Soaked Or Dry Dates, Which Is The Healthier Way To Consume It? (2024)

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Dates can be eaten in its natural form or after being soaked, but know which way is more beneficial?

Soaked Or Dry Dates, Which Is The Healthier Way To Consume It? (1)
  • Written by: Tenzin Chodon
  • Updated at: Dec 04, 2023 02:40 IST
Soaked Or Dry Dates, Which Is The Healthier Way To Consume It? (2)

Dates are a sweetened fruit from the date palm tree grown in many tropical regions around the world, including Northern Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. Its cultivation is said to have started around 4000 BC in Mesopotamia and, from there on, spread to other parts of the world. Today, the fruit has gained a lot of popularity, particularly because of its nutrient properties and several health benefits. There has also been a growing interest in determining the best way to consume it, whether to have it soaked or to consume it dry. In this article, we will try to find out the same.

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Nutritional Value Of Dates

Soaked Or Dry Dates, Which Is The Healthier Way To Consume It? (3)

Sweedal Trinidade, Chief Dietician, PD Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Mahim, said, “Dates have 75% carbohydrates, 8% dietary fibre, 8% iron, potassium, copper, magnesium, vitamin B6 making them instant source of energy, antioxidants like carotenoids, flavonoids and phenolic acid.

She added, “Dates are available in dried or soft pulpy form and relished in various recipes. Over the period of time, dates have made their way into recipes like trail mixes, smoothies, confectionery, energy bars besides having a special place as a snack in Ramadan fasting.”

Health Benefits Of Dates

Some of the common health benefits of dates include:

  • Dietary fibre that relieves constipation and aids in good digestion
  • Carbohydrates for energy
  • Minerals like iron, copper that improves haemoglobin on regular consumption

Soaked Or Dry Dates, Which Is The Healthier Way To Consume It? (4)

Due to its high nutritional value, research has shown that dates are highly effective in reducing the risk of many chronic diseases.

According to a study published in the Neural Regeneration Research, regular date consumption is not only associated with lower risk of neurodegenerative disorders, but also linked to improved cognitive performance in the elderly. The study looked at three major date palm varieties (Fardh, Rutab, and Khalas) and found that all three are rich in phenolic and flavonoid contents, which are said to defend the central nervous system (CNS) against oxidative stress.

Polyphenols in dates also help promote heart health. A study published in the Journal Nutrients suggests that the beneficial plant compound (polyphenols) help reduce total cholesterol and increase High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in the body, lowering the risk of Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs).

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The findings of the study also showed that the level of haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) remained stable even after consuming dates, indicating no significant impact on blood sugar levels.

Another study looked at the benefits of dates for digestive health and found eating dates improved bowel movements in participants, who ate seven dates daily or a carb and sugar mixture for 21 days.

Soaked Or Dried Dates?

Soaked Or Dry Dates, Which Is The Healthier Way To Consume It? (5)

Most dry fruits and pulses are consumed after being soaked in water. It has been recommended since ancient times to reduce the effects of anti-nutritional factors like oxalate, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, and cyanides, which are known to have a negative impact on the accessibility of minerals in the body, said Trinidade. Along with a number of nutrients, dates also contain these anti-nutritional factors.

Therefore, soaking dates is said to remove tannins and other negative compounds from the fruit, making it easier for us to absorb the beneficial vitamins and minerals from it. Moreover, it becomes softer and easier to digest.

However, Trinidade also said that one can consume dates in its dry form as studies have shown that there is low value of oxalate in the date palm, which is why it might not have any negative impact on the utilisation of minerals.

She further added that the concentration of the value of saponins and tannins are also well within permissible limits, hence eating this fruit may not lower the availability of protein in the body or cause any interference with the Red Blood Cells (RBCs).

Conclusion

Dates are highly nutritious and make for an effective food to eat. It holds several health benefits ranging from improved cardiovascular health to reduced risk of neurodegenerative disorders. There are several ways to incorporate it in your diet, one of which involves adding it to your dishes as a natural sweetener. Note that dates are high in calories, which is why moderation is key to maintaining a healthy weight.

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Soaked Or Dry Dates, Which Is The Healthier Way To Consume It? (2024)

FAQs

Soaked Or Dry Dates, Which Is The Healthier Way To Consume It? ›

Along with a number of nutrients, dates also contain these anti-nutritional factors. Therefore, soaking dates is said to remove tannins and other negative compounds from the fruit, making it easier for us to absorb the beneficial vitamins and minerals from it. Moreover, it becomes softer and easier to digest.

Which is more healthy, dry dates or wet dates? ›

These dry dates have richer nutritional composition, differ in taste, skin and texture and have a long shelf life as compared to our wet dates. Dates can be a hidden gem in our weight loss journey.

