Medjool dates are The Superfood For The Fellas that can help fill necessary nutritional gaps and support a man's health naturally.
Dates are a nutritional powerhouse that offers a caramel-sweet taste that melts in your mouth. And while it is known that these fruits provide a slew of health benefits, less known is that these little sweet treats are incredibly important for the wellbeing of men specifically.Men have unique needs when it comes to nutrition. And thankfully, medjool dates can fill many gaps when they are included in a balanced and good-for-you diet.
Among the obvious benefit that dates provide men --- being that they taste amazing – here are four top date benefits for men.
Dates May Support Male Fertility
Men are half of the equation when it comes to making a baby. And although the focus tends to fall on the female partner when it comes to supporting fertility, a whopping 1/3 of all infertility cases are due to male-factor reasons.
To understand how dates can help support male fertility, understanding what can damage sperm health is important. Sperm is highly susceptible to oxidative damage, which can be caused by many factors, including elevated stress, exposure to pollutants, and a diet rich in fried foods. Antioxidants can combat oxidative stress, thus supporting sperm health.📈
Like most other produce options, dates are a natural source of antioxidants, making them a natural choice to snack on to support sperm health. The date palm also affects certain hormonal levels in men, helping keep fertility in-check.
May Support Strong Bones
Think osteoporosis is only a female concern? Think again! As men age, their bone health can waver. And although only 5% of men over the age of 50 develop osteoporosis, almost 50% have diminished bone loss – putting them at an elevated risk of bone fractures.
Medjool dates contain bone-building nutrients like calcium and magnesium, which can help keep men’s bone health in tip-top shape💪. Along with not smoking, participating in resistance exercise, and eating a nutrient-dense diet that contains key bone-building nutrients, including dates in a man’s diet can be an important way to be proactive about his health.
May Protect Heart Health
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men in the United States. Along with supporting heart health by managing stress, including physical activity in your life, and limiting alcohol, eating a heart health-supporting diet that includes dates🌴
Thanks to the fiber, antioxidants, calcium, and magnesium that dates provide, eating this fruit can positively impact heart health. And since dates are naturally a no-added-sugar and sodium-free food that is also free from saturated and trans fats, this fruit is a natural heart-healthy choice that can take a sweet tooth in a good-for-you way ❤️
May Reduce Cancer Risk
Getting a cancer diagnosis is something that nobody is happy to get. And while many factors can play into a cancer diagnosis --- some being completely out of your control – dietary choices may play a role in many cases.
Among the many foods that have been linked to reducing cancer risk, fruits and vegetables tend to top the list 🥦🍎🥑🥕 And since dates are a natural fruit that is divinely tasting with a low glycemic index, adding this fruit to a man’s diet may help him take one step closer to living a cancer-free life – mainly if he includes his new date habit with an overall healthy lifestyle.
The Bottom line
Finding ways to support men’s health can be tricky for sure. But with a little bit of know-how, you can navigate the world of men’s wellness with little effort 😌 Including Medjool dates in an overall healthy diet is one very simple way to keep a man’s health in tip-top shape. So, whether you are tossing dates in your smoothie for some added sweetness with no-added-sugar or you are enjoying them stuffed with nut butter as a mid-day snack, including these sweet and nutritious fruits in a man’s diet is a no-fuss way to support a man’s health naturally.
Browse our yummy, organic medjool date recipes for some creative ideas to incorporate dates in sweet and savory ways.
Hungry for more? Check out even more health benefits of medjool dates and their immunity boosting benefits next!
Written by: Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LDN, CLEC, CPT
Registered Dietician, Nutritionist, Women's Health Expert and Freelance Writer
