Dates are more than just a natural, unprocessed alternative to sugar. Dates are highly nutritious and can be very much beneficial for your health.

Unlike many sweet foods which are acidic to the body after consumption, dates actually leave an alkalizing effect on the body.

In addition, with its rich content of fiber, B vitamins and tannins, dates have a cleansing effect. They can help your body remove toxins from both accumulated wastes and exposure to unhealthy substances.

Dates are useful for those trying to lose weight, since the type of fiber they contain (i.e. polysaccharide fiber beta-D-glucan) passes through the intestinal tract more slowly and gives the feeling of fullness for a more prolonged period.

Dates are rich in antioxidants, and hence are great for protecting you against free radical damage in the body and the risk of cancer.

References
[1] Collins, Elise Marie. An A-Z Guide to Healing Foods: A Shopper’s Companion. San Francisco, California: Conari Press, 2009. Print.

Cindy L. TJOL is trained in Psychology, Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. She has several years of experience writing on natural health on the internet. Follow her on her blog and read her other articles at Insights On Health.com.