Dates are one of the healthiest fruits on earth. In more ways than one, they contribute to keeping you healthy. What I love most about them is their sweet, savory taste, especially when served chilled.

Dates are the fruit of the date palm tree often sold dried in western cities. You can identify them by their wrinkled, brown skin.

Below are 6 health benefits of dates.

Dates Are High In Fiber

The human body needs enough fiber to aid digestion. In a 100-gram serving of dates, you get 7 grams of fiber. This can help prevent constipation and promote regular bowel movement.

They Provide Antioxidants To Help Your Body Fight Diseases

Dates have high antioxidant content. These antioxidants protect your body cells from unstable molecules that can cause health-threatening reactions in your body.

Carotenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic acid are the three most potent antioxidants found in dates.

Carotenoid - promotes eye and heart health.

Flavonoids - helps to reduce inflammation and the risk of diabetes. The journal, "Protective effects of Flavonoids against Alzheimer's disease-related neural dysfunction" by Bakhtiari M. et al, showed the ability of dates to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

Phenolic acid - known to prevent and reduce inflammation and may lower the risk of heart disease and cancer.

Dates May Ease Late-term Labor

Eating dates in the last few weeks of pregnancy may aid cervical dilation thus reducing the need for induced labor.

Dates contain tannins, compounds that have been proven to facilitate contractions.

Being a good source of calories and natural sugars, it can also help maintain energy levels during labor.

They Can Be Used As A Natural Sweetener

Dates can replace white sugars in recipes. They are a healthy substitute because they contain fructose and are a rich source of fibers and antioxidants.

You can make a date paste by blending dates along with water. In replacing white sugars, do so in the ratio 1:1, that is, one spoon of white sugar should be substituted with one spoon of date paste.

Dates Have The Potential To Reduce The Risk Of Diabetes And Bone-related Diseases

A study showed that dates have the potential to help regulate diabetes as a result of their low glycemic index. Thus, they can aid prevention as well as the progression of the disease.

Also, since dates contain Calcium, Magnesium, and Potassium, studies have shown its potential to prevent bone-related diseases.

No conclusion has been drawn with regards to those studies but their potential has been recognized and cannot be overlooked.

They Are Highly Nutritious

From a 100-gram serving of dates, you can get enough carbs, calories, protein, and fiber. You can also get potassium, magnesium, calcium, copper, manganese, and iron. Indeed, they are truly nutritious.

The health benefits of dates cannot be underestimated. So, as you eat your dates, revel in their sweetness but also be assured of their benefits to your health.

Also, do not consume them uncontrollably as they can make you gain weight due to their high calorie and sugar content.