Zhwan Azad
Dates, the number one food recommended by the Daily Health Post, offer significant benefits in preventing strokes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol. In the United States, where strokes cause long-term disability for many, nearly 600,000 out of 795,000 yearly cases are first-time attacks. Thus, incorporating dates into your diet can aid in the prevention of these debilitating incidents.
What are the dates?
Dates, a member of the palm family, is a flowering plant species. This fruit offers immense health advantages because it is packed with essential nutrients like calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc.
What are they good for?
1. Preventing Atherosclerosis
Regular consumption of dates can shield you against atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque accumulates in your arteries, leading to narrowed arteries and an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry revealed that consuming 3.75 ounces daily for four weeks can reduce triglyceride levels by 15% and decrease fat oxidation by 33%, thereby lowering blood cholesterol.
2. Lowers Blood Pressure
A Harvard Medical School study reveals that dates are highly effective in reducing blood pressure. The researchers suggest consuming 8 servings (half a pound) of dates weekly for optimal results.
3. Preventing Strokes
They are rich in magnesium, a mineral that plays a crucial role in preventing strokes. Research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reveals that consuming 100mg of magnesium daily can lower the risk of stroke by 10%.
4. Reduces Inflammation
Researchers found in a 2005 study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacy that regular consumption of dates can help alleviate inflammation in digestive ulcers. The extracts in dates were shown to reduce ethanol levels and histamine and gastrin concentrations.
5. Preventing Cancer
They are rich in magnesium and possess anti-inflammatory properties that combat diseases, including cancer. According to a 2015 study in the British Journal of Nutrition, regular consumption of dates can potentially lower the risk of colon cancer.
6. Healthier Pregnancy
Researchers from the University of Science and Technology investigated the effects of consuming dates on labor parameters and delivery outcomes in 69 women over a year. The study revealed that women who ate dates during the last four weeks before labor experienced a reduction in the need for labor induction and augmentation, promoting a healthier pregnancy and delivery.
Do you like them? What other fruit do you consume? Let us know in the comments.
