risk of night blindness.
(12) Provides Relief From Alcoholic Intoxication
Consuming dates soaked in water provide relief from alcoholic intoxication. A high concentration of fructose in dates improves alcohol metabolism and prevents severe hangovers.
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(13) Eating Dates During Pregnancy And Nursing
The abundance of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and dietary fibers, etc in date helps in maintaining a healthy pregnancy.
Antioxidants and other relevant compounds such as phytonutrients, etc in dates protect the fetus from free radical damage.
Folate or folic acid in dates promotes brain development of the fetus and reduces the risk of birth defects like spina bifida or neural tube defects.
Other nutrients like potassium, magnesium, iron, and B vitamins, etc in dates also help in maintaining healthy pregnancy.
However, dates are rich in natural sugars like glucose, fructose, and sucrose.
Overeating dates may increase blood sugar levels and increase the risk of gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
In large doses, too much fiber in dates may cause intestinal gas, intestinal bloating, and poor absorption of nutrients.
Consult your doctor before eating dates during pregnancy and ensure there is no complication involved.
Nursing mothers should follow the same precaution, and have a word with their doctor before adding dates to their routine.
(14) Prevents Tooth Decay And Strengthens Tooth Enamel
The fluoride in dates prevents tooth decay and strengthens our enamel.
Fluoride in dates combines with hydroxyapatite of tooth enamel to form hydroxyafluropatite. It provides resistance against tooth decay and strengthens tooth enamel. Other bone-strengthening minerals such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium, etc
Beauty Benefits Of Dates For Skin
Following are the major beauty benefits of dates for the skin.
(1) Reduce Premature Aging
Dates are a good source of Vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid and this makes them very beneficial for repairing damaged skin cells. Eating dates regularly also prevent our skin cells from the damage caused by the free radicals. Free radicals are unstabilized ions that get formed in our bodies during the oxidation process.
Dates help in maintaining our skin health as they contain powerful antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin A, and relevant compounds such as flavonoids, etc.
These compounds protect our skin cells from free radical damage and reduce various signs of premature aging like fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, dark spots, and skin blemishes, etc.
Vitamin C enhances the production of collagen, an amino acid that maintains skin elasticity and prevents wrinkles and saggy skin.
Vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid in dates protects our skin cells from damage, and maintains skin health.
(2) Keep Our Skin Healthy
Vitamins and minerals in dates provide nourishment to our skin and make it soft, supple, and radiant.
The exfoliating properties of dates remove dead skin cells and improve skin radiance.
Antioxidants in dates protect our skin from free radical damage, reduce many signs of premature aging like fine lines and wrinkles, and bring out the natural glow of the skin.
(3) Provides Relief From Various Skin Disorders
Dates reduce the risk of skin problems like acne and pimples.
Acne is a common skin problem that mainly occurs due to the clogging up of skin pores by toxins, pollutants, and other impurities.
The detoxifying properties of dietary fibers and antioxidants such as vitamin C in dates remove toxins and other impurities from the system.
This reduces the risk of toxins accumulation in the skin pores and reduce the risk of acne and pimples.
Dietary fibers in dates control the secretion of excess oil from the sebaceous gland of the skin and prevent acne from worsening.
Dates can also be used topically to clear off acne. For this, mash some dates and add honey to form a mixture. Apply this mixture to the affected area and wash off after 15-20 minutes.
Beauty Benefits Of Dates For Hair
Following are the major beauty benefits of dates for hair.
(1) Keep Our Hair And Scalp Healthy
Dates keep our hair follicles and scalp healthy as they contain essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals.
Antioxidants in dates protect our hair from oxidative stress and reduce the risk of premature greying of hair, hair fall, split ends, etc.
By nourishing our hair, dates make them strong and lustrous.
(2) Make Our Hair Long, Strong, And Thick
Dates strengthen our hair and reduce hair fall.
Massaging our hair and scalp with date oil makes our hair strong and lustrous.
Disclaimer
The information contained in the post is for general purpose only and shouldn’t be considered as medical advice or as an alternative to medical advice. Although I’ve tried my best to keep the information contained in this post as accurate and updated as possible, I make no guarantee of the accurateness of the same.
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