Too much of anything is bad for you. Dates are not excluded. Even though there’re many benefits from dates you need to be careful of a couple points.
- Weight gain
- Diabetes
- Intolerance to fructose
- Tooth decay
- Migraines
Since dates are high in calories (415 calories in 1 cup) you can easily start packing on the pounds.
If you eat too many dates you also can increase your risks for type 2 diabetes from their high glycemic index. If you constantly spike your sugar level you may someday develop type 2 diabetes. But because the natural sugars in dates are fructose and glucose, diabetics can safely consume them.
People with fructose intolerance need to avoid fruits, fruit juices, sugars, honey and sweetened products such as soft drinks and condensed milk.
Did you know that any food with carbohydrates can cause bacteria to ferment and cause tooth decay? To help prevent this with any foods just brush your teeth after each meal.
Here’s some cool facts on dates:
- Dried dates are a rich source of niacin, copper, iron and magnesium. Just drinking a juice made of dates soaked overnight in water will strengthen the heart and purify the blood.
- Dates are also rich in calcium, and date syrup added to milk strengthens bones. Even breast-feeding mothers can benefit from dates, because it is known to enrich the milk and boost the child’s immune system.
- Just a handful of dates taken with a glass of milk, can provide all the nutrition a person needs for the entire day.
I hope you enjoyed date week.