When it comes to food choices, we often need to decide between something that is good for us or something that tastes good to us. There is a definite difference between the two of them but sometimes, they also cross paths.
Today, we are going to look at dates. They are a sweet little treat and many people enjoy them because they are delicious. You can’t really take away from the fact that they are also packed full of essential nutrients and are a great part of a nutritious diet.
Dates have many of the vital nutrients that you would need to live the best life possible. According to the USDA, a serving of dates contains a high percentage of your RDA of the following:
Copper: 40% (.362 mg).
Magnesium: 15% (54 mg).
Manganese: 14% (.296 mg).
Potassium: 23% (696 mg).
Vitamin B6: 17% (.249 mg).
You also find that dates are full of a lot of key antioxidants. They include flavonoids, which help protect your brain and reduce inflammation. Carotenoids are also present in dates that they can help your heart and your eyesight. One other antioxidant is Phenolic Acid, which is anti-inflammatory and can reduce the possibility of serious health issues.
Since dates contain a lot of fiber, they support your digestive health and help you avoid constipation. Fiber is a prebiotic and is good for your gut bacteria.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, having just 100 g of dates every day provides 7 g of fiber. That is the same amount that you would find in a cup of cooked whole-wheat pasta.
We all are interested in taking care of our hearts, and the magnesium and potassium found in dates help to support your heart health. Including them in a balanced diet may even help to reduce clogged arteries as you get older.
Would you like to have strong bones? The magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus in dates help to maintain your bones every day. They do so by building up bone density and reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
Finally, consider the benefit to your brain. Since vitamin B6 is in dates in large amounts, it helps to produce norepinephrine and serotonin. Both of those chemicals are important for the health of your brain and the regulation of your boots.
Any way you look at it, dates are a fantastic thing to add to your diet. They are also an excellent choice for those with a sweet tooth and can provide a lot of natural energy.