My husband and I have recently started a love affair with dates - particularly Medjool dates. These delightful dried fruits have become one of our favorite daily snacks. They are soft, slightly chewy and very sweet, making us feel as though we have eaten something like candy (caramel candy). However, dates have much more to offer than a piece of candy could ever provide in the nutritional realm. Dates provide a source of potassium, manganese, magnesium, vitamin B-6 and fiber.
Potassium There are many benefits to increasing your potassium intake. Just 4 dates a day can provide enough potassium to aid the kidneys in eliminating sodium, reducing blood pressure and reducing the risk of stroke by 40%. Potassium is also essential for nerve and muscle cell action throughout the body. Because potassium is an electrolyte, it functions to conduct the electrical impulses that make muscles work - including the heart! An inadequate level of potassium can result in muscle cramps and spasms or fatigue. A dangerously low level of potassium can affect the heart's rhythm.
Energy boost The natural sugar combined with the dietary fiber in a serving of dates provides a good energy boost. I personally do not notice a blood sugar spike after eating a couple of dates. My opinion is that the fiber in the dates allows the sugar to be digested more slowly than a refined sugar which goes to the blood stream too quickly.
Fiber Well now, we all know what fiber can do for a person. The risk of colon cancer and heart disease goes down as fiber intake goes up. A daily dose of dates is a very effective way to keep the digestive tract moving! An efficient GI tract promotes better overall health, more energy, clear skin, and better mental function.
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