These 6 Things Will Happen to You if You Eat 3 Dates Everyday
They’re widely consumed throughout the world and hold high value in many cultures and religions.
Widely touted for their high fiber and sugar content, many people wonder whether there’s an ideal time to eat dates.
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Dates nutrition
Dates are highly nutritious. The most popular varieties include Medjool and Deglet Noor dates. Though fresh dates are edible, dates are most often consumed dried and easily identified by their dry, bumpy skin.
A 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of dates provides (1Trusted Source):
- Calories: 282
- Protein: 2.5 grams
- Carbs: 75 grams
- Fiber: 8 grams
- Sugar: 64 grams
- Calcium: 3% of the Daily Value (DV)
- Iron: 6% of the DV
- Potassium: 14% of the DV
- Magnesium: 10% of the DV
- Copper: 23% of the DV
- Selenium: 6% of the DV
- Vitamin B6: 10% of the DV
- Folate: 6% of the DV
Dates have an abundance of copper, fiber, manganese, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin B6.
If you suffer from IBS, constipation, or other digestive problems, dates are all you need. Namely, thanks to the fiber they contain, they can reduce the chances of colon cancer. They’re also a great cure for hemorrhoids.
3. Pain relievers
Dates can help you lower aches and reduce swelling because they’re rich in magnesium. According to studies, magnesium in dates lowers arterial inflammation, and thus, decreases the chances of cardiovascular illnesses as well as other conditions like Alzheimer’s, arthritis, etc.
4. Healthy pregnancy with the help of dates
According to research done at UST, women who ate dates during the last 4 weeks of their pregnancy had more favorable labor and delivery.
5. Natural remedy for high blood pressure and stroke
As dates contain magnesium, they’re excellent for lowering high blood pressure. Also, they’re rich in potassium which betters the functioning of the heart. Seven studies showed that magnesium lowers the chances of stroke by 100% for every 100 mg of magnesium you intake on a daily basis.
6. Improve the brain function
Studies indicate that when a person has enough vitamin B6 in their system, the brain’s functioning is much better. That is, you’re more focused, your memory is improved, and you can access information much faster. Dates are the perfect food for a sharp mind.
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Best time to eat dates
Regardless of the food, you’re thinking about eating, the best time to eat is when you’re hungry or want to eat.
Though many health gurus claim that there are best times for the body to digest food — and that eating outside of these times will result in poor digestion — there’s little scientific proof to support these claims.
The human body is ready to digest food before it even touches your mouth. It releases specific digestive enzymes in the mouth and continues to release them throughout the entire course of digestion (2Trusted Source, 3Trusted Source).
In fact, your body is able to identify the type of enzymes needed to be based on the food’s macronutrient ratio — its carb, protein, and fat composition — and can do this at any time of the day (2Trusted Source, 3Trusted Source).
However, there are times when eating dates may be ideal, such as (4Trusted Source, 5Trusted Source, 6Trusted Source, 7Trusted Source):
At breakfast. Dates can be an excellent way to add natural sweetness and fiber to your diet in the early morning. What’s more, their high fiber content can keep you full and satisfied throughout the morning.
As an afternoon snack. Dates are a good source of fiber and are high in natural sugars. This pairing of fiber and sugar allows for a slower rise in blood sugar to help you feel energized without crashing soon afterward.
When you’re hungry. They’re a concentrated form of calories and very filling due to their high fiber content. If you’re feeling hungry but aren’t ready for a full meal, pair dates with some peanut butter for a good source of fiber, carbs, and protein.
Before a workout. Though dates are naturally high in sugar, they don’t spike blood sugar quickly. Rather, they provide a type of slow-releasing carb that allows for a steady stream of energy to fuel your workout. Try having 2–4 dates 30–60 minutes before a workout.
As a nighttime snack. They’re an excellent bedtime snack due to their high fiber content. Fiber takes longer to digest, which can help you stay full and keep midnight hunger pangs at bay.
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