By Sarah Schroeder

What we eat during the Holy Month of Ramadan, especially if we’re fasting is very important. Eating well and eating smart will get you through the hot day, whether you’re observing Ramadan or not. Dates can be found in abundance in Qatar, and come in different shapes and sizes, depending on the type of date.

You can enjoy dates with Arabic coffee, eat them for breakfast or dessert, use their syrup as natural sweeteners, bake with them, mix them in your cereal or even have them in a milk or laban shake – the possibilities are infinite!

A popular food for breaking the fast in Ramadan – the date is more than we expect! Apart from its sweet rich flavours, the date hides a lot of secret health benefits that make it even more appealing to consume. Dates are more than a source of energy and ILQ has found 10 incredible health benefits for you. So go ahead and indulge in this super-fruit to stay healthy and beautiful!

1. They’re rich in iron

This is great news for those of us who have anemia. Iron deficiencies are very common. Vegetarians and vegans who don’t get their iron from meat often seek alternative foods with the nutrient. Look no more – dates can act as a dietary supplement with iron for your red blood cells!

2. They’re good for your eye-sight

Vitamin A is not only found in carrots! Around 3% of 100 grams of dates is Vitamin A. This vital vitamin protects your eyes and helps maintain a healthy skin.

3. Potassium for your heart

With 20% of potassium, dates can help decrease your blood pressure. Magnesium in addition helps keep your blood pressure down for a healthy heart. This is especially crucial in Qatar’s hot summer.

4. Dates contain more than 15 minerals

Magnesium, selenium, copper, manganese, phosphorus, and calcium are all hiding inside this dried fruit. These minerals strengthen our teeth and bones. Furthermore, conditions like osteoporosis can be eased with the minerals found in dates.

5. Younger skin and strong hair

If you want beautiful skin and healthy hair, eating dates can help you! Vitamins A, B1, B2, and C paired with proteins and minerals help regenerate your skin. Your skin can look younger with fewer wrinkles and less melanin build-up. Dates can even help with some skin conditions, making your skin soft and smoother. As for hair, you can eat dates anduse the oil from dates directly on your hair to prevent hair loss and strengthen follicles for thicker and faster growth. Amazing!

6. A source of protein

If you love working out and want to build some muscle, you might want to have your daily dose of dates as well! The protein in dates is easily accessible for your body and can be utilized when working out to gain muscle strength and boost your ability!

7. Helps your digestion

What’s more? Thirty-two per cent of dates are fibre. This makes dates a good breakfast food and helpful for your digestion. The fibre helps with constipation and cleans your colon to keep it healthy!

8. Boost your brain!

Need a little boost? Dates contain Vitamin B6, which is associated with greater cognitive functioning. Brain performance and test scores can be improved! Try to have a date before an important exam or presentation.

9. Weight gain

Dates can be an easy and natural way to regulate our weight. You can increase your weight by eating a couple of extra dates, which are high in fruit sugars. Just make sure dates are not the only thing you consume!

10. Anti-inflammatory properties

Finally, dates are said to have anti-inflammatory properties and can help with related illnesses and conditions. Such conditions can include arthritis, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease. The magnesium found in dates can reduce the risk of getting them or ease the symptoms.

The remarkable health benefits are surely a fantastic reason we will happily treat ourselves to some dates! Did you know dates were as healthy as this? This decadent fruit may be associated with candy and dessert, but is more nutritious than many vegetables. The date is undeniably a super-fruit in disguise!

Have we missed any benefits of dates – apart from being absolutely delicious? Let us know what you think, and if this list changed the way you see dates! Which kind is your favourite date? Give us a like, and share this with your friends and family – you know it keeps us going!

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ILQ Staff

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