Fresh dates (or khajoor) are one of the best things you can have during the rainy season. Why? That’s because the monsoon has arrived and it is the season of dates. This delicious dark coloured fruit boasts an array of health benefits. Dates are believed to have come from Iraq. However, Egyptians used to make wines with dates much earlier. Gradually, this nutritional powerhouse reached southwest Asia, Africa, Spain, Mexico, and California, thanks to trade activities. Below, we have mentioned a few significant reasons why dates are one of the most sought-after foods in the world of health.
Good For Digestive Health
Fibre is essential for good digestive health and dates are a rich source of this carbohydrate. Having dates daily can prevent constipation and help in regular bowel movements. It slows digestion and thus also helps in keeping sudden blood sugar level spikes at bay, says a research published in the journal Nutrients.
Helps in Fighting Against Diseases
Being rich in several strong antioxidants, dates can protect your cells from the harmful effects of free radicals that are unstable molecules known to cause diseases. Dates contain three most potent antioxidants namely flavonoids (reduce inflammation), carotenoids (promote heart health), and phenolic acid (lower risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases).
Promote Brain Health
Eating dates can lower inflammatory markers like interleukin 6 (IL-6) in the brain. Notably, a high level of this marker can increase your risk of suffering from Alzheimer’s, as per a study published in the journal Neural Regeneration Research. In addition, dates' daily intake can reduce the activity of amyloid-beta proteins which are responsible for forming plaques in the brain.
May Help Induce Labor
Expecting ladies are advised to have dates in the last week of pregnancy. Doing this can promote cervical dilation and reduce the need for inducing labor through unnatural ways. Moreover, dates help in reducing your labor time, according to a study published in the Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research.
