Make Dates Your Favorite Superfood
You’ve heard of superfoods and already know about the benefits of eating acai berries, bursting with vitamin C, or chia seeds, packed full of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
There’s another nutrient-packed goodie you will know but may not identify as a superfood. It’s the humble date, and, in this article, we’re going to reinvent the superfoods list with dates right at the top!
Read on to know why this versatile fruit deserves to be crowned king of superfoods — and your next favorite, too!
What’s Special About Dates?
Dates are packed with nutrients, including an array of vitamins and minerals as well as antioxidants and fiber. But are dates considered a superfood? Let’s take a look at each of their features and find out.
Get Your Vitamins and Minerals Here
Dates contain almost a whole alphabet of vitamins and minerals. They are especially high in vitamin B6, which plays a number of roles in keeping you healthy.
These include helping create neurotransmitters that regulate your emotions. It also aids hemoglobin production, enabling oxygen to be delivered to the cells in your body. As another example, it helps to prevent heart disease.
The varied roles of vitamin B6 affect almost every system of the body, making this nutrient essential for overall health.
Dates are also rich in potassium, with a 100g serving containing 20 percent of your recommended daily intake. Potassium is another nutrient with a wide variety of roles, keeping the nervous system healthy and helping to protect against disease.
You’ll also find:
- Vitamin A
- B vitamins
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
- Magnesium
- Copper
- Manganese
- Iron
Antioxidants to the Rescue!
Dates are exceptionally high in antioxidants. These compounds protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals, which can lead to serious diseases.
These antioxidants include:
- Flavonoids, which reduce inflammation and are believed to protect against diabetes and some cancers
- Carotenoids, which protect your heart and help prevent eye disorders
- Phenolic acid, another anti-inflammatory agent that can help cut your risk of heart disease and cancer
A Great Fiber Provider
Dates are a fantastic source of fiber. In fact, they are one of the best superfoods for gut health.
Fiber prevents constipation and helps regulate your bowel movements. It also plays a role in controlling your blood sugar. And because it slows down digestion, fiber can stop your blood sugar levels from rising too rapidly after eating.
Boost Your Energy With Dates
Dates make a nutritious snack, thanks to their natural sugars that will give you that extra zest you need in just a few mouthfuls.
You can eat them just as they are or combine them in tasty recipes like brownies to perk you up as you go about your day.
If you use them in recipes, you’ll find you won’t need to add any sugar as you’ll get all the sweetness you need from the dates.
What’s the Best Way to Get My Date Hit?
Eat dates as they come or include them in sweet or savory recipes to add an extra dimension of nutrition and flavor.
Try Medjool dates for a super juicy, nutritious hit. It’s no coincidence that they’re known as “the king of dates.” They’re a larger size than regular dates and have a luxurious, soft texture and rich flavor, making them a delicious superfood that you won’t be able to resist!
We’ve just touched on the many benefits of dates here, and we think you’ll agree that they deserve the title of “king of superfoods” thanks to their nutritional profile, versatility, and delicious flavor! Make them your favorite superfood today.