Should we eat soaked dates? ›

Dates exude natural cooling effect and pacify the body besides boosting immunity. Traditional medical practitioners recommend soaking 4 to 6 dry dates overnight and consuming it daily in the morning, along with water for boosting immunity.

Does soaking dates remove nutrients? ›

"Soaking removes tannins/phytic acid present in them making it easier for us to absorb the nutrients from them easily. Soaking also makes them laghu (easy to digest)," says Dr Bhavsar.

How many dry dates should I eat a day? ›

How many dates should I eat in a day? According to Sedivy, a serving of dates is about one-quarter cup. However, "if you're worried about the sugar amount, I recommend eating two to three large dates to reap all the health benefits associated with them," she says.

Who should not eat dry dates? ›

If you experience stomach pain, bloating, diarrhea, or skin rash after eating dried fruits, you may have an allergy or sensitivity to sulfites and should avoid eating Medjool dates. Sulfites in dried fruits may also worsen symptoms like wheezing for people with asthma.

Which date is healthiest to eat? ›

All dates are good for your health, however, some varieties top the chart due to their yummy taste and high nutritional value. Medjool dates are said to be the most healthy by many, however, this will solely be dependant upon your taste for the dates.

How long should you soak dates? ›

Place just the amount of dates you plan to use in a bowl, then cover with boiling water to fully submerge the fruit. Let the dates soak for about 10 minutes, then and then strain the fruit and discard the water. The fruit will be more plump, juicy, and soft.

Why should you consume dates soaked in milk? ›

Muscle Repair and Recovery: The combination of dates and milk provides a mix of carbohydrates and protein, making it an ideal option for post-dinner consumption. This pairing supports muscle repair and recovery, especially if you've had an active day. Digestive Health: Dates are rich in fibre, which aids in digestion.

Should I rinse dates before eating? ›

Unaware of its consequences, dates are usually picked and graded with not very clean hands, and as a result, the date will be more permeable to germs. In addition, the fruit on the tree may be contaminated with dust or bird droppings and vermin. For this reason, it is recommended to wash dates before eating.

Do dates burn belly fat? ›

Dates are also a natural source of sugar. Therefore, they can provide a quick energy source without spiking blood sugar levels. However, it's important to note that eating dates alone can not reduce belly fat. A healthy diet and regular exercise are vital components for reducing belly fat.

Do dates detox your body? ›

In addition to being used as food for 6,000 years, dried dates have been used as a remedy for the following: Inducing Labor. Detoxing the Body. Inflammation.

What is the difference between Medjool dates and dates? ›

Large size, Lighter color, Soft dates with a chewy texture. Medjool dates are eaten fresh and are not dried. Medjool dates are larger and lighter in color than the deglet noor variety (regular dates), with a chewier texture. Slightly lower in fibre, higher in iron and calcium than regular dates.

Which dates are better dry or wet? ›

Since dry dates often contain significantly less moisture compared to fresh dates, that also means they can retain their flavours for a longer period of time. Fresh varieties, in comparison, are best enjoyed right away, but can also be kept refrigerated for up to six to eight months.

What happens to your body when you eat 2 dates a day? ›

The results showed a reduction in total cholesterol and an increase in HDL (good) cholesterol, which can improve heart health for those with Type 2 diabetes. In addition, the dates did not affect blood glucose levels, due to the low glycemic index.

What do dates do in a woman's body? ›

Apart from being an excellent substitute for refined sugar, dates can improve the skin, aid in losing weight, reduce belly fat, prevent hair loss, and provide support during pregnancy.

Are dried dates as nutritious as fresh dates? ›

Answer. The moisture content in dates changes when they are dried. When the moisture level decreases, the natural sugar in dates concentrates which increases caloric content. Like other dried fruit where nutrients become more concentrated as water is removed, dates become packed full of nutrition!

Does wet dates increase blood sugar? ›

Data shows no negative influence of dates, they do not increase your blood sugar level or lead to weight gain. Dates are nutrient-dense and if they are had rightly, factored in as part of your daily calorie allowance and not as an add-on, then they make for an excellent energy-giving serving of fruit.

Are Medjool dates healthier than other dates? ›

Dates offer a significant amount of fiber and variety of vitamins and minerals, including iron, potassium, B vitamins, copper, and magnesium ( 1 , 2 ). Compared with other common varieties like Deglet Noor, Medjool dates contain significantly more calcium ( 1 , 3 ).

Which type of date is best? ›

Ajwa dates

In essence, these are typically the best and most expensive kind of dates. Ajwa dates are often dark brown to black in appearance, soft, and dry. Compared to most other date kinds, they are a little bit smaller. Some people claim that the Ajwa variant tastes like chocolate caramel.

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