Health Benefits of Medjool Dates

Medjool dates are most commonly associated with the Mediterranean diet. And rightly so since this diet is supposed to be one of the healthiest on earth. Regular consumption of the sweet fruit can improve your health and even offer you an energy boost. The Medjool date tree has been cultivated for thousands of years because of its sweet fruit and its many health benefits. While they may appear leathery, the sweet almost caramel like meat inside is worth trying a bite. Here are just a few health benefits you can enjoy by adding Medjool dates to your diet.

Regulate Blood Pressure

Medjool dates have a significant level of potassium in them, which is great news if you are trying to regulate your blood pressure. Potassium helps relieve the tension in arteries and blood vessels which allows the cardiovascular system to function without stress. This, in turn, helps to reduce the chance of developing strokes, atherosclerosis, and heart attacks. Thus, if you have any history of heart disease or high blood pressure in your family, it may be helpful to add Medjool dates to your diet.

Preserve Your Vision

Medjool dates are high in beta-carotene which the body converts into vitamin A, an essential vitamin for your overall eye health. Vitamin A acts as an antioxidant that is often prescribed by doctors for improving eye function. People who regularly consume Vitamin A are less likely to suffer from macular degeneration, have less stress in the retina and have a smaller risk factor for the development of cataracts.

Decrease Cholesterol

Not only can Medjool dates help regulate blood pressure, but they also can help decrease bad cholesterol levels (LDL). Medjool dates have a high insoluble and soluble fiber content in them, and the fiber helps to clean out the plaque that gets stuck in the artery walls. Plaque increases the chance that you will suffer from a heart attack, so anything that you can do to help remove it will benefit you in the long term. Dates are a great high fiber food that will keep your LDL low and your heart healthy.

Energy Booster

If you want extra energy in the morning but don’t want to use caffeine or other artificial products to get it, try out Medjool dates. They are great for a pickup or even a workout snack because they are high in natural sugars like sucrose, fructose, and glucose. All of these sugars are easy for the body to process and turn into energy and are not bad for you to consume on a regular basis. All it takes is a few dates to get some zip back into your walk. Some people even find that Medjool dates are a great addition to green smoothies.

Perfect if You Have a Sweet Tooth

People with a sweet tooth often consume a lot of empty calories in the form of pop, candy, and other artificial sugar products. It can be hard to cure an addiction to sweets, but Medjool dates can help because they have a high amount of natural sugar that is good for you while offering you that sweet taste you are after. Plus, as a bonus, they are very fibrous which means you will feel full for longer after consuming a few which will help reduce cravings for more sweets.

Regulate Hormones

Most people have not heard of the mineral manganese, but it is very important because it can affect the way your hormones are produced and the way that your body regulates them. Hormones have a direct role in many body systems and can affect your emotions as well. They can also cause infertility when not properly balanced. Medjool dates are high in manganese helping your body to produce the right amount of hormones to keep you balanced.

Boost Metabolism

Medjool dates are packed full of B vitamins like pantothenic acid, niacin, and folic acid which is great news if you want to lose some weight. This is because all of these B vitamins play a vital role in regulating your metabolism. There are over 300 metabolic processes that take place inside of your body on a daily basis, so you want to support each of them by making sure you get plenty of B vitamins and Medjool dates are a great source. Plus, copper is found in the dates as well which also helps the body to create energy.

Promote Growth or Recovery

On its own, the protein found in Medjool dates is not significant, however, when you combine the protein with the high levels of magnesium, calcium, and potassium found in the dates it is. This is because all of these minerals together are known to help support proper growth and development in young children. Adults that are recovering from an injury or illness can also benefit from the unique regeneration that all of these minerals together supply.

Natural Sweetener

A lot of people that avoid sugar are afraid of using artificial sweeteners because of the bad press and side effects that can be associated with them. Medjool dates are the perfect solution because while the date is a fruit, it is so sweet and candy like that you will have a hard time believing its healthy for you. While you want to be mindful of how many you consume, a Medjool date is always a better choice than any product that is loaded with refined sugar or artificial sweeteners.

Strengthen Bones

As mentioned, there are a lot of minerals inside of Medjool dates, and some of these include calcium and phosphorus. These two elements work together to strengthen your bones and your teeth. Phosphorus is also used by the body to maintain and repair cells and tissues making it a vital mineral for a healthy life. Calcium, in particular, helps to keep the heart and nerves working properly and when consumed in a high enough volume can prevent osteoporosis.