The doctor recommends eating the snack, which has multiple health benefits, daily
A doctor has shared the one ‘superfruit’ he eats “every single day” for gut and liver health. The fruit also helps keep your blood sugar under control, stops bloating and lowers risk of colon cancer.
Dr Jospeh Salhab, who posts on TikTok as @thestomachdoc, shared a clip about the benefits of eating dates each day. The doctor has a huge following of 1.9m on the app.
Dates are the fruit of the date palm tree, which is grown in many tropical regions of the world. They are also high in some important nutrients and have a variety of advantages and uses.
In the clip, titled “what happens when you eat this super fruit”, Dr Salhab said: “I eat two dates every single day for my gut and liver health and here’s why. I’m a board certified gastroenterologist so hit that follow button if you love these tips.
“First, it’s low on the glycemic index which means it’s blood sugar friendly. Number two, it increases two of the most beneficial gut bacteria that you could have including bifidobacterium and lactobacili, so it works as a prebiotic.
“Number three, it’s bloat friendly. It’s low in FODMAPs and can actually help improve constipation and stool frequency.
“Number four, people who eat more dates may have a lower risk of colon cancer because of its polyphenol content and because it helps a good bacteria make a compound called butyrate which can be protective against colon cancer.
“Number five, because of the polyphenol and antioxidant content people who eat more dates may have a lower risk of fatty liver disease.”
He added: “One of my favourite ways to eat this is to open up a date, add some walnuts in it and it makes a great healthy snack, especially in the morning. So share this with someone you love and hit that follow button if you love these tips.”
Since they’re dried, dates have a higher calorie count than most fresh fruit. Despite their calories, dates contain important vitamins and minerals in addition to a significant amount of fibre, which may be beneficial for preventing constipation and controlling blood sugar.
Dates have the potential to help with blood sugar regulation due to their low glycemic index, fibre, and antioxidants. According to Healthline, dates contain several types of antioxidants that may help prevent the development of certain chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes.
These include flavonoids, which help reduce inflammation, as well as carotenoids, which promote heart health. Dates also contain phenolic acid, which is know for its anti-inflammatory properties that could help lower the risk of cancer and heart disease.