Since ancient times, dates have been a major part of Middle Eastern Cuisine.
These are a sweet fruit of a palm tree.
Dates and date palms are considered sacred plants by Muslims, and during the month-long Ramadan fast, dried fruits like these are a staple of the diet.
But are dates good for constipation and can they help you poop?
Dates are an excellent source of fiber that can help you if you’re dealing with constipation.
A 100-gram serving has 8 grams of fiber, a significant portion of the recommended daily intake of 21 to 25 grams for women, and 30 to 38 grams for men.
Dates are a good source of dietary fiber, which is important for promoting regular bowel movements.
They also contain sorbitol, a naturally occurring sugar alcohol that is often used as a sweetener or thickening agent in food and beverage products.
It is typically derived from corn syrup but can also be extracted from fruits and vegetables.
Sorbitol has a variety of benefits over other sweeteners, including its lower calorie content and its resistance to spoilage.
In addition, dates are a good source of magnesium, which helps relax the digestive tract muscles and promote healthy bowel function.
Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a vital role in many of the body’s physiological processes.
It is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions, including those involved in energy production, DNA replication, and protein synthesis.
Magnesium is also required for the proper structure and function of bones, muscles, and nerves. Additionally, magnesium helps to regulate blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
Given its importance, it’s no surprise that magnesium deficiency is linked to a variety of health problems, including fatigue, weakness, muscle cramps, anxiety, and migraines.
For these reasons, dates can be an effective way to relieve constipation and promote regularity. If you’re looking for a natural way to keep things moving, dates may be worth a try.
Are Dates A Laxative?
One of the benefits of dates is that it is high in fiber therefore, it is considered a natural laxative that can help soothe constipation.
This is because dates are packed with soluble fiber that binds to your stool and softens it, making it easier to pass and your restroom visit as comfortable as possible.
Be warned! Overconsumption of foods like dates that are rich in fiber can lead to diarrhea or other gastrointestinal upsets.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to how many dates a day you should eat, as it depends on factors such as your age, activity level, and overall health. However, there are some general guidelines you can follow.
The American Heart Association recommends eating no more than six dates per day if you’re over the age of 50 or four dates per day if you’re under 50.
And if you have diabetes, it’s important to talk to your doctor about how many dates are safe for you to consume.
While there’s no need to go overboard with date consumption, eating a few dates each day can have some impressive health benefits.
Dates are a good source of fiber and antioxidants, and they’ve been shown to help lower cholesterol levels and improve digestion.
So if you’re looking for a healthy snack that will give you a little boost throughout the day, reach for some dates instead of unhealthy processed foods.
Can Dates Give You Diarrhea?
Dates are packed with a lot of nutrients and are unique because of their tasty flavor, making them a popular sweet treat and a healthy snack.
Though dates have numerous health benefits, you can always get too much of a good thing!
Because dates are high in fiber, they can act as a natural laxative and give you diarrhea if eaten in excess.
Eating dates excessively might cause you a long trip to the toilet.
Similarly, its high sugar content may also cause digestive issues.
As a result, dates are recommended to be consumed in moderation.
Having diarrhea can be uncomfortable, inconvenient, and for some, can cause accompanying abdominal cramps.
Diarrhea can be a debilitating condition that makes it difficult to go about daily activities.
While many over-the-counter treatments are available, these can often have unwanted side effects.
Fortunately, there are a number of natural remedies that can help to ease the symptoms of diarrhea and promote normal bowel function.
One of the most effective is peppermint oil, which has been shown to relax the digestive tract muscles and reduce inflammation.
Other helpful ingredients include chamomile tea, which has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.
It is important to drink plenty of fluids if you’ve got a bad case of the runs, as you’re losing water and electrolytes.
You might also supplement your diet with probiotics, the beneficial bacteria that reside in your colon and keeps your gut healthy.
Probiotics benefit you in a variety of ways, including fighting off harmful bacteria when you have too much of them and making you feel better.
Incorporating probiotics into your diet can help treat diarrhea by reestablishing the balance of bacteria in your stomach.
Probiotics can be naturally found in fermented foods such as kombucha, yogurt, and miso soup.
However, in a pinch, countless probiotic supplements are available over the counter for a quick boost to your gut’s health.
How Many Dates Can I Eat A Day?
The recommended serving size of dates is about ¼ cup or approximately 5 dates.
100 grams of dates provide 375 calories, 67 grams of carbohydrates, 6.25 grams of fat, and 1.81 grams of protein.
Based on the different conducted studies, eating 3-6 dates per day is recommended to get the most of its nutrients.
Dates are known for being called a “superfood” for having a lot of nutrients and minerals.
They are an excellent source of fiber, iron, potassium, B vitamins, and antioxidants.
In addition, dates contain high amounts of selenium, a trace mineral that may lower the risk of prostate and bladder cancer risk.
Although dates have numerous benefits to our body, it is still best to consume them in moderation and eaten in a balanced diet.
While dates are often touted as a healthy snack, they can also cause some unpleasant digestive side effects. One of the most common is diarrhea.
Dates are high in fiber, which can promote regularity and prevent constipation.
However, they can also have the opposite effect if you eat too many.
When fiber isn’t able to bind with water in the intestine, it can act like a laxative and cause diarrhea.
Dates also contain sorbitol, a type of sugar alcohol that can have a laxative effect.
If you’re sensitive to sorbitol, you may experience diarrhea after eating dates.
Finally, some people may be allergic to dates.
Allergic reactions can cause a range of symptoms, including diarrhea.
If you notice that you always get diarrhea after eating dates, it’s best to avoid them.
While they may be a healthy snack for some people, they’re not worth the digestive discomfort they cause.
In addition, dates contain high amounts of sugar and carbohydrates, and at 375 calories per 100-gram serving, they can be a significant contributor to weight gain.
I’m Chris Watson & the Founder of EatForLonger.com. I’m a food and wellbeing enthusiast researching and sharing foodstuffs and simple food-based concepts, such as fasting and clean eating.
I hope it inspires you to make tiny changes to what you eat and when you eat while optimizing your healthspan and all-around well-being.
Read more About Me here.